Last Updated on February 25, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Out of all the rum bottles available in the market today, this has to be the most mysterious. The Kraken Black Spiced Rum owes its dark essence and rich flavor to the 13 top secret spices blended in during production.
Kraken Rum is rich in color yet smooth in taste. The vintage, pirate-style bottle is gorgeous when displayed in your liquor cabinet and is surprisingly affordable. Let’s take a closer look at the prices.
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ToggleKraken’s Tropical History
Kraken Rum is fairly new to the rum market, having been released only ten years ago in 2009. It originated in Trinidad and Tobago and is now being distributed in the United States.
The name Kraken comes from a mythical sea monster hiding in the depths of Norway. Legend depicts it as a gigantic, fearsome beast with an octopus-like appearance. This creature attacked sailors and plundered ships that ferried in the Caribbean region. [1]
During a chance Kraken attack resulting in destroyed ships, all rum bottles except for one were destroyed. The survivors created the first bottle of Kraken Rum out of this very bottle — thus began the tradition.
Although whether or not this creature (or this story) actually exists is still up for debate — one thing’s for sure: this monster is the inspiration for the Kraken Rum.
The black rum is rich, black, bold, and strong — just like the monster in the Caribbean sea.
Compared to Other Rum Brands
Kraken Rum is created from distilled sugarcane and molasses, just like other rum products. The spirit is usually aged for one to two years in oak barrels before bottling. Kraken Rum is rich with spices like vanilla, apples, clove, and ginger and has strong essences people wouldn’t expect from such a young rum.
Based on prices, Kraken Rum is fairly inexpensive yet won’t compromise on quality.
These two brands are almost in the same price range. The difference boils down to taste — the Kraken brand is known for its deep flavor profiles, while Malibu rums have fresher, more tropical flavors. So, how many Malibu shots will get you drunk?
The Bacardi brand does not have a black spiced rum variety in its long list of products (what they do have, though, is black, spiced gold, and fruit-flavored rums). These two brands have the same price point.
Both Captain Morgan and Kraken brands produce black spiced rums, but a bottle of 750ml Captain Morgan is slightly more expensive at around $24. The Captain also makes other rum varieties, such as spiced and gold rums. Both brands have infused the traditional Caribbean rum flavors in their black spiced rums.
Just like Kraken, Sailor Jerry only makes one classification which is the spiced rum. These two brands are also at the same level price point.
How to Drink It
As the world’s first black spiced rum, the Kraken Rum is aromatic with spice, and we recommend enjoying it straight.
The bottle is dark, almost black in color. They have never revealed the 13 secret spices infused in the rum, but we detected notes of toasted brown sugar, molasses, and caramel. These, along with more spicy flavors like nutmeg, spice clove, and ginger. It goes without saying that this is an excellent choice for sipping rum.
Common Kraken Rum Prices
Type |
Size | Proof |
Average Prices |
Kraken Black Spiced Rum | 375 ml | 94 |
$10.99 – $16.99 |
750 ml |
94 | $18.99 – $19.99 | |
1.75 L | 94 |
$26.99 – $29.99 |
|
Kraken Black Roast Coffee Rum |
750 ml | 66 | Starts at around $19 |
Kraken Black Spiced Rum Dark Label | 750 ml | 70 |
Starts at around $19 |
Popular Kraken-based Cocktails
Have you ever had a Zombie Tentacle? That’s just one of the cocktail recipes this iconic brand created for their rum. This Caribbean rum features the flavors of 13 spices, and it would be a waste not to experiment with different additions until you find your personal favorite.
Remember that fresh ingredients are key to delicious drinks. Try these easy cocktail recipes using Kraken Spiced Rum:
Black Mojito
The classic Mojito is a staple in every bar and home — it’s a foolproof recipe and uses simple ingredients that you can find in your own pantry. Impress your guests by making a Black Mojito instead!
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- 1 tablespoon sugar or simple syrup
- Club soda
- Lime
- Mint leaves
- Ice
Directions:
Muddle the mint leaves in a shaker to release all the natural flavors and oils. Put in the other ingredients and shake well to combine everything together. Make sure to strain the mixture and serve in a tall glass with ice. Garnish with lime wedges.
Coffee & Rum
It’s not just Bailey’s that mixes well with your coffee — a shot of Kraken Black Spiced Rum is also a delicious complement (if not better!) to a warm cup of coffee.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- 1 cup black coffee
- Sugar and creamer to taste
Directions:
Pour in a shot of rum to a cup of hot coffee and add in sugar and creamer according to your preference. For something a little bit fancier, you can whip up some cream to create froth on top and sprinkle with cinnamon powder.
