Rum Review: Real McCoy 12-Year
The Real McCoy 12-Year Rum Review
Sitting atop the Real McCoy portfolio is their 12-Year offering. A true 12-Year, the youngest drop in this bottle is at least twelve years old, having been aged in used Bourbon barrels. The Real McCoy 12 is blended from some of Richard Seale’s finest aged stocks at the Foursquare Distillery on Barbados.
The 12-Year bottle is the same as the three and five-year offerings. This one features a black label with gold and white accents. Like the other bottles, it’s topped by a synthetic cork stopper. The ABV is 40%.
In the glass, the rum shows a deep copper color blended with liquid mahogany. A swirl of the snifter produces a thin ring atop the glass from which an evenly spaced set of droplets form before yielding its slow-moving legs.
Moving in for a nosing, the initial aromas are of orange, oak and allspice blended with burnt crème and vanilla—it’s utterly delightful.
As the rum washes over the palate, I’m greeted with a lovely balance of smoky oak, spices (pepper and allspice), and citrus. There is a bit of sweetness, but not the kind that comes from added sugar. The citrus is quickly backed up by some raspberry and banana, then vanilla and caramel. Subsequent sips yield a bit of nuttiness. The long finish continues to provide some heat and ultimately it’s the oaky tannins that linger longest. The Real McCoy 12-Year is a fine example of a complex, mature rum that can hold its own against whiskies twice its age. A bargain at $45.
On to the scores:
- Appearance: 1/1
- Nose: 2/2
- Mouth feel: 1/1
- Taste: 3.5/4
- Aftertaste: 2/2
- Total Score: 9.5/10
Buy the Real McCoy 12-Year Online
What are your thoughts on this rum? Please share your comments below. For a look at the other rums in the Real McCoy line, please see my reviews of the 3-Year and 5-Year expressions.
Inu A Kena 
Not at all surprising, given the source. Would love to see a side-by-side comparison of the McCoy 12, Doorly’s 12 and R..L Seale Finest 10. Obviously different casking, but still worthy of a compare/contrast.
Good call, Matt. Need a Doorly’s 12 in order to do that. Haven’t seen any in the local shops, unfortunately.
My vote’s is for the Seale’s Ten comparison, particularly as the 2nd aging of Doorly’s XO in ex-sherry will be notably different than the Seales’ ex-bourbon. One should never underestimate the differences of these two woods.
When both Doorly’s and Seales are available for around $20 or less, it’s really, really, really hard to consider buying the McCoy. Citing Seale’s as the distiller is a two-edged sword.
Seale’s have a 12 year old rum (Rum Sixty Six) which is mainly for the European and specifically UK market.
It’s a better version of Doorly’s XO and has little in common with the 10 year old. It is fruity rather than oaky.
Better IMO than Doorly’s 12. Sweeter overall with more oak tannins that add more vanilla/coconut flavor with an underlying brown sugar flavor that is my current favorite amongst aged rums. Best rum without sugar added for sure.
I live in Cleveland Ohio I’m trying to find a store that sells the 12 year old bottle of real McCoy and I can’t I drink Jamison whiskey triple distilled and I pay 65 bucks a half gallon can you send me an address so I can buy your room thank you my phone is area code 216-333-2156 my name is Bobbie Peterson