I'm just about to make a batch of bay rum - I've all the ingredients, if there is anyone (that's) tried before and can give any insights or stay away advise it would be appreciated!
In reply to the last couple of posts, I disagree wholeheartedly about ALL Bay Rums smelling the same. Might as well say all beer tastes the same and all curry dishes taste the same.
If Ambersnake is interested I copy below the ingeredients of my home made BR.
To be honest I wouldn't bother going to all the time, trouble and expense of making it again. Far easier to buy a bottle ... try a couple out and stick to the one you like best. And, yes, I tried a good few the ones readily available in the UK. Did also try a couple of the homemade ones made by fellow members here.
And those for sale only in the U.S. could be the best ever but if you can't get your hands on them in the UK (which is where I am) then it all becomes somewhat academic.
As it happens I made enough home-made stuff in which to float a battleship, so won't be buying any in the foreseeable - but if I were to buy some more it would probably just be the Clubman Pinaud Virgin Island Bay Rum - not expensive and, IMO as good as any, and that includes the Bello, which I had high hopes for, but which disappointed.
And finally, I have to say that, on the whole, I was disappointed in whole venture due to the fact that within five minutes of applying ANY of the ones I tried ..... it was gone. Non-existant. A distant memory. The initial application may well be vaguely entertaining but it's not a prolonged affair.
Here's the recipe for today, Jim.
I left it to stew for ages - I don't think it made any difference.
But good luck with yours.
3 fl. ozs Dark Rum
3 fl. ozs Vodka
3 fl. ozs Witch Hazel
20 peppercorns
20 juniper berries
4 pieces of dried star anise
15 grams fresh peeled and sliced ginger
1 cinnamon stick, broke in half
1 tablespoon crushed coriander seeds
40 drops Bay EO
30 drops Lime EO
12 drops orange EO
12 drops lemon EO
12 drops clove EO
12 drops Tea Tree oil
1 teabag ( Sainsbury's Earl Grey)
zest of one orange
zest of one lemon
1 whole vanilla pod, cut into 4