Bay Rum Aftershave

[Alfredo Becerra]

I've been wanting to try a bay rum aftershave since they seem to be popular but wanted to ask a few questions before I even do it.

Since I don't know if I am going to like the scent I want to start with something fairly cheap. I see that Pinaud Clubman aftershaves generally get good reviews so I thought their bay rum after shave would be a good place to start.

I have a concern though. I don't mind a strong scent, I don't mind a scent that lingers for an hour or 2, I just don't want to smell the aftershave all day long or have all my co-workers running for the hills. The clubman aftershaves seem to also be known for their "longevity" so I was wondering if some of you could tell me about your experiences with it. Will I reek all day?

Any help will be appreciated

 

[Tricky]

Seems like you need some Dominica bay rum!

 

[JPM]

I would try Ogallala Bay Rum AS. It is $9.99 a bottle and it smells great when you apply it, but it fades pretty quickly. Just don't forget to shake the bottle before applying because it separates when it sits.

 

[Geordon]

I have a concern though. I don't mind a strong scent, I don't mind a scent that lingers for an hour or 2, I just don't want to smell the aftershave all day long or have all my co-workers running for the hills. The clubman aftershaves seem to also be known for their "longevity" so I was wondering if some of you could tell me about your experiences with it. Will I reek all day?

First off, I commend you for not wanting to stink out your coworkers. I've been on the "other" side, being stunk out of the office.

I currently have both the Clubman Virgin Island bay rum and the Ogalalla Bay rum with limes & peppercorns, and have previously used Dominica. With the Clubman, it start off rather intense and stongly of cinnamon and clove, but tones down to a dull roar pretty well and easily. However, I can still lightly smell it on myself at the end of the day, and even occasional whiffs the following morning. Be that as it may, SWMBO has a rather sensitive nose as well as as definite opinion that she's not shy about sharing with me, especially if she doesn't like the smell. She doesn't object to the VIBR at all, and I've actually asked her to seek the aroma on me after a few hours. She's said that she cannot smell it very much at that time.

The Dominica is wonderful; light and refreshing. But, as with many bay rums, fades down to the point that you will smell it, but others won't necessarily, unless you stick it under their noses.

The Ogalalla.. Ah, lovely. Warm, citrusy and a little spicy. My only complaint about it is that it fades out so fast. An hour or so after I put it on, I can barely smell it. Comes back slightly if refreshed with a little water, but not much.

That being said, I like them all, and plan to get more varieties, soon.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Even though the clubman is called bay rum it's not. As others have said its cinnamon and cloves. Try Royall and St Lucia.

 

[A-Man]

Burts Bees aftershave balm. Great scent, decent staying power. Does contain alcohol so beware of a slight sting/burn.

http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/men-shaving/bay-rum-aftershave-balm.html

 

[winkydink]

Ogallala is kind of the, dare I say it, gold standard in bay rums. And great people to do business with as well!

 

[Mack]

I've been using Dominica and I like it a lot. I've just ordered a bottle of Ogallala bay rum and sandalwood from West Coast.

 

[David in Boston]

Even though the clubman is called bay rum it's not. As others have said its cinnamon...

Clubman Bay Rum is nice but it has too much a scent of cinnamon.

As one B&B member mentioned it smells like Big Red chewing gum.

Just a suggestion, give Masters Bay Rum a try.

Bay Oil only.

 

[markb]

CO Bigelow Bay Rum balm is very nice too!

 

[Wingnut]

+1 to both the Domenica BR splash and the C.O. Bigelow BR balm. Both excellent products. The Bigelow is BR and a citrus scent that I find very nice, the Domenica is a true "straight-up" bay rum, with all the pluses and minuses (lack of longevity) that implies. Domenica can be gotten at your local Orvis store, but call to confirm first.

I'd also like to give a thumbs-up to the Royall splash: it's very similar to the Domenica, though, and a bit more pricey.

 

[Mulie1]

Pinaud bay rum is nice, but you will feel the burn!

 

[jetboy]

I don't know that it gets cheaper than Superior 70. I am lucky enough to have a couple of Walgreens that carry it locally. Search on the Walgreens site to see if any near you carry it or if they can get. Under 3 bucks out the door. I bought some this week and am ejoying it enough to explore plunking down $15 at the Orivs shop in town that carries Dominica.

- Doug

 

[honed]

Ogallala is kind of the, dare I say it, gold standard in bay rums. And great people to do business with as well!

+1
They are the Bay Rum Company

 

[my19]

You can get a sample -- 2 oz., I think -- of the Ogallala bay rum cologne from the company website here: http://www.usfreeads.com/catalogs/363692/item1072834.html

The sample costs a buck, you pay a bit for shipping and in my order, they added a small bottle of the after shave/skin toner, which I thought was terrific.

But my favorite bay rum right now is the Bigelow's after-shave balm. Great scent, great on the skin. Now I need to round up some of their bay rum cologne.