Atomic Age Bay Rum
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements (2017)

This review is for the aftershave/cologne.

Bay rum isn’t a style I enjoy, and though Atomic Age is very well done, I can’t quite get into it.

The opening has an excellent bay note that is uniquely green, at least among the bay rums I’ve tried. It’s not quite the effect of crushed, pulpy leaves, but close. This is supported nicely by a bit of ambery booziness and subtle spice (though no clove, in case you were wondering). At this point, I’m almost tempted to buy a bottle, as it’s not your dad’s bay rum - it’s bright and almost herbal.

After an hour or so, Atomic Age Bay Rum becomes less green and more ambery in tone, especially when applied under my shirt (as opposed to my arms). Here, too, I really enjoy how things develop. It’s nicely balanced and perfectly fit for a fall afternoon.

In the base things get sweeter and the spices come to the fore. This is where my enthusiasm wanes. It’s not bad, but just a bit grating, especially in warmer weather (where I would argue a bay rum is best suited).

I know this has its fans, and I can see why, as there’s nary a hint of anything discordant or synthetic. That said, I’m just not a bay rum guy, and though this one is wonderfully natural and smooth, it hasn’t made me a bay rum believer…yet.

I would recommend trying this, regardless, as well as a few of PAA’s “flankers” to Atomic Age. In particular, Atomic Pumpkin (pumpkin pie - a fall seasonal), Space Nog (spiced egg nog - a winter seasonal), Boomtown (gun flint and leather), and Coconut Bay (coconut lime pie) are all unique variations on this DNA worth sampling. PAA also has a few bay rum alternatives to Atomic Age that I prefer, namely: Captain Smythe’s Reserve Bay Rum and Clasico Bay Rum. The former adds leather and the latter tones down the spice.

I got the EDP, and you should too . . .

OK , I've finally found the best Bay Rum.
I can't quite say that now I can die a happy man.

(Perhaps if Creed once again stocked Royal English Leather, Vintage Tabarome and Hermes brought back Edmond Roudnitska's
Eau d'Hermes)
--Well, I can dream, can't I ?

No, I don't detect cloves. In fact I can't detect anything that smells particularly synthetic.
Yes, it's niche has several flankers which I won't mention at present. It is aged in Oak Barrels, and smells like a pure version of Bay Rum.

So, if you love Bay Rum, give it a whirl. It's old school masculine. And some may be put off by that description but at my age I don't need to attract women with daddy issues; I need those that have grandpa issues; so 'old school' suits me just fine. :)

Just try not to take up a cutlass and fly a skull and crossbones over your ship. You just might be tempted . . .

It smells very very very spicy, with clove prominent in it. Its name is Bay Rum, but to be frank, an earthy/soily smell of cloves dominates bay leaves. The details of the notes of this cologne are not listed anywhere, but I get notes like ginger, cloves, bay leaves, pepper. even if the brand has emphasized that cloves are not used in it.

All of the notes have a natural vibe. What I can say is that its spicy side dominates its woody and aromatic sides.
Also, I can't consider this a "chic" aftershave. Its spicy odor is very local, as if we are dealing with a potion of cloves.

Atomic Age Bay Rum Aftershave / Cologne Splash
by Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements -

Two thumbs way up! This is my second fragrance from PAA, the other being "Cavendish", an excellent pipe tobacco eau de parfum.

Atomic Age Bay Rum beats its drum after literally being aged in oak barrels so not only does it smell fantastic-liciously of bay and spices, but it's also extremely well blended with not a hint of synthetics to be found.

I know some aftershave hounds love the 15 second "burn" upon application, but this one doesn't fit that profile. It isn't greasy or slick either so you will just have to deal with it being damn near perfect!

5 stars

This is also my favorite Bay Rum of all the ones I've tried from many companies. AABR is wonderful. The barrel aged bay rum spiciness is on point in every way for me, whereas other bay rum's I've tried have had nice elements to them, they haven't been as enjoyable or balanced as Atomic Age Bay Rum. This holds it's own against so many of my extremely expensive fragrances and is just as enjoyable as almost all of them. I also love PAA's flankers of Atomic Age Bay Rum. In fact, Coconut Bay with Lime is my favorite and just barely edges Atomic Age Bay Rum as my fave from the entire PAA line. Atomic Pumpkin is also very nice as well.

The bottom line is that Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements has some excellent fragrances that go unnoticed by many because they are a wet shaving company...but they shouldn't go unnoticed because many of their offerings are just flat out excellent.

To me, Atomic Age Bay Rum is first and foremost a spiced orange scent, with a bracing overload of spices, smooth bay rum, and some woodiness. A bit rustic, but in a way that is pleasing. The barrel-aged textures give it a unique, artisanal touch.