A story of Two Bay Rums – Burt’s Bees and SCS Bay Rum with a Twist

By Thomas

Every time a woman comments on the simplicity of the male mind, I suspect an insult and feel compelled to defend the virtue of simplicity. Take Bay Rum, which is quite possibly the simplest of concoctions. On the surface – start with a bottle of dark rum, add a few bay leaves, some cloves, and let it blend a while. Eventually, you have a basic Bay Rum cologne – suitable for pirates…but not recommended if you’re driving.

From there, you have variations on the venerable Bay Rum theme. By itself, Bay Rum is dry and spicy. Burt’s Bees Bay Rum takes the original theme and adds warmth and depth with a bit of fruit and a prominent cedar note. The kicker on this one is that it comes and goes – my nose loses the initial application, and then it comes back when I least expect it. It’s still crisp and masculine and appropriate for the office (despite the Rum connotation). Good for summer, better in the fall.

Saint Charles Shave is a small outfit that makes shaving goods and colognes. Their Bay Rum with a Twist adds a wallop of sweet lime to the Bay Rum, making it smell like a mojito. I’d call this one lime first, bay rum second, if pressed for the true notes. This, however, is a fantastic summer scent (grilling by the pool, anyone), longevity is decent but for the preposterously low price you won’t shed a tear at blowing through a bottle.

There are other variations on Bay Rum - Ogallala’s excellent buttery Bay Rum, George Trumper’s spare, dry rendition, and even a version that features sweet orange oil (in shaving soap form). The great thing is: they are all simple scents done well at reasonable prices. Every man should have a bottle of Bay Rum if only to remind himself that simplicity is a virtue, and those who deride it are simply jealous.

Saint Charles Shave Bay Rum with a Twist
Notes: Lime, Bay Leaves, Rum, Spices

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