Dominica Bay Rum changed?

[eagle]

I finally went and got a bottle of Bay Rum Aftershave from Classicshaving. What I got was slightly different than what their webpage describes . Apparently, the bottle shape has changed (I don't like the new shape). I was also expecting the cap with cork top that I have heard about (got a plain old plastic cap). I'm a nostalgic type of guy, and I liked the idea of the cork. A bit dissapointed.

WHAT REALLY BUGS ME, though, is the classic webpage states that they use the oil from the Pimenta Racemosa, the bay tree that grows in the Virgin Islands. The bottle I got said it contained oil from the Noble Bay Laurel tree. This oil as I understand it comes from the Mediterranean area.

A couple years ago my wife and I were fortunate enough to be on vacation in St. John where we found Pimenta Racemosa and learned about the historic bay rum aftershave. We both loved the smell from the crushed leaves. The Dominica Bay Rum scent is not the same as the bay leaf aroma I remember.

What I do like is that there is nothing artificial in it. My wife is very allergic to any chemical fragrances, so I miss that part of shaving. But so far she is not bothered by the Dominica Bay Rum!! I think I'll come around to liking the new scent.

Still bugs me that Dominica changed, though.

[FiReSTaRT]

Actually I'm glad they got rid of the cork top. It broke off half-way through the bottle.

[wvbias]

My bottle of Dominica had a cork, but I wouldn't
have minded a screw on cap.

This bay rum is about the same price and
is advertised as Pimenta Racemosa. I may
order a bottle of it one day.

http://www.watkinsonline.com/starchi...fr=ourproducts


Terry

[eagle]

Thanks for the link Terry. Do they still sell this? I couldn't find it through their online catalogue, and I didn't see a price either. It looks like great stuff though.

I completely understand about the cork -- I was just being a cry baby.

[honedright]

I also sell the Dominica Bay Rum. Yes, the manufacturer has stopped using the cork stoppers and is now using screw tops. More cost effective?? The bottle shape has also changed slightly, but the contents is still 10 fl oz. of product.

As far as the type of bay leaf. I checked one of our bottles and the paper card that comes with the product in fact does list Noble Bay Laurel as the ingredient. The bottle label itself does not list the specific type of bay oil used.

Noble Bay Laurel, is the culinary bay leaf used in cooking and is very different from Pimenta Racemosa the Carribean bay rum tree. I've smelled both.

Fresh crushed Carribean bay tree leaves smell just like the bay rum in the Dominica bay rum bottles, only even more intense. Culinary bay leaves have a more savory odor. My nose tells me that the oil used in Dominica Bay Rum is in fact Pimenta Racemosa regardless of what the card lists.

I'm suspecting an error in the labeling as opposed to an error in the formulation. I will contact the distributor to get an answer. None of my customers have complained about this, and I've never noticed this before, but I'm glad you called my attention to it.

Scott

[wvbias]

I don't see it either. I did see it a few weeks
back. They may have discontinued it.

There is a phone number if you click on the
home link. You might want to call them and
ask.



Terry

[FiReSTaRT]

I've found the C-A customer service to be very friendly and forthcoming. I'm sure they'll clear up any misunderstandings.

[honedright]

Confirmed with the distributer that the Dominica Bay Rum does indeed contain distilled oil from the Carribean Bay and not the Noble Bay (culinary bay). The labeling on the paper tag is a mis-print. Unknown if the labeling will be corrected.


Scott