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Traditional Bay Rum

Ok, so this scent confuses me somewhat. I've tried three different versions of this classic scent and I'm wondering what it should actually smell like. I right now own Col. Conk Bay Rum Shaving Soap, Mama Bear's Caribbean Bay Rum Shave Soap, and today I received Pinaud Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum. How is it that all three of the products smell so differently, and which product do I have (or would have to purchase) would smell like the original Bay Rum?

 
Superior 70 is the real deal, I believe. Pinaud's is the only other Bay Rum I have, and it is a bit sweeter and smells "cheaper" to me.

Tell me how you think Mama Bear's Bay Rum smells, if you would. It is the only MB soap I own and it smells nothing like all of the other Bay Rums I've smelled.
 
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I'd have to ask a Barber about it. I suspect that there was more than one variety when we were first exposed to it (those of us old enough to have visited the traditional Barber Shops I have in mind). We visited the Barber relatively often, and many Barbers used Bay Rum aftershave lotions on the trimmed edges around our ears and the sides of our necks where he used his Straight to give the hairline an even edge. chances are good different shops used different brands of Bay Rum, even back then. My memory about Barber Shops only goes back maybe 65 years now, is all (seven years old then).
 
I recently thought asking about this because I had a different perception of what this was supposed to smell like as well. I got a QCS cayman cream (bay rum) and I was expecting something caribbeanish (oceanish? Lol) or citrusy at the very least but when I opened the tub I got thanksgiving... I swear it smells like spice pumpkin pie to me.

I guess this is like "sandalwood." I've smelled (and used) 4 different -sandal creams- ones and they all smell different and I can't find any similarities between them, lol. I haven't used any other bay rum products other than QCS cayman.
 
i have a tin of soap that is bay rum. smells more like black licorice than anything else. i have nothing to compare it to.
 
No 2 ever smell the same to me. Conks Bay Rum soap is fairly close but a little too fruity for a true bay rum feel. Pinnauds is too spicy imho

Dominica is spot on in my opinion
 
Master bay rum is classic bay rum. Hell, all it's got in it is alcohol, water, bay leaf oil and coloring. Complex sweet/spicy/buttery scent. VIBR smells like a Xmas candle.
 
Ok, so this scent confuses me somewhat. I've tried three different versions of this classic scent and I'm wondering what it should actually smell like. ... and which product do I have (or would have to purchase) would smell like the original Bay Rum?

Since i think it originated at least as long ago as 1800s not sure any of us can give a definitive answer. As others have said, and you've experienced, all today's products seem to have their own take on it. Ironically, a month ago, i believed that i did not like bay rum. Now, after grabbing some Captain's choice, etc from Garry's Sample Shop, I now own (and like) Mike's Natural soap, Dominica B R Lime, Master's, and plan to order Captain's Choice and Krampert's. And yes, I admit to the AD syndromes, currently ASAD and SBAD :001_smile

BTW, Master's has Glycerin in addition to ingredients listed above by "Sir". And Jetmets is pretty much spot on about QCS, my wife and daughter both said i smelled "christmasy" and should save it for fall/winter holidays. Anyway, enjoy the search and journey thru the marvels of the many bay rums. cheers
 
i have a tin of soap that is bay rum. smells more like black licorice than anything else. i have nothing to compare it to.


Masters is my favorite. I have yet to find a soap that was the same sweet ans spice.


Strope shoppe's bay rum, which comes in a tin, smells like black licorice. Burt's bees bay rum also smells this way to me, esp their BR Cologne. It was too strong and had to be PIF'd.
 
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