Fantastic shave setup and wonderful lather, Joseph.
I never smelled the older version of the B&M Bay Rum, but the excelsior base version I own does have as a distinct citrus smell.

Actually received this email from B&M...
"Hi Joseph! I'm sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy this jar. However, if I can make two notes: 1) While we no longer list it on the ingredient label for spacing reasons, there is very much still pimenta racemosa oil used in the fragrance, as well as orange oil, benzoin, rum, and a synthetic cinnamon accord. 2) We actually INCREASED the strength of the fragrance for the transition to Excelsior, so I'm not sure why it would smell less strongly to your nose. However, it's definitely stronger than previous iterations. Either way, glad to hear that it shaves well. Thanks again!"
My response:
"Thanks for reaching out.
I stand corrected about the inclusion of the pimenta racemosa. You should list it if it’s true.
Regarding scent strength, I just shaved with the old version for 16 straights shaves. You can verify this by my posted SOTD’s on every shave forum. I know what it smelled like and I am sorry but the new version does not have nearly the punch that the old one did."


FLASH!!!!!
Just heard back from Will at B&M:
"Interesting. As I said, we did increase the fragrance load for the transition to Excelsior (by a full 25%), so my only explanation for your experience would be variations in the natural materials, most likely the bay oil, which is, unfortunately, beyond our control. The bay crop has been hit extremely hard in recent years, and the bay oil that we HAVE been able to source is a touch rough, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if that accounted for the difference."

There it is, friends. Never doubt Primo.

It's simply not the same...

Stellar shave, Evan! I enjoy the scent of the AV Musk better after it settles in the drydown.

Thanks, Joe. If I was new to this soap, I would give it high marks, but because I was such a fan of the old, this new one doesn't thrill me as much.

AND...defend their decisions to their fans. THAT is really unfathomable. Can you say: New Coke?

Thanks, Danny!

Thanks, Patrick. We'll see if they post my review...

Thanks, I was curious what caused the price differences (Trafalgar is much cheaper).

Great looking shave, Joe! The result speaks for itself.

Thanks Andrew. I like AV Musk well enough. It came out in 1975 and Stetson came out in 1981. The notes are very different so maybe my nose just confirmed what I already knew. They were released in the same era.

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Excellent shaves with some dependable gear, Patrick!

Wow hard to keep up in Here. Lol
( Post count )

Great pictures guys and Shaves.


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Thanks Joe.

Post 5302 has updated and important information regarding B&M Bay Rum.

Thanks Andrew!

That is the perfect winter

Thank you Patrick.