By the late 19th century, the firm had established a strong reputation for the quality of its wines and whiskies, not least in the USA, which were supplied to some of the best cellars in the country.With so many contacts and friends in the USA, Francis Berry's business was severely jeopardised by the introduction of Prohibition in 1920.

The Real McCoy
He travelled to Nassau, capital of the Bahamas, where large consignments of spirits were bonded, prior to dispatch to South America - and, illegally, into the United States. Nassau was only 175 miles from Miami; a fleet of fast boats (to beat the coastguards) either carried the spirits straight into Florida or north to 'Rum Row', off Long Island. In Nassau Berry met, and appointed as his agent, one Captain William McCoy, a rum-runner of proverbial integrity, whose name was to become synonymous with good whisky ('The Real McCoy').

The next task was to create a whisky blended to suit the American palate, which prefers lighter whisky. Back in London the right blend was created, using more grain whisky to lighten the malt content. At a partners lunch with a well-known Scottish artist, james McBey, the question of a name for the new blend was discussed. McBey suggested 'Cutty Sark’, after the speedy clipper-ship The idea held and McBey designed and painted the original label, which is still used today.

Repeal of Prohibition
Following the repeal of Prohibition, Berry Brothers & Rudd were poised to flood the market with Cutty Sark which had already established its reputation in the black market. Within a few years it was one of the top selling brands of whisky in America, a position which it retains today.