I'm curious about a good Bay Rum AS. Its one of the things on my shortlist, so I figured that I would come to you guys for recommendations. Splash or balm, either or is fine by me as I rotate both in my den. Looking for a good product that won't cost TOO much, but isn't something that will burn off my nose/face at the same time haha. Thanks gents!
Bay Rum
- Thread starter jaredsmith83
- Start date
Captains Choice. Best BR I've used
I may be steering you wrong because I like the cool/burn/sting of Ogallala Special Reserve double strength Bay Rum Cologne (not an AS but I use it as one)-- so even though I know better than to recommend that, you have to consider my next recommendation with this in mind:
I also like the very modestly priced, widely available old standard, Clubman Pinaud Virgin Island Bay Rum. Others will weigh in of course (and I will be watching because I am due to order a new bottle of something to try) but I think that the Pinaud is not excessive in its refreshing "slap-in-the face" feel. SWMBO likes the smell too and that's a good thing. I use it frequently, carry bottle in my gym bag, and apply liberally because it fades fast--- those around you after you first put it on might be teary eyed and sneezing for a short period, but that effect does not last long, I assure you! Good stuff and cheap.
I also like the very modestly priced, widely available old standard, Clubman Pinaud Virgin Island Bay Rum. Others will weigh in of course (and I will be watching because I am due to order a new bottle of something to try) but I think that the Pinaud is not excessive in its refreshing "slap-in-the face" feel. SWMBO likes the smell too and that's a good thing. I use it frequently, carry bottle in my gym bag, and apply liberally because it fades fast--- those around you after you first put it on might be teary eyed and sneezing for a short period, but that effect does not last long, I assure you! Good stuff and cheap.
I love Bay Rum, pretty much like everyone I have tried. I am also a big Pinaud brand fan, Clubman, Lilac Vegetal. I have and use Pinaud Virgin Island BR (PVIBR) but it is my least favorite. I find it to be very heavy on the spice and clove for me. I prefer bay rums that are almost all pure bay oil fragrance and light on anything else. You must try Master's Bay Rum (MBR) which you can find at Sally's Beauty Supply. Very reasonable at $9/15 oz. I am now using "PinMaster, a 50-50 blend of the PVIBR and MBR with a few drops of glycerine added.
x2 on Master Bay Rum. Readily available at a brick and mortar store (Sally Beauty Supply) and the price is right. It's in my normal weekly rotation.
- Thread starter
- #6
There's a Sally Beauty Supply here in town that I've been to before to get the Clubman mustache wax. I remember seeing the Clubman, but not really paying attention to any of it at the time. I think I may be ready to pay attention. The Pinaud collection in general has been grabbing my attention lately from things I've been seeing and hearing from others.
Captain's Choice original is the one. AFAIK the only balm in the running is Gilbert Henry.
Bootleggers Bay Rum. Cheap, long lasting, not to spicy or sticky, Feels great on the face with the right amount of glycerin and the perfect amount of burn.
And absolutely wonderful scent.
And absolutely wonderful scent.
Last edited:
I really like the one that Booster's makes. I feel like it's very under the radar but the scent is just perfect. Also, Royall makes a great one.
All good choices. I have a small number of them, Captain's Choice being my favorite.
Here's my considered opinion.
1. Stay away from Masters if you want a Bay Rum scent. Although my experience is limited to a sample size of 1, it has only vaguely any Bay Rum scent to it. (I like it and use it, but it ain't Bay Rum IMHO.)
2. Captain's Choice is a great Bay Rum in the middle of the price ranges. Classic Bay Rum scent, little to no clove scent but has the "spice" I associate with BR.
3. Same price range, Layrite No. 9. A little bit more spice to it without going overboard on the clove.
4. Dominica for the low end in price. Great Bay Rum scent. Darned inexpensive. 10 ounce bottle. Best bang for the buck for "real" Bay Rum experience.
Full disclosure: I have not tried Virgin Island Bay Rum. I am not overwhelmed with the range of Pinaud products I've tried. I also have no experience with Superior 70 which is another one a lot of people recommend for an inexpensive brand.
1. Stay away from Masters if you want a Bay Rum scent. Although my experience is limited to a sample size of 1, it has only vaguely any Bay Rum scent to it. (I like it and use it, but it ain't Bay Rum IMHO.)
