In 1920, when prohibition began, Captain Bill McCoy made a name for himself as America’s first “Rum Runner”. He always delivered the finest quality rum which became known around the world as “The Real McCoy”.
I’ve no idea how true this is. I’ve every confidence if I trawl the internet I will find various different stories about the origins of the term “The Real McCoy”. In the UK a popular crisp brand are term the “Real McCoy’s”.