Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Review: The Kraken Black Spiced Rum  79/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted March 28, 2010

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum is a new spiced rum from Proximo Spirits. It  is an imported black rum from the Caribbean, reputedly infused with 11 secret spices. The rum is named after the legendary sea monster which is claimed to have attacked sea ships  during the 18th and 19th centuries. This is a 94 proof black spiced rum.

For more information, visit www.krakenrum.com.  (The website is kind of cool.)

In the Bottle 4/5.0

I guess I am not as enamored as some with the The Kraken style. The Victorian  bottle is cool enough with its double ringed ‘jug’ look, and the label features a nice  illustration of a giant octopod. Although there is nothing really wrong with the presentation, the illustration of the squid-like beast looks amateurish, and the lack of colour on the labeling  makes the entire presentation look kind of cheap rather than cool.

In the Glass 8.5/10

The rum is very dark with what looks like a kind of dark brown and plum colouration. A moderate amount of legs are apparent when I swirl the glass, and a mildly spicy licorice, cinnamon and molasses rise into the air.  I catch faint wiffs of cloves, plum preserves, and black cherries as well. However, I also catch a very vaguely medicinal aroma maybe a bit like cough syrup.

In the Mouth 47/60

There is a lot of different flavours here, but to me, this seems to be not very well conceived in terms of balance. Licorice, cinnamon, and black cherry lead out in front of a rummy molasses. I sense that the crafters of this rum are going for a taste profile similar to, but milder than Goslings Black Seal. In fact there is a lot of similarity to Goslings including a definite impression of Jagermeifter. However the Goslings Black Seal has a deeper, darker, more foreboding flavour profile which works well. The Kraken which has a lighter and sweeter taste profile just seems to never find its own place. It is as if the spices were thrown in, just for the sake of having them rather than for how they would work together in a lighter sweeter spirit.

In the Throat  11.5/15

I am impressed that a 47 per cent alcohol by volume spirit has such a smooth finish. Although the finish is nice and long, it is also filled with hints of menthol which spoil the final moments.

The Afterburn  8/10

I never really warmed up to the Kraken which just seemed to miss the mark for me. The rum needs more… well rum flavour in the profile. It should be richer. The menthol I kept tasting was very disconcerting as well. It seemed to clash with the other spices and take away rather than add to the rum.

Suggested Cocktail:

The website for The Kraken Spiced Black Rum suggests mixing this rum with cola or ginger ale.  They also suggest a cocktail with an energy drink. I am going to go in a completely different direction. I am suggesting a cocktail with Peach Schnapps and pineapple juice. I call this. My Pet Squid

My Pet Squid

2 oz Kraken Black Spiced Rum
1/2 to 3/4 oz Peach schnapps
splash of Pineapple juice

Serve in a small rocks glass with Ice

Remember the aim is to drink better spirits not more spirits!