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Want to know the difference between Sailor Jerry vs Captain Morgan? Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan are both well-known brands of spiced rum. Spiced rum is any rum flavored with natural herbs and spices.
If you have never tasted these two brands, you may wonder which is better in flavor, taste, and price. If you want to know which brand will suit your tastes and be value for money, this article will help you decide.
Sailor Jerry or Captain Morgan?
Sailor Jerry is a spiced rum distilled in the United States Virgin Islands. It is 92 proof and features a Sailor Jerry hula girl on the label.
Although it is slightly harsh to drink neat, the flavor is bold with vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon notes; it comes to life when mixed.
Hardy, Malone, and Steven Grasse established Sailor Jerry Ltd. to create merchandise based on the life of Sailor Jerry (the nickname of Norman Collins), a famous tattoo artist.
In the 1990s, they started making Sailor Jerry Rum.
William Grant and Sons, the company that produces the Scotch Whisky Glenfiddich, purchased Sailor Jerry rum in 2008, and it has become one of the most popular spiced rums in the world.
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is amber-colored and has a rich, sweet flavor of caramel and vanilla with a hint of baking spices. It has many varieties, the Original Spiced Rum being the most popular.
Owned by Diageo since 2001, Captain Morgan dates back to 1944, when the Ontario-based Seagram Company started selling the brand under the name “The Captain Morgan Rum Company.” Production takes place in the US Virgin Islands.
With its spicy flavor, Captain Morgan pairs well with drinks like cola and ginger beer and, in 2014, was the second most popular spirit in the United States.
What are they made of?
Sailor Jerry Rum uses rum blended with “secret spices.” Spices that are detected are vanilla, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.
Captain Morgan uses sugar cane to produce molasses to create the rum with which selected baking spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla are blended.
How are they made?
The recipe for Sailor Jerry Rum follows the method used by sailors to improve the flavor of their rum rations. Aging in oak casks was not possible, so they blended in spices.
Sailor Jerry uses a selection of the best high-proof rums distilled in the Caribbean and infuses it with their “secret spices.”
Captain Morgan
- Juices are squeezed from sugar cane to create molasses.
- Yeast and water are added to the molasses and allowed to ferment and produce alcohol. Choosing the correct yeast will ensure the right and desired taste profile of the rum.
- The fermented liquid goes through a continuous column distillation process.
- The distilled beverage then matures in an oak barrel for a minimum of one year, adding character and a golden color to the rum.
- A selection of matured barrels is blended, with flavors and spices added to produce the desired Captain Morgan Rum.
How are they similar?
Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan offer spiced rum at similar prices and are better mixed with cola or ginger beer or blended into cocktails. They are two of the best-selling spiced rums worldwide.
Price, Size, Color, Alcohol% Comparison
Sailor Jerry only produces spiced rum with a 46 ABV% or 92 proof.
It has a clear golden color with no sediment and is made with a combination of spices from the Caribbean to produce that distinct flavor that is warming with a balance of sweetness and a bitter alcohol kick.
Sailor Jerry has modified its formula to provide a sweeter taste with a reduced alcohol strength of 35 ABV% to appeal to a larger audience in the UK.
Captain Morgan offers a comprehensive range of products and different flavors of rum.
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Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold
This spiced rum, best served mixed with cola or in a cocktail, has intense flavors of vanilla and caramel. It is a medium-bodied rum that is 70 proof or 35% ABV and is the second highest-selling spirit in the United States.
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Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
Black Spiced Rum is aged for a minimum of two years, giving it a dark color with smooth, smoky flavors. Spices and caramel coloring provide a signature sweet spice taste.
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Captain Morgan White Rum
Captain Morgan White Rum is distilled five times and aged for a short time. It has nearly no color and a slightly sweet yet creamy taste. White rum is the most common rum used to make a Mojito.
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Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum
Silver Spiced Rum is a blend of white rum and spices with a sweet vanilla character and can be sipped straight or on the rocks or mixed with your favorite cocktail.
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Captain Morgan 100 Proof Rum
Captain Morgan 100 Proof Rum is 50% ABV and made from a blend of Caribbean rums and selected spices to enhance the intensity of this high-proof rum. 100 Proof Rum is stored in charred oak casks to give this rum its smooth, mellow taste.
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Captain Morgan Private Stock
Captain Morgan Private Stock is Captain Morgan’s premium spiced rum. Using a blend of the best Captain Morgan reserves and married with more exotic spices, Captain Morgan Private Stock has a smooth, velvety texture and is full-bodied.
