The Real McCoy Rum is named for Bill McCoy, a pioneering rum runner during Prohibition. The gentleman that he was, ol’ Bill filled a boat with Caribbean rum and sailed it up to New York, acting as an offshore liquor store (located in international waters) that was outside the bounds of the law. The stuff kept drinkers happy, and because it was never watered down or adulterated like much Prohibition-era booze, it came to be known as “the Real McCoy.”
Fast forward to today, and the enterprising Real McCoy Spirits has produced a five year old homage to that very rum; it’s even distilled at the same Barbados distillery before being aged in used bourbon barrels. On the nose, the amber colored rum is full of oak, vanilla and baking spices. Take a sip, and it’s warm and slightly viscous, with flavors ranging from caramel and almonds to toffee, dried fruits and lots more oak. It starts out mildly sweet and finishes very dry.
This is pretty solid stuff, and it’s surprisingly oaky for its five years in barrel. It might play a bit too dry for drinkers used to vanilla-heavy rums. But assuming you’re into oak, you’ll find a lot to like here.
Stats:
– 40% ABV
– $28.99
CE Rating: ★★★
I recently heard about this myself. I do like a good dry rum, so I’m excited to try! Thanks for the tasting notes as always.