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Real McCoy 3-Year-Old white rum review

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Real McCoy 3-Year-Old white rum review

Brendan Hodrien

Published: February 26, 2021 at 10:19 AM

5.0

A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.

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Read our expert review of a bottle of white rum so pure, its heritage inspired the saying 'the real McCoy'. It's perfect in a bloody mary.

Real McCoy 3-Year-Old white rum (40% ABV) summary

This rum celebrates the legacy of a man who gave us the saying ‘the real McCoy’ – a legendary figure who refused to dilute his spirits. This modern-day tribute to Bill McCoy is made with no additives, just pure, unadulterated, top-notch rum. The Real McCoy 3-Year-Old comes packed with chocolate and coconut notes and scorches of pepper. It works incredibly well in a bloody mary.

What's the story behind Real McCoy 3-Year-Old white rum?

During the prohibition era in America, people would find creative to sell alcohol. In January 1920, Bill McCoy loaded a boat with spirits in the Caribbean, and dropped anchor three miles from New York City's shore in international waters, selling from his floating liquor store.

Bill’s product stood out because he refused to tamper with it. While others watered their product down, Bill served the best of the best. The diluted alcohol became known as ‘booze’ or ‘hooch’, while untouched spirits were called ‘the real McCoy’.

Real McCoy rum is produced by Foursquare Distillery, an operation overseen by Richard Seale. The Barbados-based firm has been family owned and operated since 1920. Originally rum merchants, the company is now a well-respected distillery, with Richard Seale’s technocratic approach a key element to its success. Recently, it has earned widespread acclaim for Equiano, the world’s first African and Caribbean rum.

For the Real McCoy, Seale wanted to create a rum completely untouched by additives and perfumes. It's made using a blend of column and pot still distillates, and is then aged in ex-bourbon barrels before passing through a limestone coral filter to remove colour.

What does Real McCoy 3-Year-Old white rum taste like?

Real McCoy 3-Year-Old is packed full of chocolate and coconut on the palate, and is smooth, with vanilla and dry cedar. Pepper and stewed apple join in along with hints of citrus.

It makes a delicious bloody mary. Pour 50ml of the rum into a tall glass with 100ml tomato juice. Add 1 tsp lime juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce and ½ tsp grated horseradish. Finish with a dash each of hot sauce, celery salt and black pepper. Add a few chunks of ice, stir well and garnish with a celery stick.

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This review was last updated in February 2021. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.