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Captain Morgan Flavored Rum
The following are flavored rums produced and marketed by Captain Morgan used mainly in cocktails: Coconut, Cannon Blast, Jack o Blast, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Watermelon, and Apple Smash.
Color
Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan both have a Golden color with no sediment.
| Name | Size | ABV | Average Price |
| Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum | 750ml | 46% | $19 |
| 1000ml | 46% | $22 | |
| 1750ml | 46% | $26 | |
| Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum | 750ml | 35% | $15 |
| 1000ml | 35% | $22 | |
| 1750ml | 35% | $25 | |
| Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum | 750ml | 47% | $25 |
| Captain Morgan White Rum | 750ml | 40% | $17 |
| Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum | 750ml | 35% | $17 |
| Captain Morgan 100 Proof Rum | 750ml | 50% | $24 |
| Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum | 750ml | 40% | $25 |
| Captain Morgan Apple Smash Rum | 750ml | 30% | $22 |
| Captain Morgan Coconut Rum | 750ml | 35% | $17 |
| Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum | 750ml | 35% | $17 |
| Captain Morgan Watermelon Rum | 750ml | 25% | $17 |
| Captain Morgan Pineapple Rum | 750ml | 35% | $17 |
| Captain Morgan Jack o Blast Rum | 750ml | 30% | $17 |
How to Drink Sailor Jerry and Captain Morgan
Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum is sweet with a strong vanilla flavor. Sailor Jerry has enough flavor to drink straight or on the rocks; however, its authentic flavors come to life with simple mixes such as cola (rum &coke) or ginger beer.
Cocktail Recipes using Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
Chica-Cherry Jerry
Ingredients
- Two parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
- Half part vanilla syrup
- Cherry Cola
How to make
- Combine Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and vanilla syrup in a highball glass.
- Fill with ice and top with Cherry Cola. Garnish with a fresh cherry.
Cup O’ Jerry
Ingredients
- Four parts coffee
- One & half parts Sailor Jerry
- Quarter part heavy cream
- One pinch of brown sugar
- Garnish with cinnamon and whipped cream
Captain Morgan Spiced Rum is smooth enough to sip straight, with a dash of water or on the rocks. It is well known as a mix with cola (rum & coke), ginger beer, tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, and papaya), and lemonade.
Cocktails using Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
Mojito
Ingredients
- One & half oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- Half oz. lime juice
- Two oz. soda water
- Crushed ice
- One teaspoon sugar
- Ten Mint leaves
Method
- Mix Captain Morgan rum, soda water, lime juice, and sugar together in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill a tall glass with ice and mint leaves
- Pour the mixture from the cocktail shaker into the glass and mix well.
- Add a dash of tabasco.
Colada Tini
Ingredients
- Two oz. of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
- One & half oz. cream of coconut
- Three-quarter oz. pineapple juice
- Ice
- Grated cinnamon for garnish
Method
- Chill a martini glass
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum cream of coconut, and pineapple juice
- Shake to chill
- Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with grated cinnamon
Alternatives
The following Spiced Rum brands are alternatives to Sailor Jerry.
Kraken Black Spiced Rum is a spiced rum with more than 40% ABV, and the price is similar to Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. Both rums are best mixed or in cocktails. The main difference is the color.
Sailor Jerry is golden, and Kraken is black.
Pusser’s Spiced Rum, spiced with ginger and cinnamon, is an excellent alternative if you want to get away from Spiced rums with a strong vanilla taste. It has a rich, warming taste even though it has a relatively low 35% ABV.
Try these Spiced Rum Brands as an alternative to Captain Morgan
Bacardi Select has a 40% ABV whereas Captain Morgan has a 35% ABV. Both are more popular in mixed drinks but are smooth enough to enjoy straight.
Bayou Spiced Rum is more expensive than Captain Morgan but is a worthy alternative if you a looking to try another quality Spiced rum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which came first?
Captain Morgan came first when “The Seagram Company” started selling the brand under the (The Captain Morgan Rum Company) name. Then, Sailor Jerry Ltd. expanded its company to create Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum in 1991.
Which is stronger?
Sailor Jerry has a higher alcohol content with 46% ABV. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum has an ABV of 35%.
Which is more popular?
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum rates as the second highest-selling spirit in the United States. Sailor Jerry is rapidly increasing its sales and popularity. The choice is yours.
Try both and decide. Both are quality options.
