Bay Rum Bay Rum Bay Rum

Czech and Speake Cuba. OK, I've been wanting to try this one for a while but I could never find a sample and I wasn't going to drop that kind of money on the chance I might like it.  I wandered into a local shop last week - Kent of Inglewood that carries a reasonable line of shaving products.  They had this stuff and I could sample it.  I now own it in aftershave and I'm contemplating springing for it in cologne as well.  I was intrigued by the bay and the rum in the scent profile without it being considered a Bay Rum - no, its what I'd call bay inspired.  Anyway, I love it and my only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.  I could have been smelling this good for a lot longer!! 



Vibrant. Sensual. Exotic.
Truly evocative of the old town of Havana and its Latin rhythms, Cuba bursts into life with the top notes of bergamot, lime, peppermint and a hint of rum. Layered with a melange of spicy and floral middle notes of rose, clove, bay and tonka beans to add a subtle softness. The base notes of tobacco mixed with the richness of frankincense, cedar wood and vetiver round off this striking fragrance. 
Cuba is a powerful, fiery blend of the highest and purest quality aromatic essential oils, with deep and lasting undertones. Presented in a vibrant red glass reagent bottle, inspired by 19th century apothecaries. Enjoyed by both men and women.

• Top notes: Peppermint, Bergamot, Rum, Lime
  
  
• Middle notes: Rose, Clove, Bay, Tonka beans
  
  
• Base notes: Frankincense, Tobacco, Vetiver, Cedarwood
  
  
• Olfactive family: Smoky, Woody
  

This stuff does smell great. I had a sample vial of it a few years ago and really savored it. I'm kicking myself for not pulling the trigger when Maggard had their Black Friday sale, I had it in my cart but I just didn't go through with it. Someone(s) else did. They're sold out.

Thats too bad.  I just love it, its immediately cracked the lineup and is in my regular rotation.

While we're on the topic, Rooster's Nest just listed a fresh batch of their bourbon barrel aged Bay rum, based on a 1922 barber formula. I have heard good things and look forward to trying this one!

I checked out Rooster's Nest, sounds like one heck of a barber shop.  I'd like to try their Bay Rum but there might be a shipping problem.  I did like the quote they had on the Story page:

"He who works with his hands is a labourer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."

St. Francis of Assisi

I laid down the gauntlet two years ago challenging (begging?) artisan soap makers like Wholly Kaw, Declaration Grooming and Grooming Dept to make an epic bay rum soap (slash too would be nice) but there’s been little movement on that front. 

Tallow and Steel did release Indian Bay last year and it was epic   And Sir Henry released the very respectable Island Estate but the other guys just aren’t drinking the cool aid (or rum) sadly. 

I’d like members who love bay rum (haters please keep your thoughts to yourself or, post them on your own thread) to post the artisans they’d like to see release a bay rum and what you think it should be like. This could serve as a focus group for the subject artisans.

I would like to see an artisan try to unseat PAA Atomic Age Bay Rum. It would have to be EPIC to do that in my opinion.

I would like to see an artisan try to unseat PAA Atomic Age Bay Rum. It would have to be EPIC to do that in my opinion.

Amen brother - I've said it before, nobody is doing as much with and for bay rum as PAA.   

While I would have no problem with a high end artisan making an old school straight up bay rum in their awesome base, I see no reason that they should limit themselves to that.  Get creative, make mistakes, take chances and see what comes out of it.  Just don't do that awful off the shelf bay rum and lime blend that seems to show up regularly.  

Bay rum is iconic and probably has the longest, most interesting history in mens grooming - best thing since the invention of dirt.  I believe every soap maker should have at least one version in their repertoire.  If you can do bay rum well then I think you can do anything well.  It doesn't have to be "common" or overdone - be creative

Love, Love, Love The Bay Rum!

Love, Love, Love The Bay Rum!

Exactly! Now there's a man after my own heart. 

I'm going to keep beating the bay rum bay rum bay rum drum drum drum.

Marko after talking Bay Rum with Andrew it seems like you two are on the same page. He’s talked me into trying to make one. I told him if I’m going to do it I’m going to buy an oak barrel and make it from scratch and then age it for a while as I’ve been doing some homework on it. As a soap maker I guess I should jump in and make one. lol

Marko after talking Bay Rum with Andrew it seems like you two are on the same page. He’s talked me into trying to make one.  I told him if I’m going to do it I’m going to buy an oak barrel and make it from scratch and then age it for a while as I’ve been doing some homework on it.  As a soap maker I guess I should jump in and make one. lol

That’s great news!  I will patiently await the results. 

Yes Andrew and I have been discussing bay rum of late. I’m happy to have another convert to the cult. In my experience artisans take a lot of persuasion to step into bay rum. I’m not sure why, I mean shaving and bay rum go together like, well, like shaving and bay rum!  If it’s any consolation, a well known artisan once told me that his bay rum was his top seller. It was Will Carius who told me that. It was a few years ago so I don’t know if it still holds. My point is, just make it. What’s the worst that can happen?

Marko after talking Bay Rum with Andrew it seems like you two are on the same page. He’s talked me into trying to make one.  I told him if I’m going to do it I’m going to buy an oak barrel and make it from scratch and then age it for a while as I’ve been doing some homework on it.  As a soap maker I guess I should jump in and make one. lol

That’s great news!  I will patiently await the results. 

Yes Andrew and I have been discussing bay rum of late. I’m happy to have another convert to the cult. In my experience artisans take a lot of persuasion to step into bay rum. I’m not sure why, I mean shaving and bay rum go together like, well, like shaving and bay rum!  If it’s any consolation, a well known artisan once told me that his bay rum was his top seller. It was Will Carius who told me that. It was a few years ago so I don’t know if it still holds. My point is, just make it. What’s the worst that can happen?

Marko if you know anything about me then you know and  Andrew will back me up. I play it anything but safe and love taking things out to left field and experimenting. I do have a case of OCD so if I’m going to make one I’ll build it from the ground up and of course use all naturals and then start to play of the base using other essentials etc to make at least a couple variations.  

I’ll keep you updated.