Ingredient Guide
Bay rum is made by steeping the leaves of West Indian bay (Pimenta racemosa) in rum and then distilling them.
What Does It Smell Like in Perfume?
Bay rum is not a single fragrance material, but a traditional fragrance combining alcohol and water with the leaf oil of Pimenta racemosa, known as West Indian bay. The leaf oil contains eugenol, pinene, linalool, limonene, and other compounds, which create aromatic spiciness and a refreshing brightness. The additional fragrance materials vary from product to product, but the plant at its core is Pimenta racemosa, not the bay laurel, Laurus nobilis.
How to Choose Bay Rum Fragrances
Bay rum brings together fresh herbs and warm, clove-like spice. Even if you enjoy a refreshing cologne, the strength of its spices may be a deciding factor. Woods and musk also matter, alongside the brightness of citrus.
A Fragrance Featuring Bay Rum
Bay Rum Cologne Spray (St Johns)
St Johns combines bay leaf oil with Caribbean spices. Fresh orange and eucalyptus lead into warm clove and cinnamon. Basil, thyme, musk, patchouli and sandalwood are also part of the fragrance.
Find Your Next Fragrance
To explore more perfumes, open our Fragrance Finder. Choose “Favorite fragrances & notes” on the home screen, then search in the “Favorite notes” field. Select a note you like from the results and press “Next” to continue. You can start with notes even if you do not yet have a favorite perfume.
