Kraken Black Spiced Rum

Kraken Black Spiced Rum. Proximo Spirits, Caribbean — a blend of Trinidad & Tobago Caribbean dark rums infused with over a dozen spices including cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg, aged two years in oak barrels before spicing, and bottled at 47% ABV in the iconic Victorian-style jug handle bottle.

The legend goes that the largest shipment of Caribbean black spiced rum ever transported across the Atlantic never reached its destination. The culprit, whispered among sailors, was the Kraken — the mythic sea beast of Scandinavian legend whose ink-dark waters gave the rum its color and its name. The bottle itself is a nod to the era: a replica Victorian flagon with jug handles, designed so it could be hung on board ships rather than rolling loose across the deck.

Launched in 2010, Kraken built one of the most distinctive visual identities in the spiced rum category and backed it with a product that delivers: a dark, boldly spiced rum bottled at 47% ABV — higher than most competitors and high enough to hold its own in cocktails. The Caribbean rum base is aged two years in oak before being infused with the proprietary spice blend, which is then macerated before bottling. The result is a rum that is darker, bolder, and more spice-forward than Captain Morgan, sweeter and richer than Sailor Jerry, and perfectly calibrated for cola, ginger beer, and autumn cocktails.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Caramel, toffee, and big spice. Vanilla is prominent, with licorice, molasses, and hints of cherry and marzipan underneath.
• Palate: Sweet and full-bodied. Cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and vanilla dominate with dark molasses, brown sugar, and hints of mocha and chocolate. A sticky, robust texture coats the palate.
• Finish: Long, lingering, and spicy. Vanilla persists alongside cinnamon and a subtle drying effect from the spice blend.

Specs

• Origin: Trinidad & Tobago Caribbean rum base, Proximo Spirits
• Style: Black Spiced Rum
• Aging: 2 years in oak barrels before spicing and infusion
• Spices: Proprietary blend of 11+ spices including cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg
• ABV: 47% (94 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Kraken Black Spiced Rum taste like? Caramel, toffee, and big vanilla on the nose with licorice and molasses. Sweet and full-bodied on the palate with cinnamon, clove, cardamom, dark molasses, and mocha. Long, lingering, spicy finish with persistent vanilla.
• Why is Kraken so dark? The black color comes from caramel coloring added to the two-year-aged Caribbean rum base. The brand intentionally builds the most dramatic visual in the spiced rum category — the color is deeper than most competitors, evoking the ink of the mythic sea creature it is named after.
• What is the best way to drink Kraken? Kraken and cola is the classic serve — the boldness of the rum cuts through cola's sweetness perfectly. Also excellent with ginger beer, apple cider, or as a float on a dark and stormy. For cocktails, the Kraken Sour (rum, lemon, sugar, egg white) lets the spice shine.
• How does Kraken compare to Captain Morgan and Sailor Jerry? Kraken is darker, sweeter, and more cardamom-and-clove forward than Captain Morgan. It is sweeter and heavier than Sailor Jerry, which leans drier and more cinnamon-forward. Kraken is the choice for bold, dark cola drinks; Sailor Jerry for cocktails requiring more structure.
• What is the story behind the Victorian jug bottle? The bottle is a replica of a Victorian-era flagon with jug handles — the design references the 19th century period when Caribbean rum was shipped by sea. The jug handles were practical aboard ships, allowing bottles to be hung securely rather than rolling loose.