I consider menthol the basis of the mint essence of any mint whether peppermint spearmint etc:Menthol is a compound of different mints, but I never associated it with straight up mint. Maybe it’s how some see anise and licorice as the same, or lemon and lime. Maybe, I’m just more perceptive of differences.
I’ve had a mint homeblend once. I didn’t find it menthol-ish at all. More Altoidish. But, I’m neither a menthol or mint fan.
Menthol - Wikipedia
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