2. Captain's Choice is a great Bay Rum in the middle of the price ranges. Classic Bay Rum scent, little to no clove scent but has the "spice" I associate with BR.
3. Same price range, Layrite No. 9. A little bit more spice to it without going overboard on the clove.
4. Dominica for the low end in price. Great Bay Rum scent. Darned inexpensive. 10 ounce bottle. Best bang for the buck for "real" Bay Rum experience.
Full disclosure: I have not tried Virgin Island Bay Rum. I am not overwhelmed with the range of Pinaud products I've tried. I also have no experience with Superior 70 which is another one a lot of people recommend for an inexpensive brand.
Captain's Choice, Ogallala or Dominica. Those are my three go to's.
I haven't yet tried Dominica, but I can definitely +1 Captain's Choice and also really really like Ogallala's Bay Rum, Lime & Peppercorn. Barclay Crocker has a bay rum sampler, and there are other sites that have samplers as well. I haven't gotten to Dominica yet in my sampler, but i think i just may do it tomorrow 
I only use Bay Rum aftershaves anymore. Most of the scents don't hang around very long which I like. My favorites are Captain's Choice and Ogallala. Ogallala has more clove in the scent, but I happen to like clove.
My bay rums include:
Favorites
Ogallala BR
Captain's Choice BR
Captain's Choice Cat O' Nine Tails (extra burn)
Likes
Ogallala BR, Sage & Cedar
Ogallala BR, Limes & Peppercorn
Ogallala Cologne
Ogallala Special Reserve Cologne
Ogallala BR, & Sandalwood (the strongest and longest lasting scent of the Ogallala line. I cut it with witch hazel or regular Ogallala to tone it down)
Superior 70 (pretty good for $3 at Walgreens, but it's not kept with the other aftershaves)
Bootleggers (Pinaud VIBR/Masters/Superior 70 mix)
Dislikes
Pinaud VIBR - too strong for me. Lasts all day unless cut with Masters and/or Superior 70
Masters BR - leaves my face tacky when used by itself
My bay rums include:
Favorites
Ogallala BR
Captain's Choice BR
Captain's Choice Cat O' Nine Tails (extra burn)
Likes
Ogallala BR, Sage & Cedar
Ogallala BR, Limes & Peppercorn
Ogallala Cologne
Ogallala Special Reserve Cologne
Ogallala BR, & Sandalwood (the strongest and longest lasting scent of the Ogallala line. I cut it with witch hazel or regular Ogallala to tone it down)
Superior 70 (pretty good for $3 at Walgreens, but it's not kept with the other aftershaves)
Bootleggers (Pinaud VIBR/Masters/Superior 70 mix)
Dislikes
Pinaud VIBR - too strong for me. Lasts all day unless cut with Masters and/or Superior 70
Masters BR - leaves my face tacky when used by itself
I use ogallala limes and peppercorns, i haven't tried any other bay rum aftershaves but I like it very much leaves my face smoothe and conditioned without feeling sticky very nice scent without being overpowering
Mine in order are:
Pinaud
Captains choice
my own blend
Bootleggers
Pinaud
Captains choice
my own blend
Bootleggers
+1 for Ogallala. Love it.
50/50 blend of Master and Pinaud VI. The blend is significantly better than either one separately.
I've only tried the Pinaud VI bay rum, but if you're interested, it smells quite spicy and cloves are definitely the top note. I like it a lot, but to me it smells almost identical to the pinecone potpourri you find around christmas time at Wal Mart. The burn is nice, and feels quite a bit like when you lick a Wrigley's Big Red gum wrapper and stick it to your face. 
Yep. I like it a lot.
Has anyone tried Colonel Conk's bay rum AS? I found the splash yesterday at a local store and it didn't seem very strong straight from the bottle, but I'd like to try it if anyone recommends it and I can work up the gall to add another bottle to my collection of about 10 (too much or just enough. I don't really want more).
Yep. I like it a lot.Has anyone tried Colonel Conk's bay rum AS? I found the splash yesterday at a local store and it didn't seem very strong straight from the bottle, but I'd like to try it if anyone recommends it and I can work up the gall to add another bottle to my collection of about 10 (too much or just enough. I don't really want more).
+1 I get virtually no burn from CC.
But I like burn, so I also bought a bottle of Cat 'O Nine Tails
