UPDATE – This is how clueless I am about rum – I was told shortly after I posted this that Jack Daniels is whiskey, not rum. Well, I don’t like whiskey either! Enjoy the read. Laugh if you want.. 😉

I’ve never been a fan of rum. I was first introduced to it with a strong Jack Daniels and Coke in my early party days, perhaps at a cheap bar we used to frequent as school kids in my hometown of Nottingham, and after one sip vowed I would never touch it again. It got to the point that even smelling it from someone elses glass or on their breath was enough to make me wretch.

As I have grown older and have been able to afford to visit better quality bars, I have come to realise that not all rum drinks should taste like Jack Daniels and Coke. Perhaps the Coke was a problem – I can’t touch Vodka and Coke, but one of my favourite drinks is Vodka and Soda. But then again, Coke is one of my favourite soft drinks. Strange.

Anyway, an email popped into my inbox a few weeks ago asking if I wanted to try a bottle of The Kraken – Black Spiced Rum. My immediate reaction was thanks but no thanks and I duly explained my hatred for rum. But this PR is good and subtley persuasive and after a few email exchanges I found myself typing out my address for delivery.

The bottle arrived a few days later and I was immediately impressed with the branding and bottle. I knew I had to try it but waited for the perfect opportunity and not usually one to drink in the house, it took a few weeks to find that opportunity. We had some friends around to our house before heading out to a club in West London and I Krakened (sorry) it open.

We used a cocktail recipe provided to us, which was a simple mix of Kraken, ginger beer, lime juice and ice. As I poured, I could smell the sweet spiced rum and looked forward to tasting it. I dished out the other cups, braced myself and took a sip. It tasted sweet, lightly spiced with cinnamon, ginger and clove and utterly delicious. Surprised, I took the glass and finished it before anyone else had a chance to drink half. I quickly poured myself another glass, then another and before I knew it I was dancing around my room with flushed cheeks.

The hangover the next day didn’t serve me too well and I regretted having perhaps a little too much to drink before I left the house. But I’m happy to say that I will gladly be serving this to my friends at home in the future.

Perfect Storm – Easy Serve

Ingredients:
25-50ml Kraken Black Spiced Rum
Top up with Ginger Ale
Lime wedge Squeeze

Method: Build over ice
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Lime Wedge

The Kraken has an ABV of 40% and an RRP of £22.99 for a 70cl bottle.

Available in Harvey Nichols, Majestic Wine, Selfridges and in Peckham’s Delicatessens (Scotland).