Dining & Nightlife | Drinkology

Legends of massive and deadly sea creatures have persisted since man first met the ocean, but stories of the Kraken—a behemothic squid-like leviathan with the size and power to sink tall ships—are widely attributed to the peoples of Iceland and Scandinavia, not the Greeks, as many believe.

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum claims to have been named out of respect for the sea monster, which is said to have attacked and destroyed a ship carrying one of the largest hauls of black spiced rum from the Caribbean islands. The 94-proof rum is black and bold, like the Kraken’s ink, but this libation is distilled in pot stills in the Virgin Islands, fermented from molasses made from local sugarcane and infused with a medley of spices, including ginger, clove and cinnamon.

While this dark rum is enjoyable in a host of beverages, the quality and flavor is a pleasure to imbibe straight up or on the rocks.

In German, the word “krake” means octopus.

The quote and eventual internet meme “Release the Kraken” is attributed by most to Ray Harryhausen’s epic 1981 film, Clash of the Titans, but the line is actually from the 2010 remake. In the original scene, Zeus, played by Sir Laurence Olivier says, “Let loose the Kraken!”