The sugar cane grows right down to the coast in Trinidad, and the molasses from it ends up in tall distillation columns. The rum that comes out is young and raw. Then come the spices. And then comes the bottle with two handles on the neck and a sea monster dragging a sailing ship into the deep.
Expert description
Kraken Spiced Black Trinidad Rum is a Spiced Rum from Trinidad, made from molasses rum aged 1-2 years and bottled at 40%.
The base rum comes from Angostura Distillery in Trinidad, where it is column-distilled from cane molasses. After a couple of years in cask it is blended with a spice recipe that Proximo Spirits keeps close to its chest. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves are the only ones officially confirmed. Caramel gives it its final, almost jet-black colour, which is also why it cannot claim to be naturally coloured.
Kraken hit the market in 2010 and quickly became the bottle people pointed at behind the bar before they had even tasted it. The name comes from the Norse legend of the sea monster, and the bottle shape is copied from old Victorian rum bottles with two handles on the neck, so they could be lashed down on board a ship in rough weather.
It is a rum built to be mixed. The sweetness and spices stand up strongly enough to be felt through ginger beer, cola and coffee without disappearing.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Vanilla and caramel first, heavy and sweet. Then cinnamon, a touch of lime and something reminiscent of coffee grounds and liquorice.
Palate
Thick and syrupy. Molasses, brown sugar, cloves and nutmeg, with a dark roasted note in the background like espresso and toasted oak.
Finish
Long and peppery. The spices linger, the sweetness fades slowly.
Specifications
Name: Kraken Spiced Black Trinidad Rum 40%
Distillery: Angostura Distillery
Bottler: Proximo Spirits
Region/Country: Trinidad and Tobago
Type: Spiced Rum
Age: 1-2 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Natural colour: No
Distillation method: Column distilled
Serving suggestion: Tall glass with plenty of ice, ginger beer and a big wedge of lime
Flavour Profile
Spiced · Sweet · Vanilla · Dark · Cinnamon
Did You Know?
Kraken is sold in the US at 47%, while the European bottling sits at 40%. Same black bottle, same label - just a touch sharper on the other side of the Atlantic.
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