Kraken Vs Aldi's Cassario Rum: Is Kraken worth the £10 price difference?

02 August 2023 , 17:00

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I compared Cassario and Kraken (Image: Jada Jones)

There are thousands of rums on the market and they come in many different shapes and sizes, with a range of flavours that leave the options seemingly endless. One that comes up time and time again, having made itself somewhat of a legend by being the first of its kind, is Kraken Black Spiced Rum.

Coming from Trinidad and Tobago in a bottle unlike any other, Kraken has made itself a brand most drinkers can recognise a mile off. It currently holds the number one spot on Amazon for rums and seemingly for good reason - but can any stand up to it?

One shop that's made a name for itself by offering products similar to name brands at a lower price point is Aldi. Their Cassario Black Spiced Flavour With Rum won Gold at The Spirits Business 2021 in the Rum and Cachaça Masters - but is it better than Kraken? I found out.

At first glance the bottles are quite similar, they have the same colour scheme although there's slightly different touches in the artwork. Kraken's bottle seems like slightly more effort went into it with shading and the unique glass design they're famous for. The spirit itself looks quite similar although Kraken retails at just over £10 more.

Kraken boasts an aroma of caramel, toffee and spice which I think is quite accurate. It then has a flavour of cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg - personally I think the flavour of cinnamon and vanilla stands out significantly more than nutmeg. It does have a lingering spicy finish and at 40% there's no surprise that there's a slight burn on the way down.

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Cassario however smells quite citrussy, there's a sweetness to it but the overwhelming scent is lime. It lists notes of vanilla, spices, coffee and lime with 'a deep rum aftertaste'. I think its taste is more similar to a cola cube and it tastes sweeter than Kraken, but not as smooth.

Mixed with cola they're both tasty, with individual notes taking a backseat to the mixer. I think if you're looking for a rum to mix at parties then both are perfectly good options.

I think Cassario is a nice black spiced rum, I wouldn't have it on the rocks but it goes down well with a mixer and it has a nice flavour. If you're a casual rum drinker looking for a spirit to include in your home bar for your next party then absolutely go for Cassario, it's a budget friendly option that will work in punchbowls and mixed with cola or pineapple juice.

That said, it's not as similar to Kraken as you'd expect and I think loyal fans of the brand would be disappointed. If Kraken is the rum you reach for time and time again then I think it's best to stay with it.

Jada Jones