Kraken Spiced Rum 750ML

Kraken Spiced Rum 750ML is a 94-proof (47% ABV) black spiced rum distilled in Trinidad and Tobago from local sugar cane molasses, blended with a proprietary mix of 13 spices. Marketed as the world's first black spiced rum, its dramatically dark color and higher-than-typical proof set it apart in a category dominated by lighter, lower-proof expressions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 Proof)  |  Origin: Trinidad and Tobago  |  Style: Black Spiced Rum  |  Distributed by: Proximo Spirits

Production & Heritage

Kraken takes its name from the legendary sea creature of Nordic mythology, and the brand leans heavily into that nautical mythology across its packaging and identity. The rum itself is distilled in Trinidad and Tobago using molasses derived from locally grown sugar cane, then aged in oak barrels to build body and depth before being blended with a secret combination of 13 spices. At 47% ABV, it carries considerably more weight than most spiced rums on the market, which typically sit around 35% ABV — a distinction that gives Kraken more backbone in cocktails and more intensity when sipped neat. The brand is distributed by Proximo Spirits, based in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with sweet caramel and toffee before giving way to warm baking spices. Cinnamon and clove emerge alongside darker accents of coffee and a faint licorice undertone.

Taste: The entry is rich and sweet, with caramel and toffee leading into a mid-palate dominated by vanilla and clove. Cinnamon and nutmeg build steadily through the middle, balanced by subtle coffee bitterness that keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. The higher proof delivers a noticeable warmth that amplifies each spice layer.

Finish: Bold and spicy with lingering cinnamon heat and a trace of dark molasses. The finish is medium-long with a dry, peppery edge that distinguishes it from smoother, lower-proof competitors.

How to Drink Kraken

At 47% ABV, Kraken holds up well neat or over a single large ice cube, which tempers the proof and opens up the vanilla and toffee notes. Its real strength, though, is behind the bar — the dark color and assertive spice profile cut through mixers that would flatten a lighter rum.

• Dark & Stormy: Kraken's bold molasses character and higher proof stand up to sharp ginger beer without disappearing.
• Rum Old Fashioned: The built-in spice complexity means you need very little additional sweetener — the vanilla and cinnamon do the heavy lifting.
• Kraken and Cola: A straightforward highball where the rum's dark color and baking-spice intensity add dimension to a classic serve.

Best For

• Rum drinkers looking to step up from standard 35% ABV spiced expressions
• Home bartenders building a cocktail-forward rum collection
• Halloween or themed gatherings where the bold branding and dark color make a visual statement
• Gifting someone who appreciates spirits with distinctive packaging and higher proof

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kraken taste like? Kraken delivers layers of caramel, vanilla, and toffee balanced by cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, with subtle coffee and licorice accents underneath. The 94-proof strength gives it a spicy warmth that lingers well beyond the last sip.

How does Kraken compare to Captain Morgan Spiced Rum? Kraken is bottled at 47% ABV compared to Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum's 35% ABV, which gives it noticeably more intensity and a bolder spice profile. Kraken also skews darker in color and flavor, emphasizing molasses and coffee notes, whereas Captain Morgan tends toward a lighter, sweeter vanilla-forward character.

Is Kraken good for cocktails? Kraken is one of the strongest spiced rums available at 94 proof, which means it maintains its flavor when mixed with ginger beer, cola, or citrus. Its assertive spice blend and dark color make it a go-to choice for Dark & Stormys and rum Old Fashioneds.

Where is Kraken made? Kraken is distilled in Trinidad and Tobago using molasses from locally grown sugar cane. It is distributed in the United States by Proximo Spirits, headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.

What foods pair well with Kraken? Jerk chicken or pork — the cinnamon and clove in the rum echo Caribbean spice rubs. Dark chocolate truffles complement the coffee and toffee notes. Grilled pineapple with brown sugar mirrors the caramel sweetness. Pecan pie plays into the vanilla and nutmeg profile. Smoked ribs with a molasses-based barbecue sauce create a natural flavor bridge.

What sizes does Kraken come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, though Kraken is also commonly available in 1L and 1.75L formats depending on market availability.

Is Kraken worth the price? Kraken positions as a mid-range spiced rum that punches above its price tier thanks to its 94-proof strength and complex 13-spice blend. For drinkers who find standard spiced rums too sweet or too mild, it represents strong value per pour.

Why Kraken?

Kraken carved out its own niche as the first black spiced rum on the market, and the combination of 47% ABV and a 13-spice blend gives it a profile that few competitors in the category can match for intensity. Where many spiced rums rely on sweetness and low proof to appeal broadly, Kraken goes in the opposite direction — darker, bolder, and built to hold its own in a glass with nothing but ice. The oak-barrel aging adds a layer of rounded complexity that keeps the spice from feeling one-dimensional. For anyone who has outgrown milder spiced rums and wants something with genuine backbone, Kraken remains one of the most distinctive and widely available options in its class.