Bay Rum: "Bay Oil" vs. "Spice"?

[sehrgut]

I'm curious as to the evolution of the "bay rum" scent. I fell in love with bay rums with Ogallala's line of aftershaves, and started trying to accumulate bay rums from all and sundry. When I first got a bottle of Dominica, I thought, "That's not bay rum!" and the same for the SCS.

It seems most "bay rum" fragrances are dominated by spice notes, and have little if any detectable "bay oil" fragrance to them at all. (In fact, the only one of the "spice" types I list below I can detect it in is the Pinaud.)

Interestingly enough, if I' gotten the Royall set about a month and a half ago, I'd've wondered what the stuff labelled "Bay Rhum" was, and been convinced the bottle labelled "Spyce" was really the "Bay Rhum"!

I've listed my collection below, divided into the two types. Thoughts?

"Spice" type

Col. Conk's Bay Rum soap
Susie's Bubbles Goat's Milk Bay Rum soap
Master Bay Rum splash
Ogallala Bay Rum splah
Ogallala Bay Rum and Sandalwood splash
Ogallala Bay Rum, Limes, and Peppercorns splash
Pinaud Bay Rum splash
C.O. Bigelow Bay Rum balm


"Bay Oil" type

Dominica Bay Rum and Lime splash
Royall Bay Rhum splash
Taylor of Old Bond Street Bay Rum splash
Saint Charles Shave Bay Rum with a Twist cologne


No, I'm not trying to get rid of any of them. Quit drooling.

[labrat_333]

I wonder if you sorted your collection by price if it would be similarly arranged. The thought being the difference could be the quality of fragerance used. EO, FO, or which bay tree was used. I have noticed in some cases rather than tradional Bay Rum it has evolved into Rum with Bay leaves.

While the West Indian bay tree, (Pinenta racemosa) was the traditional source of bay rum, I know Dominica Bay rum uses Noble Bay Laurel Tree (Laurus nobilis), and Royall Bay Rhum claims to use Oil from (Murcia acris) of which I can find nothing about. However I did find an Oil of Myrcia from (Pimenta acris not Myrcia acris) that claims to have been used in making Bay Rum, and Pimenta acris is a variety of Pimenta racemosa.

So, while probably nothing you didn't know it's an thought.

[sehrgut]

While the West Indian bay tree, (Pinenta racemosa) was the traditional source of bay rum, I know Dominica Bay rum uses Noble Bay Laurel Tree (Laurus nobilis), and Royall Bay Rhum claims to use Oil from (Murcia acris) of which I can find nothing about. However I did find an Oil of Myrcia from (Pimenta acris not Myrcia acris) that claims to have been used in making Bay Rum, and Pimenta acris is a variety of Pimenta racemosa.

Caryophyllus racemosus, Pimenta racemosa, P. acris, and Murica acris are synonymous. I highly doubt Dominica uses L. nobilis, because it's a very pure P. racemosa scent, and nothing like the European bay tree -- that sounds more like a copywriter getting their facts wrong.


I wonder if you sorted your collection by price if it would be similarly arranged.

The "nice" ones are definitely more bay, less spice. However, bay oil is rather inexpensive, so I think it's more a target-market effect than a cost-of-materials one (i.e. the high-end market knows what bay rum smells like, while the low-end market wants something that smells strong). It's an interesting idea I hadn't thought of before . . . hmmm . . .

[john.crissman]

Great thread reading. I am very interested in hearing other insights. Very cool thread!

[sehrgut]

I highly doubt Dominica uses L. nobilis, because it's a very pure P. racemosa scent, and nothing like the European bay tree -- that sounds more like a copywriter getting their facts wrong.

Looks like my surmise was correct. The Calantilles site has been corrected to read:


The art of making authentic quality bay rum lies in the masterful blending of the purest of alcohol and the leaf oil extract from the Caribbean bay tree (Pimenta racemosa).

Though one page still had the old copy, citing L. nobilis, remaining.

[SMOKE]

For the "Spice" type, I have always favored the Pinaud. For the "Bay Oil" I truly enjoy the Dominica. My SCS is on it's way...Will let you all know how it goes!!:cool:

Kind Regards,

[Mottern Man]

Pick up some St. Johns :biggrin:

Knocks the socks off them all but Masters ain't bad for the price.

[SMOKE]

LOL..I truly appreciate the advice! I actually have some coming from a trade I just made!! Now I'm really looking forward to trying that one!!!!


Thanks!!!