Kraken Roast Coffee Black Spiced Rum
bold, smooth fusion of rich Arabica coffee and signature black spiced rum, delivering an intense espresso character that is perfectly balanced by the familiar warm spice of cinnamon and dark caramel
Type
Country
Producer
Featured Flavours
Alcohol %
40%
Serving Size
- 25ml
Suggested with
In Cocktails
Kraken Roast Coffee Black Spiced Rum
Upon pouring, Kraken Roast Coffee Rum unleashes an immediate and powerful aroma that commands the senses. The primary scent is not of alcohol, but of a freshly opened bag of dark-roast coffee beans—rich, earthy, and slightly smoky. This robust coffee profile is intricately laced with the familiar dark treacle and warm cinnamon signature of the original Kraken rum. The initial taste is a bold, unapologetic rush of rich espresso, carrying the pleasant, roasted bitterness of cacao nibs rather than an overt, sugary sweetness. It’s a flavour that is deep and invigorating, immediately awakening the palate with its concentrated coffee character.
As this initial coffee intensity settles, the classic spiced rum character emerges from the depths. The mid-palate reveals the complex soul of the spirit, where notes of rich molasses, scorched caramel, and a distinct hint of vanilla bean begin to unfold. The coffee and spice don’t compete; they meld into a harmonious profile where the bitterness of the roast is perfectly balanced by the rum’s inherent sweetness and a whisper of nutmeg and clove. The mouthfeel is exceptionally smooth and velvety, coating the tongue with a satisfying weight that feels both luxurious and dangerously drinkable.
The finish is long, warming, and deeply satisfying. The robust coffee flavour persists, but it softens and fades slowly into a gentle afterglow of cinnamon and dark chocolate. A subtle, pleasant warmth from the alcohol spreads through the chest, leaving a lingering taste that is part high-quality black coffee and part decadent, spiced dessert. It’s a complex and layered spirit that successfully marries the aromatic world of coffee with the sweet, mysterious depths of black spiced rum, creating an experience that is both invigorating and darkly indulgent.
The history of Kraken Roast Coffee Rum is a modern chapter in the much larger, mythologically-rich story of its parent brand, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum. To understand the coffee edition, one must first look to the origin of the original.
The Rise of the Original Beast
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum was introduced in 2010 by Proximo Spirits, an American beverage company. At a time when the spiced rum market was growing, Kraken carved out a unique and memorable identity. The base rum is a Caribbean spirit, reportedly from Trinidad and Tobago, distilled from molasses and aged for one to two years. It is then blended with a secret mix of 11 spices, including cinnamon, clove, and ginger.
What truly set the brand apart was its masterful marketing and lore. Eschewing a traditional “Caribbean paradise” theme, the creators built a narrative around the mythical Kraken, a legendary sea monster known for its immense size and ferocity. The brand’s story claims that a ship carrying a massive shipment of black spiced rum was attacked by the beast. The ship and its crew were dragged to the depths, with only a single barrel of rum surviving, which was badly stained by the Kraken’s ink, giving the rum its signature black colour. This dark, mysterious theme was perfectly captured in its distinctive Victorian-style flagon bottle, complete with two loop handles.
A Natural Brand Extension: The Arrival of Coffee
Building on the immense success and cult following of the original, Proximo Spirits expanded the product line. The Kraken Roast Coffee Rum was launched as a limited edition around 2020. The creation of this flavour was a strategic move, capitalizing on two major consumer trends: the enduring popularity of spiced rum and the surging demand for coffee-flavoured spirits and cocktails, most notably the Espresso Martini.
The history of the Roast Coffee edition is one of synergistic branding. The dark, bold, and intense character of roasted coffee beans was a perfect match for the established “dark and mysterious” persona of The Kraken. It was marketed not simply as a coffee liqueur, but as a true fusion—the signature black spiced rum infused with the essence of Arabica coffee beans. This allowed the brand to appeal to both its loyal rum-drinking base and a new audience of coffee lovers, creating a spirit that was both familiar in its spiced notes and excitingly new with its robust coffee profile.
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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.
