***1.14.10 Moved to correct location.

My journey through the wild world of alcohol started some time prior to me actually being of legal age.  At that time, of course, one took what he could get, so I was brought up on such fine offerings as Old English and St. Ide's 40s, Mezcal Tequila (yes, the one with the worm, which I apparently [judging from the yarns spun by friends of mine] devoured on several occasions), and just about any case of beer I could get my hands on.  I've always been more of a whiskey drinker; there's just something about a hearty bourbon that I've always found appealing.  In the last two years, I've set out exploring uncharted territories, perusing the other shelves at the local state store (god_damned Pennsylvania liquor laws!), and have discovered some amazing things. 

One of my most rewarding discoveries was Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, a robust 92 proof drink that has the kick of a whiskey and a caramel-like taste and aroma.  Prior to discovering "The Sailor," when I thought of rum, I thought of Captain Morgan, whose wimpy alcohol content and generally displeasing fruity taste I avoided at all costs.  Sailor Jerry, though, was a rum that I could drink just about anytime; it was smooth and very palatable, mixing well with most any "off" soda such as Dr. Pepper or root beer.

A few months ago, a friend turned me on to another legit rum that has most of the qualities of Sailor Jerry, but a slightly different look and taste.  The Kraken Black Spiced Rum looks plain imposing and scary on the shelf, packaged in a weird looking bottle with handles on the top (perfect for carrying this bottle around and drinking at will by the way).  The design of the bottle features a demonic-looking octopus wrapped around a ship, with neat graphic design talking about the legend of this mythical creature.  I find the Kraken to have one of the more unique bottles and design of any liquor I've come across in a while.  It's definitely a bottle that could be displayed proudly in a collection.

Compared with the reddish-brown color of Sailor Jerry, Kraken is black or at the very least, in quantity, a rich and dark brown color.  Upon opening my first bottle of The Kraken, I immediately could affirm that, yes, this was a hearty rum, packing a 94 proof punch that is mind-boggling compared with the more popular, lesser proofed varieties.  Kraken has an aroma that meets the drinker with a spicy mixture of smells; it definitely has a caramelly aspect to it, but there's additional elements that give it an odor all its own.

If I could give the reader a bit of advice, it's that The Kraken is not a drink to be taken lightly.  It's fairly smooth, able to be consumed even in shot form easily, but one can instantly tell that this is a liquor with a kick to it.  Frankly, these high-proof rums have a tendency to make me rowdy if I really get going on them, and may prove too strong for some drinkers. 

I've found that the best way to consume Kraken is mixing it with a root or birch beer or Dr. Pepper.  The spicy flavor of the soda mixes well with the taste of the rum, giving the taster a potent yet highly drinkable concoction.  It also mixes nicely with cola, the carbonation really adding to the overall enjoyment of the drink.

Being someone who adamantly disliked rum prior to discovering the stronger rums such as The Kraken, I have to say that this drink opened new doors.  Instead of the woody taste of most bourbons, The Kraken boasts an intriguing mixture of various Caribbean spices.  It's aromatic and smooth even at 94 proof, and its one of my favorite drinks especially at the price.  I paid $15.99 for a 750 mL bottle, which is less than most comparable products.  While it may prove too strong for some people, the strength is really what I like about it.  It's a sipping drink with a kick and to me, it's way more palatable than the obnoxiously fruity lower-proofed rums.  For the adventurous drinker whose tastes have encompassed many different types and varieties of liquor and who isn't afraid of the strong stuff, I'd give The Kraken a high recommendation. 

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An entry in melissamarie21's "Best and Worst 2009 Alcohols Write-Off."  Please check out the links for more info.  Special thanks to the host of this fun write-off...for now I'm off to enjoy more rum!

Recommended: Yes