Essential Information
Tobacco Specifications
Tobacco Name: Awaken the Kraken
Manufacturer: Madhatter’s Tobacco
Blend Type: Aromatic
Cut: Ribbon
The Experience
First Impressions
Opening the pouch of Awaken the Kraken is like stepping into the galley of a ghost ship. The scent is immediate: heavy molasses, spicy cinnamon, and something darkly floral, suggestive of ancient rum barrels and burnt sugar. Bright and red Virginias interlace in golden and ruddy strands, glinting in the light like coiled rope soaked in sunset. A darker, coarser element is tangled in—a ribbon of perique, its texture slightly crinkled, its color shadowy.
The tin note is an indulgent symphony. Vanilla swirls with a confectioner’s richness, chased by a cool anise overtone that hints at the sharp edge of spiced licorice. Underneath it all is Kraken spiced rum, soaked into the leaf with abandon. It does not lurk—it declares itself. This is not a shy aromatic. It announces itself with the same gravitas as a heavy boot on a creaking ship deck.
The Smoke
Packing and Lighting
The ribbon cut is cooperative and supple, not too moist, not too dry. A gentle pinch fills the bowl easily, and gravity assists in settling the strands with minimal coaxing. Charring light is effortless; it flares with a small blue flame and sets evenly. The true light locks the burn in place. There is no fuss here—just a calm, steady ember that beckons the first draw.
Initial Flavor
The first puff carries sweetness forward like a gilded ship prow: molasses, toasted vanilla, and the soft twang of bright Virginia. The perique holds its place in the background, a steersman with a peppery hand on the tiller. A warm alcohol sheen tingles on the retrohale, teasing with cinnamon and nutmeg, just enough to suggest Kraken rum without tipping the whole blend into cloying.
Mid-Bowl
As the ember settles and the bowl deepens, the Virginias ripen. Bright Virginia offers up its grassy lilt with a dash of citrus, while red Virginia dives deeper into plum and dried cherry. Perique rises with more clarity, inserting a smoky fig note and a controlled, tingling spice that dances at the edges of each draw. The vanilla remains, now creamier, rounding off the sharper elements and smoothing the tongue. Anise introduces a haunting coolness—less like licorice and more like the aftertaste of old absinthe, subtle but precise.
The mouthfeel is velvety. There is no tongue bite, no acrid rebellion. The smoke rolls soft and full, cushioning the palate. In humid weather (one session was conducted on a sticky 78°F afternoon), the blend holds up well without souring or going flat. In drier conditions, the Virginias sparkle a bit more, but the overall balance remains intact.
Finish
As the bowl dwindles to its heel, the rum crescendos again. It reasserts itself not with boisterous sweetness, but with an echo of barrel char, vanilla oak, and warm spice. The tobacco darkens. Perique smolders. The Virginias, once high and sweet, now offer stewed fruit and baked sugar. The smoke finishes with the satisfying gravitas of a well-aged port: warm, rich, and contemplative.
Room Note
The room note is enchanting. Vanilla and baking spices lead, underscored by a brown sugar earthiness. It draws compliments, even from the tobacco-averse. This is a tobacco you could comfortably smoke indoors without eliciting scowls. There is no acridity, no sharp edge. Just the wafting scent of something delicious being crafted in the hearth.
Strength
Medium. Neither meek nor overpowering. There is enough nicotine to satisfy, but it never overwhelms. Even when smoked fast, it resists harshness or buzziness. It is approachable for the intermediate smoker and forgiving enough for a well-prepared novice.
Final Thoughts
Overall Assessment
Awaken the Kraken is a blend of paradoxes well-resolved: bold yet smooth, sweet yet spicy, complex yet unpretentious. The Virginias perform as the elegant base, red and bright harmonizing with natural sugars and acidity to create a clean canvas. Perique, though a supporting actor, is vital—its pepper and plum threading through the sweetness like aged ink on parchment. The Kraken spiced rum does not taste synthetic; instead, it conjures the real spirit with molasses, nutmeg, vanilla, and a lingering warmth.
Its aromatic enhancements—vanilla and anise—are used not as blunt instruments, but as painterly accents. They round corners, elevate transitions, and whisper where others might shout. The blend develops with each third of the bowl. It invites long, contemplative smokes. It performs well in a wide billiard, beautifully in a bent brandy, and surprisingly in a small apple—where the anise finds its fullest expression.
This is not a cellar staple, but it deserves a prominent place in any aromatic lover’s rotation. For fans of blends like Sutliff Spiced Rum, C&D Autumn Evening, or Drew Estate’s 7th Avenue Blonde, this may find welcome company.
Recommendations
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5 stars)
Who Should Try It: Aromatic lovers, Virginia/perique smokers looking for a sweet diversion, and anyone fond of dessert tobaccos with character.
Who Should Avoid It: Smokers who disdain toppings, or those looking for Latakia-rich, dry English blends.
Additional Notes: This blend improves after a week of jar time. Aging potential is moderate; the Virginias sweeten, but the topping may fade.
