‘CPCL 05‐1201’ (Reg. No. CV‐163, PI 672485) is a sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) hybrid cultivar bred by United States Sugar Corporation, tested in the breeding program led by the USDA–ARS, University of Florida, and Florida Sugarcane League, and released to Florida growers in October 2012. CPCL 05‐1201 combines the high‐sucrose genes of its female parent (CL 87‐2882) with the high tonnage genes of its male parent (CL 93‐2679). In the final selection stage, CPCL 05‐1201 was compared with 21 genotypes for 3 yr (2008–2012) on organic and sand soils in south Florida and the freeze tolerance tested for 2 yr (2011–2013) in north Florida. CPCL 05‐1201 is recommended for planting on muck and sand soils and for the successive cropping system. On muck, CPCL 05‐1201 yielded 5 to 10% higher sucrose than reference cultivars ‘CP 78‐1628’ and ‘CP 89‐2143’. On sand, CPCL 05‐1201 yielded sucrose comparable to CP 89‐2143 and 4% more than CP 78‐1628. Owing to high tonnage and moderate level of sucrose, CPCL 05‐1201 was 11% more profitable on muck and 26% more profitable on sand than CP 78‐1628 or CP 89‐2143. No yield decline was observed with CPCL 05‐1201 under the successive system. In addition, CPCL 05‐1201 is resistant to the most important diseases in Florida, except for Sugarcane yellow leaf virus. CPCL 05‐1201 has the Bru1 gene in its genome and is resistant to brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala H. & P. Sydow) and orange rust [caused by P. kuehnii (Kruger) E. Butler]. CPCL 05‐1201 has comparable freeze tolerance to CP89‐2143 to mild and severe freeze conditions.