New Fragrance Review: Providence Perfume Co Bay Rum Eau de Cologne by Charna Ethier + Not for Men Only Draw

ppc bay rum seamen cafleurebon

Sailing Men, Charles Thomas

Although absolutely none of the men in my life wore Bay Rum aftershave or cologne, I have always felt a strong pull to it. The smell is somehow mysterious and historical, and, as it turns out it has quite a history as part of the daily toilette of seafaring men. There are sure not a lot of ways to have a shower on a frigate, and the crew could get a bit ripe. They would rub themselves with bay leaves for the scented oil, and eventually created a liquid version by soaking the leaves in the fermented sugar concoction called rum. Bay rum has been refined over the years and is part of the classic colognes worn by gentlemen. Newport, Rhode Island was at one point the rum capital of the world, and to touch on that heritage, perfumer Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co in Rhode Island has created an all-natural Bay Rum Eau de Cologne, full of local rum and bay leaves, and other fragrant goodies. I was looking forward to reviewing this, because it is made with all botanical ingredients and because I think bay rum scents in general have been unfairly relegated to the dressing tables of nicely-groomed men. I think women are going to love this.

ppc bay rum portsmouth point cafleurebon

Portsmouth Point, artist unknown

When I put Bay Rum on, I get a rush of sweet rum, mingled with an almost medicinal, spicy bay. Allspice gives the bay a heady boost. There is a nostalgic touch of lime (my father wore a lime cologne sometimes). The waft is sublime. This is perfectly blended: some notes are crystal-clear, while others are just hanging out being incredibly useful, adding panache and a bit of floral headiness. I can envision walking down a busy dock, weatherworn ships of many shapes; crates of cargo being unloaded and loaded by equally weatherworn seamen. I can smell the ever-present rum, the exotic spices, the essential fresh limes, and the salty smell of the sea. As it dries down, it becomes a little more subdued, but it is gorgeous from start to finish.

charna

Perfumer Charna Ethier

Ms. Ethier has composed a scent that is not overly masculine, but drenched in beautiful natural components that have a story to tell everyone. Of course, gents who already have a bay rum fragrance in their collection will have to try this, as well as ladies who enjoy boozy, spicy scents that aren't sticky sweet. This version makes other bay rum fragrances pale in comparison. I want to add it to my collection.

Notes: locally distilled rum, fresh lime, allspice, bay, sea spray, and soft floral notes of jasmine and ylang ylang.  Each flask of Bay Rum cologne is bottled with a West Indian bay leaf which continues to infuse the fragrance with its exotic spicy aroma.

My samples were provided by Providence Perfume Co. 3.4 oz/$65 Available at Providence Perfume Co and coming soon to select stockists in the USA.

Tama Blough, Managing Editor

ppc bay rum bottle bottle afleurebon

We have a wonderful treat for our US readers: a 3.4 oz. bottle of Providence Perfume Company Bay Rum Eau de Cologne. Let us know what appeals to you about this scent, and if you have a favorite Providence Perfume Co. scent. Draw ends August 30, 2014.

We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.

 

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27 comments

  • I love rum, spices, and also sea notes. My favorite Providence Perfume scent is currently Gypsy. Thank you for the giveaway! I’m in the US.

  • Bay Rum sounds amazing and I love the idea using real rum and bottling it with a bay leaf inside! I love all of Charna’s work and I’m sure this will be another wonderful addition to her all natural line!
    Thank you!

  • My mother used to burn this candle that was bay rum scented. The smell was entrancing and I absolutely loved it. When I got older I realized bay rum existed in cologne fragrances. To this day I still love the smell no matter what time of year it is. I am thrilled to hear about this Bay Rum. I love the notes and the natural ingredients she has used to create this fragrance. Every single ingredient is a favorite and I can already tell my chemistry would be loving this. I’m thrilled to be entered into this great drawing. Thanks for sharing the creation and great article. In the USA.

  • DNEM Just wanted to say that I got a chuckle out of this review, especially since rum is my absolute favorite of the harder liquors to drink. Bay Rum is made from “locally distilled rum, fresh lime, allspice, bay” and other botanicals. So is this a bottle of cologne or a bottle of flavored rum? 😉

  • julesinrose says:

    I sometimes buy a locally made bay rum soap. I love the smell. I fin bay rum totally nostalgic but I have no idea why! The enthusiasm of this review makes this woman want to try wearing bay rum (especially PPC’s version, of course). I don’t know why it’s never occurred to me!

    I like Branch & Vine. Thank for the lovely review and draw!

