Made The Bay Rum...

[roaduck]

...Finally all the ingredients arrived; got all my ducks in a row !

Erm couldn`t remember exactly how I did it last time but this one seems much better to me and The Dragon.

It`s not a typical commercial blend at all ; there is no laboratory synthetic chemicals in it whatsoever - all natural 100%.

Compared to a homemade one I sampled in Bermuda decades ago it`s a lot more vigorous but not "in your face" with the cloves.

I put two types of ginger root oil in - loads of that, plenty of sweet and bitter orange, heaps of lime and lemon, dash of cinnamon bark, no cloves at all, moderate amount of vanilla oil, lots of black pepper and two types of West Indian bay oil; and the organic Pimento was mega.

Just used the Red Leg Spiced Jamaican Rum - no vodka, no isopropyl alcohol and no glycerine (got a litre - no need)

First impressions, erm very distinctive indeed - much more prominent than any shop bought lab-made synthetic chemical cocktail blend.

The white glass pen has gone wonky so I`ll print some self-adhesive labels from my phone piccies in town tomorrow no probs.

The Dragon says it knocks the Pinaud Clubman Bay Rum into a cocked hat - it`s certainly authentic - I`m sure my mates will love it tomorrow - just done ten this time, didn`t manage to do all the perfumes ; have only got fifteen ready - just made another four this week already had eleven.

Got about a dozen candles - not Christmas ones - they`ll have to do and a gallon of Johnny`s herbal Winter tonic - not decanted yet `cos got no bottles so will use mixer bottles in the pub tomorrow and still can`t find my set of mini stainless funnels so will use a bar shot measure or little jug instead - problem sol...ved !

It`ll deffo be enough entrance fee to the pub tomorrow and they pay me for the bluesy tenor sax and croaky singing once I have enough illegal (huge) White Russians and Moscow Mules and it all should go swimmingly.

I`ll have to go back again nearer Christmas because I have nowhere near enough homemade smellies - I just know what`ll happen - "Oh hiya Johnny what a lovely surprise...come in, what`s that wild smell ?"

It`ll be a blast and I`ll raise loads for Shelter and Crisis (our two homeless charities) plus the Hare Kryshnas and St. Lukes and St. Michaels and St. Johns round the corner.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Always nice to craft something special.

We do have some true bay rums in the USA.

I have one from Gabel's (traditioinal barbershop supply company). Just ethyl alcohol, water and bay tree oil. The ethyl alcohol is denatured with a bittering agent to avoid taxes. Tastes absolutely terrible even in trace amounts, otherwise it is harmless.

I have seen reviews of this aftershave where people complain "too much clove" or "does not last long enough". They don't understand the bay tree (or spice tree) oil has some of the same scent notes as clove, nutmeg, etc. but there is no clove in there at all. Zero. Not lasting a long time is a plus. It is a sign the aftershave is based on natural bay tree oil instead of some synthetic chemicals.

 

[roaduck]

Thank you for that Northern Soul - I agree simple is best !

Just for a giggle my other half breathed on one bottle to make it deeper and much more complex so turning into something totally different and I think it came out really well actually but that bottle is definitely no longer bay rum splash anymore. I didn`t see her do it (secret recipe) hehe.

Now I can smell more vanilla, quite a bit of benzoin and more than a hint of elemi, true laurel leaf, petitgrain, bergamot and lemongrass ? yep - it`s more like a complete aftershave now but don`t know the ratios because it`s her recipe - I think she wanted competition in the pub - who`s is best ? It`ll be a scream anyway - always is.