Bay Rum Bay Rum Bay Rum

I’m not trying any new bay rum without a trusted recommend. 

I’ve been accused of being opinionated.  It doesn’t come without an explanation…ever.

I’ve tried 20+ Bay Rums this year, 2021.  A handful made the cut, Of the cut only a few remain, Of those few only 1 has been a repurchase.  

What do YOU like in a Bay Rum? It’s my opinion if a Bay Rum is heavy clove, it’s not a true bay rum

Sir Henry’s is my current Fav

I’m not trying any new bay rum without a trusted recommend. 

I’ve been accused of being opinionated.  It doesn’t come without an explanation…ever.

I’ve tried 20+ Bay Rums this year, 2021.  A handful made the cut, Of the cut only a few remain, Of those few only 1 has been a repurchase.  

What do YOU like in a Bay Rum? It’s my opinion if a Bay Rum is heavy clove, it’s not a true bay rum

Sir Henry’s is my current Fav

Island Estate is a good one. 

I’m not fussed about Clove. It doesn’t have to be there and I don’t actively dislike it. I try to judge the bay rum as a whole. If it’s crappy, Clove  won’t save it. If it’s good, clove won’t ruin it. At least for me. I think ogallala has clove but I still like it. I know, call me enigmatic but I like what I like. I like your artwork.

I know that clove is an issue for a lot of guys when it comes to bay rum.  My view on it is that its like any other scent - its about balance as well as personal preference.  That means that for me there is the potential for a place for clove in a bay rum that AI like if its balanced and doesn't hit me as overpowering.  If its just a clove bomb then I probably won't like it.  I might though, who knows the mysterious ways of the nose?  A lot of guys throw around the term Bay Rum, as in this is or isn't a true bay rum.  I'm guilty of that too.   I'm not passing judgment but just expressing my personal opinions and preferences.  I'll use the term "bay inspired" scents when it comes to something that contains bay and the maker may even call bay rum but it just isn't in my opinion.  An example would be PAA Kiritimati  - it has West Indian Bay prominently listed as an ingredient.  It even has a bay leaf in the bottle and part of the promotion has Santa proclaiming it to be the best bay rum ever.  But its not a bay rum but rather a bay inspired scent.  Don't get me wrong, I love it.  Its one of the most beautiful scents in wet shaving in my opinion and I use it year round not just at Christmas but if you bought it expecting a bay rum you might be surprised.  Pleasantly I would think. I also have it in the bath and shampoo bar formats.  

Back on track, clove - I think Ogallala bay rum is one that contains clove but I don't care because I love it. Again for me, if its a good scent and it happens to contain clove and its balanced and works for my nose then I'm good with it.  There are plenty of bay rums out there that don't have clove that I don't like.  Usually because they are all derived from he same ubiquitous bay rum scent blend available at the scent supply warehouse or wherever and the artisan doesn't really have enough (or any) experience with shaving scents, particularly bay rum and figures that that must be the stuff and goes with it.  Its sad really and does a disservice to the shaving community by putting another mediocre product on the market.  Do your homework - its not hard.  If you can't afford to buy a cross section of samples of the many many bay rums on the market I don't know why youre even in business.  How can you have any idea how your product will be received? Do you have a business plan?  Vision?  Brand identity?  Anything at all??  Even if your approach to bay rum is that youve smelled a bunch of them and this style is the one that you love personally thats better than the I have no idea what bay rum is supposed to smell like but this fragrance blend from Essential Wholesale & Labs ticks the bay rum box now on to barbershop...I'll be rich shortly.  Not.  

Down that rabbit hole again    I guess what I mean to say is that clove is not a deal breaker for me.  I don't mind it if its part of a balanced bay rum scent that appeals to me.

I’m not trying any new bay rum without a trusted recommend. 

andrewjs18  have you tried the Ogallala bay rum?  The straight up bay rum is great and even better in double strength. All the other bay rums in their lineup aren’t bay rums but just different scented splashes. There’s for sure some good scents in there they just aren’t bay rum. After the real bay rum I’d say I like their lime and peppercorn and their sage and cedar. Sandalwood is ok and the rest I haven’t really tried. Except for vanilla. It’s the strongest most in your face straight up vanilla scented splash I’ve ever experienced. I found it nauseatingly strong. If you like that kind of thing knock yourself out. Literally. 

The bay rum scent is excellent.

I've not tried ogallala bay rum yet, no. I almost struggle to buy a lot of bay rums before being able to sniff them because honestly, most suck and I hate getting stuck with product I won't use.

I’m not trying any new bay rum without a trusted recommend. 

I’ve been accused of being opinionated.  It doesn’t come without an explanation…ever.

I’ve tried 20+ Bay Rums this year, 2021.  A handful made the cut, Of the cut only a few remain, Of those few only 1 has been a repurchase.  

What do YOU like in a Bay Rum? It’s my opinion if a Bay Rum is heavy clove, it’s not a true bay rum

Sir Henry’s is my current Fav

I tried island estate in early 2020 if memory serves me correctly. it's not bad, but if I recall correctly, it has vanilla in it and I generally don't like sweeter smelling bay rums - the spicier the better, imho. also, while I liked the face feel of the splash a bit, it lit up my cheeks pretty good. that said though, I'm not entirely sure it was a total reaction from the splash itself or a combo of having general face irritation from wearing a mask so much during that time.

I wore my PAA clasico splash yesterday for the first time. CaD314 splashes sure do have staying power. I put it on around 1pm and was able to still easily smell it 11-12 hours later when I took a shower.

I wore my PAA clasico splash yesterday for the first time.  CaD314 splashes sure do have staying power.  I put it on around 1pm and was able to still easily smell it 11-12 hours later when I took a shower.

Yeah, CaD314 is the mad scientist if bay rum. I recently picked up some PAA EDTs. Pineapple Bay, Classico and Atomic Age and they’re great. I have to get Space Nog EDT and maybe another one before Friday to beat the January hiatus.

Ahhhhh. Atomic Age. Now there's a winner

But still, Dominica reigns supreme. Grand Bay quite good.

Favourite derivative is Derby City: it amazing

Ahhhhh.  Atomic Age.  Now there's a winner

But still, Dominica reigns supreme. Grand Bay quite good.

Favourite derivative is Derby City: it amazing

I have Dominca and I love it. I’ve got two backups as well. Do you know if they’ve resumed production? I’ve not tried Grand Bay but I think it’s basically the same as Dominica isn’t it?

Have only the one, Karma dictates you need share one of yours!

Grand Bay similar but not exactly Dominica No extraneous ingredients, so same in that regard.