Bacardi Black. Along with Bacardi Gold, the two rums have recently been re-released into the UK market at 40% ABV rather than 37.5%. For whatever reason Bacardi Black is not as readily available as the White Superior or Gold. In most supermarkets and many off licenses the White Superior and Gold can be picked up at entry-level prices. However, the Black is largely absent from these outlets.
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Another holiday bottle that I thought I would review. I found this in a Supermarket in Ayia Napa amongst a selection of cheap looking Greek and Cypriot rum. I passed on the various Greek/Cypriot efforts and settled for this Black Head Rum. It is distributed by Slaur International, Le Havre, France. Those who have read my introduction will be aware that amongst my first rum tastings was Bardinet Negrita rum. That rum was also French. Negrita also had a rather questionable stereotype on the label. I’m really pretty shocked by this one to be honest.
I first came across this rum when travelling on a Thomson (TUI) cruise. I was on an all inclusive package no dark rum’s listed on the menu. I thought I may as well chance my arm and see what they would give me if I just asked for a dark rum and cola. I was quite surprised how quickly the bartender understood my request (getting anything other than a Bacardi and Coke when you mention rum is still a problem in the UK!). I was equally surprised how quickly he poured the measure and returned the bottle to below the bar. I got a quick glance at the bottle and noticed only the “medals” at the bottom. There was no charge for the drink so I sat down quite smugly thinking I might have been onto a bit of a winner.
This is really the signature rum for the Captain Morgan brand. However, it is no longer its most recognised rum/spirit drink. A lot of people recognise Morgan’s Spiced (UK) Or Captain Morgan Original/Gold Spiced Rum (USA). There are so many differences around the world that I won’t even begin to try and explain any further variations within the Captain Morgan brand. The UK has recently begun adopting the US style bottlings of the Spiced Rum.
I purchased this rum mainly due to the demography. I hadn’t tried a rum from Belize, simple really. One Barrel also boasted of a number of gold medal awards, in major spirit competitions. A Gold Medal in the Dark Rum category at the second International Cane Spirits Competition in 2007. In 2007 and 2008 Gold Medals at the International Rum Festival.
The Kraken is a fairly newish rum to the market. Introduced in 2009 to the UK and at a time when Sailor Jerry had re-branded and changed its formula. The Kraken was introduced to compete with Morgans Spiced and Sailory Jerry. The darker nature of the rum was hoped to give a more authentic style rum experience.
The rum is sealed with red wax with ES (English Spirit) emblazoned on the top of the bottle. English Spirit is the name of the distillery which produces the rum. The distillery is based in Cambridgeshire. The rum is sealed (once you get into the wax) with a synthetic cork stopper. The 50cl (not 70cl) bottle is taller and thinner than most. It will require carefully handling as it will be quite easily knocked over. The styling of the bottle, in keeping with the Pirate theme is very similar to Patron’s Pyrat Pistol rum. The packaging of which is supposed to evoke the image of the firearms a Pirate would have used. The rum retails at around £25 per bottle. I’ve yet to find it in a store but its available very easily online in the UK (maybe less so abroad).