Rum Sunset
A tall glass of Rum Sunset is the best way to end the day watching, well, the sunset. This is a surprisingly easy drink to make that only requires a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- 6 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces grenadine
- Lime wedges
Directions:
Shake all the ingredients well together to marry the flavors and present in a tall glass with ice. Garnish with lime wedges.
Zombie Tentacle
The name Zombie Tentacle sounds like it just came out of a horror movie. This cocktail is definitely unique and will impress guests at your next Halloween party.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce orange curacao
- ¼ ounce cinnamon syrup
- ¼ ounce grenadine
- 2 dashes absinthe
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Mint leaves
Directions:
Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and give it a good jiggle. Transfer to a tall glass with lots of ice and garnish with a mint leaf.
Spiced Rum Punch
The Spiced Rum Punch is a great beverage that glams up the pirate’s chosen liquor. The best part is, you’ll be getting the experience of not one but two liquors with the addition of bubbly champagne in this beverage.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- ½ ounce pear puree
- 1 dash blueberry liquor
- Champagne
- Pear wheels for garnish
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients sans the champagne into a shaker and mix well until all flavors have married together. Pour into fancy cocktail glasses and top off with champagne, and garnish with a pear wheel. Fruit options include maraschino cherries and raspberries — they work just as great in this recipe.
The Bitter Beast
The Bitter Beast is another one of the brand’s signature cocktails. This has addicting bitter notes that you’ll find yourself making quite frequently.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Kraken Black Spiced Rum
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 5 ounces orange juice
- 1 dash of lemon-lime soda
- 2 dashes of orange bitters
Directions:
Give ice cubes a whir in the blender until you have crushed ice, then transfer to a tall glass. Put the rum, triple sec, and orange juice, and add in the single dash of soda and orange bitters in that order. Mix well with a bar spoon.
FAQs
Does Kraken Rum have squid ink in it?
No. Contrary to the brand’s story, the Kraken Rum does not have actual squid ink in it.
What is the best thing to mix with Kraken Rum?
Kraken Rum has 13 spices that blend well with different mixers. You can try mixing in tropical fruit juices such as mango and pineapple, but lemonade, malt beer or ginger beer, and apple cider are great recommendations too. And, of course, you can never go wrong with the classic coke and soda water for mixers.
What’s the best way to drink Kraken rum?
It’s best to drink Kraken rum straight. A bottle of Kraken Rum that you can get at any liquor store has an ABV of 47 percent and a proof of 94.
How long does Kraken Rum last?
You can store an unopened bottle of Kraken Rum in your liquor cabinet indefinitely. Once opened, the effect of oxygen in the spirit compounds will ultimately affect its taste. It’s best to finish spirits within two years once the bottle is opened.
Is Kraken considered a good rum?
Yes, Kraken is generally considered a good rum by many enthusiasts. It has gained popularity for its unique flavor profile and distinctive branding.
What is special about Kraken rum?
Kraken is known for its rich and spiced flavor profile, with notes of molasses, cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices. Its unique bottle design and dark color contribute to its distinctive and memorable presence on the shelf.
Is Kraken rum the same as Captain Morgan?
No, Kraken and Captain Morgan are different rum brands. While both are popular, they have distinct flavor profiles, branding, and characteristics.
What type of alcohol is Kraken?
Kraken is a type of spiced black rum. It is made from molasses and infused with a blend of spices, contributing to its unique taste.
How strong is Kraken alcohol?
Kraken typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40%, which is standard for many rums and spirits.
What is the best rum in the world?
Determining the “best” rum is subjective and depends on personal taste preferences. Various rums have received acclaim, including premium aged rums like Ron Diplomático and Appleton Estate.
Can you drink Kraken rum straight?
Yes, Kraken rum can be enjoyed straight due to its distinctive flavor. Some people prefer sipping it neat or on the rocks to appreciate its complex taste.
What is the best thing to mix with Kraken Rum?
Kraken pairs well with a variety of mixers. It’s commonly used in cocktails like the Kraken and Cola or in creative mixes with ginger beer, fruit juices, or even in coffee-based cocktails.
Why is Kraken rum so dark?
The dark color of Kraken rum is attributed to its aging process and the use of caramel coloring.
The rum is aged in oak barrels, which imparts both color and additional flavor to the final product. Caramel coloring is often added to enhance the deep, dark hue.
In Summary
This spirit from Trinidad and Tobago is one of the few in world history to be named after a legendary fearsome beast, so you can expect that this drink will definitely pack a punch. It brought a perfect storm to the industry.
Rum may be a drink that can be quite intimidating to get into if you’re new to liquor, but a great quality rum like Kraken Black Spiced Rum can be a great starting point for you. Not to mention the affordable prices.
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