Real McCoy 5 Year Review

Real McCoy 5 Year represents Foursquare Distillery’s entry-level offering under the Real McCoy brand, delivering straightforward Barbadian rum characteristics at an accessible price point. The rum is distilled by fifth-generation distiller Richard Seale at Foursquare Rum Distillery among the cane fields of Saint Phillip and bottled at standard 40% ABV.

Technical Assessment

The rum is aged for five years in used Jack Daniels barrels, combining both pot and column still distillates in traditional Foursquare fashion. Richard Seale produces solid products while cutting no corners, doing it the old fashioned way—flavors come from the sugar and the oak, period. The production methodology maintains Foursquare’s commitment to authentic rum creation without additives or artificial enhancement.

Nose Evaluation

The nose is only mildly astringent—especially for a five-year—and the initial bouquet of aromas is immediately recognizable as Barbadian rum. The primary aromas are caramel, vanilla and oak, followed by a bit of molasses and butterscotch. The nose presents green apples and apricots initially, though there are almost none of the softer fruits like bananas or fleshier fruits to balance out the sharper bite.

Palate Analysis

The palate demonstrates classic rum structure, with a healthy slug of caramel, and a racy back end with touches of fresh apple, cinnamon, and red pepper. The body and mouthfeel are easy, and the rum has a simple and sweet finish. The rum is sweeter on the nose than the palate, but easily drinkable neat or on the rocks since it’s so smooth and subtly nuanced.

Finish Assessment

The finish is short, light, here-now-gone-in-a-flash, representing the primary limitation of this five-year expression. The conclusion lacks persistence compared to higher-aged expressions but maintains pleasant characteristics through the limited duration.

Performance Context

RumX members praise this Foursquare-made 5-year for its approachable, classic Barbados profile—vanilla, caramel and oak with touches of dried fruit and cocoa. Often enjoyed in cocktails, it’s light on the palate and considered good value. The immaturity of the spirit makes it a bit rough to sip neat, but it fits well in any modern or classic prohibition era cocktail that calls for gold rum.

Final Assessment

Real McCoy 5 Year executes its role as entry-level Barbadian rum with competent technical execution despite structural limitations. For those already into rum, this one might be considered a ‘starter’ rum. The other expressions from Foursquare offer richer blends. Within its price segment, it provides reliable mixing functionality while maintaining authentic Caribbean character without artificial enhancement.