Hakushu 12 Year Old vs Jameson 4.5L

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Hakushu 12 Year OldJameson 4.5L
DistilleryHakushuJameson
Region
CountryJapanIreland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV43%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£149.95£169.5
Rating4.24/55.00/5

Hakushu 12 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner60/100
Value28/100

Jameson 4.5L

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value29/100

Hakushu 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Jameson 4.5L

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Jameson 4.5L is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.24).

Hakushu 12 Year Old is better value at £150 vs £170.

For beginners: Jameson 4.5L is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Hakushu 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£149.95 vs £169.5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.2 vs 5.0)

Jameson 4.5L

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£169.5 vs £149.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Hakushu?

Hakushu 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Who should buy Jameson?

Jameson 4.5L suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh Fruit

Only Hakushu 12 Year Old

SmokeyLeafyGreen-House

Only Jameson 4.5L

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

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