The Kraken Black Spiced Rum

THIS is the last in my mini series on rums, but don't worry, I'll be returning to this spirit again in the months to come.
    I've tasted a few quality rums over the last few weeks - most of which are fairly easy to track down either online or from specialist retailers. But for this entry, I thought I would go for The Kraken, which you should be able to find without looking too hard.
    The first thing you'll notice is the distinctive bottle, which features double rings on the neck which - I suppose - are there to hook your fingers around before you take a generous glug straight from the bottle. Don't do this as a) you're guaranteed to spill it down your favourite shirt and b) this is not the ideal way to enjoy your rum!
    The second thing you are bound to notice is The Kraken's label. It's a bit of a beauty, featuring the titular mythical beast wrapping its tentacles around a galleon before dragging it down to Davy Jones' Locker. Both the label and the bottle make this one jump right off the shelf, but is it any good? Let's pour a glass - remember, no swilling from the bottle - and find out.
    On the nose there's Cherry Coke, root beer, black cherries, molasses, vanilla, cough medicine, lemon and even a trace of mint chocolate - I'm thinking specifically of a mint Aero bar.
    On the palate, The Kraken has a slightly oily feel and has bags of creamy butterscotch, cloves, vanilla, espresso, black cherries and flat cola, while the finish has more cherries, black peppercorns, wood, coffee and that medicinal note returns.
    I rather like The Kraken for an occasional sip, but where it really comes into its own is in rum cocktails, where it slaps you about the face and imparts wonderful flavours.
    The Kraken is bottled at 40% and is fairly cheap - expect to pay between £20-£25 for a bottle and for that price, you really can't go wrong.

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