Kraken Black Cherry and Vanilla Rum
Kraken Black Cherry bold and smooth spiced rum delivers an indulgent wave of luscious black cherry and creamy vanilla, expertly balanced against the signature warmth of caramel and exotic spices
Type
Country
Producer
Alcohol %
40%
Serving Size
- 25ml
Suggested with
In Cocktails
A Dive into the Flavours of Kraken Black Cherry and Vanilla Rum
An aromatic and flavourful twist on the classic dark spiced rum, The Kraken Black Cherry and Vanilla Rum edition offers a bold, fruit-forward experience that marries the familiar warmth of spice with luscious, dark fruit and creamy sweetness. This rum is an immediate sensory experience, beginning with a rich and inviting aroma that sets the stage for the taste to come.
Upon pouring, this dark rum, with its deep amber and purplish hues, releases a profusion of scents. The initial wave is one of sweet, ripe black cherry, reminiscent of cherry jam or a decadent cherry liqueur. This is quickly followed by the comforting and aromatic scent of Madagascan vanilla, which adds a creamy, dessert-like quality. Lurking beneath these dominant notes are the signature spices of Kraken rum – hints of molasses, toffee, cinnamon, and a touch of clove, creating a complex and enticing bouquet that promises a rich and flavourful sip.
The first taste delivers on the aromatic promise with an immediate burst of juicy black cherry. The flavour is both sweet and slightly tart, avoiding an overly synthetic taste in favour of a deeper, more robust fruitiness. This is expertly balanced by a smooth, velvety vanilla undercurrent that coats the palate, softening the initial fruit intensity. The classic Kraken spice profile then emerges, with notes of rich caramel, warming wood, and a subtle spiciness that lingers pleasantly. The combination of the dark fruit and creamy vanilla with the traditional spiced rum base creates a harmonious and well-rounded flavour profile that is both indulgent and surprisingly versatile.
The finish is long, smooth, and complex. The warmth of the spices gently fades, leaving a delightful aftertaste of sweet cherry and creamy vanilla. It’s a satisfying conclusion that avoids being overly sweet, instead inviting another sip to experience the intricate layers of flavour once more. While it can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, its bold character truly shines when mixed, particularly with cola, which enhances both the cherry and vanilla notes to create a sophisticated twist on a classic pairing.
The history of The Kraken Black Cherry and Vanilla Rum is a recent chapter in the broader, captivating story of The Kraken brand itself. Launched in 2010 by Proximo Spirits, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum quickly made a splash in the spirits world with its distinctive branding and rich, dark profile. The entire brand is built upon a carefully crafted nautical legend: a ship carrying a massive quantity of Caribbean black spiced rum was supposedly attacked by the mythical Kraken.
All barrels were lost to the sea, except for one, which was badly stained by the beast’s black ink, forever changing the rum within. This narrative of mystery, darkness, and the power of the sea is reflected in the rum’s black colour and its Victorian-style flagon bottle.
Building on the global success of the original, the brand began to expand its “tentacles” into flavoured variations, each with its own addition to the lore. The Kraken Black Cherry and Vanilla Rum emerged in the UK around the spring of 2023 as a bold new expression. Its creation is woven directly into the brand’s mythology, with a tale suggesting that seafaring crews would carry black cherries and Madagascan vanilla pods as a supposed remedy for the venomous bites from Kraken suckers.
This flavour extension represents a strategic move to appeal to the growing demand for flavoured rums, combining the signature spice blend of the original with the popular and complementary notes of dark fruit and creamy vanilla. It maintains the core identity of The Kraken—dark, smooth, and mysterious—while offering a more approachable and fruit-forward profile that works exceptionally well in modern cocktails.
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At its heart, The Kraken is a Caribbean rum, widely believed to originate from Trinidad and Tobago, distilled from naturally sweet molasses. After being aged in oak barrels for 12 to 24 months, this base rum is infused with a secret blend of around 13 spices. While the exact recipe is guarded, the dominant flavour notes are unmistakably rich and warm: cinnamon, Madagascan vanilla, clove, ginger, and nutmeg, all underscored by a deep, dark caramel sweetness.
Its iconic, near-black colour is central to its identity. This is achieved with caramel colouring, which not only provides the visual drama but also enhances the smooth, toffee-like finish. In the UK, the flagship rum is bottled at a standard 40% ABV. The result is a rum that is intentionally bold, smooth, and easily drinkable, making it highly accessible compared to more traditional, funky rums.
