Rum Runners: Gertrude ‘Cleo’ Lythgoe

Rum Runners records the stories of the most notorious alcohol bootleggers in history. From larger than life figures like Al Capone, to gentleman smugglers such as Bill McCoy, men made headlines. But women like Gertrude ‘Cleo’ Lythgoe also made a name for themselves as successful rum smugglers and Lythgoe may well be the most successful of them all. 

Rum Runners: Bill McCoy

Rum Runners is a series that tells the story of influential bootleggers who shaped the course of drinking history. While many bootleggers developed unsavoury reputations as gangsters and criminals, there were others like Bill McCoy who became folk heroes and gentleman smugglers.

Tactful, charming and intelligent, McCoy set the mold for successful offshore smuggling operations. His reputation in the rum industry is so great that he’s been immortalised by the Real McCoy rum company and Foursquare Distillery.