  • What a great idea for a fragrance, i love that smell, my father used to use a bay rum cologne, ah wonderful memories. And now is being made all natural and with that talented nose. I’d love to win it. Thanks for the draw and for the awesome review.

  • rivercitylizzy says:

    I love the idea of including a bay leaf in each bottle to continue infusing; what a unique and practical concept! Branch and Vine still rides high on my love list for Providence Perfume Co. I am in the US and thanks for the draw!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    this is the first time i have heard about a natural perfumer creating a bay rum fragrance..i would like to add one thing that even though most bay rum fragrances have been inspired or come from West Indies, Alfred Dunhill also produced a short-lived bay rum fragrance which was quite potent..thanks for the wonderful draw Charna. i am in the US

  • What appeals to me about this scent is the spicy-ness! The description sounds perfect for my partner and myself to share on warm tropical pacific nights. The Bay leaf must be very interesting as well. I am in the US. A very generous draw, thank you.

  • My favorite Providence Perfume Co. scent is Tuberose Gardenia, and this sounds transporting! I’m in the US.

  • what appeals to me? well, of course it’s a natural perfume and even within that Charna delights and surprises a la infused bay leaf here.

    the history of therapeutic/utilitarian perfuming use is made manifest and new again, and that is something i think could benefit everyone in more than just perfume applications.

    but really, what i want to point out here, we are having such a golden opportunity to see very talented artists, such as Charna, in the genesis of their art! it’s as exciting as watching Keith Haring rise from the subways to Times Square.

    a favorite PPC? Rose Boheme and Hindu Honeysuckle are pieces of olfactory art.

    thank you for taking us aboard with this lovely review and draw!

  • Whatvappeals to me about this fragrance? The rum, spices and jasmine of course. i dont have a favorite, but Rose Boheme sounds like I one I would like. thanks for the draw. im in the US

  • Natural ingrediants that include rum and lime? I’m in. I do have a favorite, it’s Sarmarinda. US

  • Rum always reminds me of the Caribbean so I’m thinking this scent would do the same 🙂 I didn’t know about the Newport connection and it’s always great to learn something new! I love Rose Bourne. US resident. Thanks!

  • Love the bay leaf idea and the sea spray note it appealing. From the Providence Perfume Co. I already enjoy the Tabac Citron EdP. 🙂 usa here.

  • I’ve never smelled a bay rum fragrance, but rum, lime, and jasmine together sounds fantastic! My favorite Providence Perfume Co. fragrance so far has been Tabac Citron. I’m in the US. Thanks for the drawing!

  • I didn’t know that Newport, RI was at one point the rum capital of the world (I thought rum was mainly a Caribbean product). I think it’s very appealing that the perfume was directly inspired by the history of the company’s home state and namesake — it reinforces the notion of fragrance as memory as well as underscores the company brand. I haven’t tried a lot of Providence Perfume Co. fragrances, but of those I’ve sampled, I really like Branch & Vine. I live in the US.

  • I love the article that Tama write and Charna’s perfumes. My favorite is Charna’s Moss Gown. Count me in on this generous give away .

  • Great review! My favorite Providence Perfume is Tabac Citron.
    I live in the U.S.
    Thank you!

  • Right off the bat, a boozy spicy scent that isn’t sticky sweet caught my attention. I am not a fan of sweets (whether eaten or smelled), so this appeals to me. This would be my first interaction with a Providence Perfume.

    Thanks for the draw. I am in the US.

  • I love bay and rum, however all the bay rums I’ve tried so far have been too sweet, so hopefully this one bucks the trend. This would be my first Providence Perfume.

  • I love the idea of an updated bay Rum, and the line about boozy-but-not-sweet was definitely a big draw also. Thanks! (And i do live in the USA.)

  • I have a beautiful scent memory of Bay Rum! I won’t go in to detail as it is a bit personal from long ago 😉 So naturally this one appeals to me. The notes sound sublime, I like Tama would enjoy this one just for me. I love Charna’s work and my favorite just happens to be the the same as Jane’s, Moss Gown. Thank you Charna for the generous draw.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    My a favorite Providence Perfume Co. scent is Osmanthus Oolong and I would love to try this new one. I like that this Bay Rum scent is all-natural and has the added touch of a bay leaf in each bottle.

  • Excellent, a scent that will remind me of my honeymoon in the Dominican Republic…besides its very cool to get a men’s specific cologne. Thank you for the draw. From the USA.

  • I love the scent of bay rum! My favorite Providence Perfume is Osmanthus Oolong. Thanks so much for the chance. I’m in the U.S

  • Bay rum with sea spray – what could be more perfect? I always associate bay rum with my brother – ever the traditionalist even in his aloha shirt. What a wonderful draw to end the summer.