Review - Bootlegger's Original Bay Rum
Background
Bootlegger's Aftershaves are a product of the good members of the Badger and Blade Forum community, with the initiative spearheaded by
@OkieStubble, who I am delighted to see has joined our Aussie Forum.
The Bootlegger's concept is to blend together a combination of drug-store aftershaves to produce a derivative product, hopefully with synergy such the blend results in a final product that is superior to the sum of its parts.
Recipe
- 1 part Pinaud Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum
- 1 part Master Bay Rum
- 1 part Superior 70 Alcoholado Bay Rum
Scent and Performance
It seems clear to me that much thought went into this blend. The Pinaud Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum has a very robust scent, with cloves and spices doing the heavy hitting. Conversely, the Master and Superior 70 Bay Rums are fresher and lighter, with the Master having a slight sweetness, and the Superior 70 having a very pure bay leaf note. This results in a very satisfying blend that is versatile and can be used in warmer weather, whilst remaining faithful to the Bay Rum genre. I would rate the scent of this blend as having medium longevity as an aftershave splash.
The blending philosophy carries through with face feel and performance. The Pinaud Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum is again robust, giving a resounding sting upon application, but can be a little drying. The Superior 70, whilst high in alcohol, seems to have a mitigating effect, and this is further enhanced by the Master Bay Rum, which contains substantial glycerin. On its own, I find the glycerin in the Master Bay Rum a little cloying, but the Bootlegger's blend thins this out, such that there is an initiative feeling of lubricity, which immediately dissipates leaving no residual stickiness. Nicely done indeed.
Summary
Outstanding work from
@OkieStubble and the assisting B&B community members. The Bootlegger's Original Bay Rum blend satisfies the Bootlegger's prime directive - a product that is superior to the sum of its parts. The scent is beautifully balanced, and the face feel is refreshing, whilst having a moisturising effect without any residual sticky feeling. It has shot to the top of my Bay Rum aftershave list as equal favourite alongside DR Harris.