Honestly can y’all just send me a 5 pound bag of the Krackel because this is the only way I can find them, and they SLAP.
Krackel is just Hershey’s version of a Nestles Crunch.
Yeah, I personally don’t like the Crunch. But Krackel all day
They’re practically identical with crisped rice. Krackel might be a bit harder to bite and my taste buds detect a dark chocolate bitterness while Crunch is smooth milk chocolate
In what seems to have been consumer taste testing, adults seemed to prefer Krackle because of the taste you mention. Kids liked the sweeter taste and smoothnes of Crunch. I like both with maybe a slight edge to Hershey’s less sweet chocolate taste, but if I recall, Crunch has a slight waxyness to its chocolate somewhat similar to Cadbury chocalte (which I find too oily). It is described by others in the following article who had similar perception of waxy consistency. On the other hand, Crunch uses natural Vanilla. Krackle uses artifical Vanillin which causes headaches in a few persons.
Note; There was formula change by Hersheys in 2007 where Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) was added which helps give a chocolate-like taste. Not thrilled with more food additives but this one is an emulsifier made from glycerol and fatty acids. It seems innocuous enough. I bought a bag.
Such a long-winded reply to prove a point. Ok you’re right and I’m wrong. 
I actually was agreeing with you about the “…my taste buds detect a dark chocolate bitterness while Crunch is smooth milk chocolate” - and trying to figure out from a food science part and support why you are indeed right.
How long ago was it that these were US$0.33 an ounce (at retail)?