Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum
by Pinaud

Pinaud's Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum is a bay rum in name, mostly, and it shares some things in common with the real deal. However, to my nose, there's little to no bay in there. VIBR is a nicely balanced, warm-spice combo of primarily cinnamon and clove that goes on smelling like gingerbread cookies. After drydown, it's the clove oil that lingers longest, providing an all-day slighty spicy, slightly antiseptic smell. That sounds worse than it is, really, since the lingering aroma just smells "clean", with a little spice.

If you want a real, classic, green-herbal-spice bay rum, go with Dominica. If you want a vanilla-spicy version, or want your bay rum enhanced with other essential oils, Ogallala is your brand. I still wear VIBR, though, because even more than the original Clubman, this is Barbershop in a Bottle. And there are worse things in the world than going through your day smelling well-groomed.

2nd December, 2011.

Smells like a batch of freshly baked gingerbread cookies, doused in cloves, and cinnamon. Also reminds me of Christmas and those cinnamon hard candies from Brach's.

How amazing this would be in an EDT spray or perfume.

12nd April, 2011.

Trust me, I'm no expert in bay rums. I've only casually sampled a couple in stores, and I once owned a bottle of Burts Bees' terrible Bay Rum. That's the extent of my exposure to bay rum.

It's my impression from reading reviews that good bay rums are supposed to be loud and intense, though short-lived. That being said, I can say that Clubman's Bay Rum is a very well balanced fragrance, particularly for a bay rum, and I like it very much. Though this is quite spicy, the clove and cinnamon notes do not overpower this scent, and they counterbalance the boozy sweetness of the base notes very nicely. This isn't a rough, jagged bay rum, but a rather smooth one. I almost feel like I could pour this into a glass with some ice and drink it. Of course, the longevity is awful, clocking in at about an hour. Reapplication is not only necessary if you want to smell like this all day, but is actually quite enjoyable. Bring you bottle to work!

I can't tell if this is like other Pinauds, namely serving as both a fragrance and an aftershave. I have to think this is meant solely as a cologne, because it makes a lousy aftershave. I slapped this on my face after a shave a few weeks ago, and it burned like fire and left red splotches on my face. That was the first and last time I will ever use this as an aftershave. This will stay in my wardrobe as a fragrance only.

This is definitely worth picking up. Virgin Island Bay Rum is yet another example of the excellent fragrance products that Pinaud continues to release at ridiculously low prices.

MY RATING: 8/10

17th December, 2010.

I like it. I often get compliments when I wear it. Very well priced.

7th December, 2010.

There are numerous Bay Rum Incarnations around, I however went for a Pinaud creation as they have a touch of class. Yes I agree that the Cloves take over this Fragrance, but it has a kick that I love that interacts with these Cold Winter Days and Nights. It last on me up to 6 hours and Projects very well. You can buy this for £9.00 if you know where to look. Well worth getting and a little treasure.

Rating: 7/10

3rd December, 2010.

Spicy! CLOVES!!! Cinnamon.

I still have personal uncertainties about this one. I think it inoffensive and after an hour it is less edgy. At present, it fits well as a jeans/flannel or dobby shirt/wide plain leather belt/chukka or field shoe scent.

I don't smell it a lot on others but I would not use this as a signature scent.

30th April, 2010.