The Real McCoy Rum launches in UK

A collection of rums inspired by Prohibition rum runner Bill McCoy have been launched in the UK.

Three expressions of The Real McCoy Rum – comprising a three-year-old, five-year-old and 12-year-old – are being distributed by UK independent spirit specialist, Distillnation.

The Real McCoy Rum was founded by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Bailey Prior, in partnership with master distiller Richard Seale of the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados.

The 3YO expression is described as a silver sipping rum with subtle spice and wood notes, hints of toasted caramel and a long warm finish.

Meanwhile, the 5YO is said to offer hints of vanilla, toasted caramel, honey and Bourbon aged wood.

The oldest expression, aged for 12 years, is a super-premium sipping rum with complex wood and spice notes and hints of vanilla.

The Real McCoy Rum 3YO has an RRP of £25, the 5YO carries an RRP of £30 and the 12YO has an RRP of £44. All three editions are bottled at 40% abv and are available to purchase from Distillnation, The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt and Hedonism Wines.

In addition to launching the rums, Prior has also directed and produced a documentary film depicting the life of McCoy, who was the first person to fill a boat full of rum in the Caribbean and transport it to New York where he would anchor the ship three miles off shore, effectively creating a “floating liquor store”.

The film has already aired in the US and is due to be broadcast in the UK later this year.