The history of rum as an ingredient in men's cologne dates back to the times when sailors sailed the Caribbean Sea in sloops and schooners. Some of the West Indies islands are home to the Bay Tree and it's scented leaves. The men would rub the leaves on their skin and the fragrance of the oils would help disguise the smell of weeks and months of laborious sea work. The addition of rum to the mixture helped bring out the essence of the oils in the bay leaves. Soon the sailors were adding various other ingredients including spices and herbs to the concoction. 

The High Desert Soap Co.'s Desert Rum After Shave lotion consists of many of the ingredients used by the early sailors plus a combination of our own special blends. By using Jamaican dark rum along with Witch Hazel and Isopropyl Alcohol we allow our mixture to sit for 30 days in a darkened area. The final result is a gentle, soothing and pleasant "splash" that offers a refreshing finish to the shave.