Meehan Bay Rhum

The Story of Bay Rhum

The story of bay rhum begins with the discovery of the West Indies by Columbus in 1492. The medical supplies carried on Columbus’ flagship, the Santa Maria, included rum and rose water from the Canary Islands where they had been produced for centuries after introduction by Arabs from North Africa in the 8th century. These two components were now embraced by the West Indies.

Sugar cane, also from the Canary Islands, was introduced to the West Indies by Columbus on his second voyage. From this flourishing crop came molasses and rum.

It is not known when the idea of distilling rum over bay leaves first appeared, but it happened on St. John, Virgin Islands in the late 17th century. It was intended for drinking, but somehow evolved in the quintessential men’s toiletry.

The 17th century Danish traders on St. Thomas were the first to produce and export a lotion made from the distillate of rum and native bay leaves diluted with rose water. It became very popular in 18th century Europe, a favorite with yachtsmen and English sportsmen in general, and remains so to this day.




Meehan’s Bay Rhum is formulated in small batches by hand, entirely with authentic ingredients: Rum (made from cane sugar spirits), pure, natural Bay oils distilled from berries and leaves of the Pimenta Racemosa and Pimenta Officianalis (trees native to the West Indies), and rose water (just as called for in the original recipes).

Aged properly in the estate’s cellars, 100% botanical with no synthetic ingredients or coloring.

This is an exceptional Bay Rum, and you pay for it. At $42.00 it's one of the more expensive Bay Rums out there. Now they state this is a cologne, but I use it like an after shave. Put some in the palm of my hand, rub my two hands together, and either splash or rub the product on my face, neck, and forearms. Without a doubt, this stings a lot more than any other Bay Rum that I use, but the sting does not last long. You are left with a very fresh feeling face and you will smell like a million.

I was trying to pinpoint what the main difference was between Meehan and other Bay Rums that I use, and I believe it is not only the process used to make it, but also the use of rose water. Whatever it is, it will stay in my rotation of Bay Rums. I like it and my wife loves the way it smells.

Oh, and since this is a so called cologne, the scent last quite a bit longer that other Bay Rums that I use.