Barrister and Mann

Nice review -- thanks! You mentioned the soap was soft. Is it close to being a cream? Or is it more a temperature-dependent kind of consistency?

Thanks! No, it's nothing like a cream. More of a "croap." It's relatively squishy between the fingers.

Nice review -- thanks! You mentioned the soap was soft. Is it close to being a cream? Or is it more a temperature-dependent kind of consistency?

Thanks!  No, it's nothing like a cream.  More of a "croap."  It's relatively squishy between the fingers.

I just used my Figgy Puddin' soap last night and I think it's similar to what you describe. Makes for easy brush loading. I love the Reserve aftershaves, so I can't wait to try these matching soaps.

Oh, out of curiosity, is the soap red/pink like the aftershave?

Just splashed on some Lavanille today and noticed for the first time what struck me as a fennel/anise scent. Fairly strong at first, then faded to the smell I expected. I've never noticed this before. Is this a space/time/smell anomaly, or is there actually something in the formulation that for some reason I'm only now picking up on after using this stuff for months?

Oh, out of curiosity, is the soap red/pink like the aftershave?

They're mostly white, but do have a very slight tint to them, yes.

Just splashed on some Lavanille today and noticed for the first time what struck me as a fennel/anise scent. Fairly strong at first, then faded to the smell I expected. I've never noticed this before. Is this a space/time/smell anomaly, or is there actually something in the formulation that for some reason I'm only now picking up on after using this stuff for months?

There is indeed anise in Mousse de Saxe, but I rarely tell people because I have found that, if I were to say anything about it, the power of suggestion would ensure that I would immediately start hearing, "All I smell is licorice! You used too much anise!" In reality, the anise level is very low, though the isobutyl quinoline and seaweed absolute enhance its presence a bit.

Just splashed on some Lavanille today and noticed for the first time what struck me as a fennel/anise scent. Fairly strong at first, then faded to the smell I expected. I've never noticed this before. Is this a space/time/smell anomaly, or is there actually something in the formulation that for some reason I'm only now picking up on after using this stuff for months?

There is indeed anise in Mousse de Saxe, but I rarely tell people because I have found that, if I were to say anything about it, the power of suggestion would ensure that I would immediately start hearing, "All I smell is licorice! You used too much anise!" In reality, the anise level is very low, though the isobutyl quinoline and seaweed absolute enhance its presence a bit.

Is that why you discontinued Anise & Vetiver? One of my favourites which is on deck for tomorrow There is something to be said for leaving things to the imagination rather than "constraining" the experience in the manner you describe. There are definitely those who wish to know every detail and others who are happy to allow their nose and their mind to take them where it will.
Thanks,
Marko

Just splashed on some Lavanille today and noticed for the first time what struck me as a fennel/anise scent. Fairly strong at first, then faded to the smell I expected. I've never noticed this before. Is this a space/time/smell anomaly, or is there actually something in the formulation that for some reason I'm only now picking up on after using this stuff for months?

There is indeed anise in Mousse de Saxe, but I rarely tell people because I have found that, if I were to say anything about it, the power of suggestion would ensure that I would immediately start hearing, "All I smell is licorice! You used too much anise!" In reality, the anise level is very low, though the isobutyl quinoline and seaweed absolute enhance its presence a bit.

Is that why you discontinued Anise & Vetiver?  One of my favourites which is on deck for tomorrow  There is something to be said for leaving things to the imagination rather than "constraining" the experience in the manner you describe.  There are definitely those who wish to know every detail and others who are happy to allow their nose and their mind to take them where it will.  
Thanks,
Marko

No, Anise & Vetiver was discontinued because people just straight-up didn't like it. I've actually made a few prototypes for myself that add lavender to the mix, and the combination works extremely well, but it's not something I'd ever want to put into production. People are just too weird about anise and fennel in general.

There is indeed anise in Mousse de Saxe, but I rarely tell people because I have found that, if I were to say anything about it, the power of suggestion would ensure that I would immediately start hearing, "All I smell is licorice! You used too much anise!" In reality, the anise level is very low, though the isobutyl quinoline and seaweed absolute enhance its presence a bit.

Is that why you discontinued Anise & Vetiver?  One of my favourites which is on deck for tomorrow  There is something to be said for leaving things to the imagination rather than "constraining" the experience in the manner you describe.  There are definitely those who wish to know every detail and others who are happy to allow their nose and their mind to take them where it will.  
Thanks,
Marko

No, Anise & Vetiver was discontinued because people just straight-up didn't like it. I've actually made a few prototypes for myself that add lavender to the mix, and the combination works extremely well, but it's not something I'd ever want to put into production. People are just too weird about anise and fennel in general.

I agree, seems that many don't like those two things. Not sure why. I personally love fireside and I hope you find a way to bring it back sometime.

Or just make a batch for me as a one off.

There is indeed anise in Mousse de Saxe, but I rarely tell people because I have found that, if I were to say anything about it, the power of suggestion would ensure that I would immediately start hearing, "All I smell is licorice! You used too much anise!" In reality, the anise level is very low, though the isobutyl quinoline and seaweed absolute enhance its presence a bit.

Is that why you discontinued Anise & Vetiver?  One of my favourites which is on deck for tomorrow  There is something to be said for leaving things to the imagination rather than "constraining" the experience in the manner you describe.  There are definitely those who wish to know every detail and others who are happy to allow their nose and their mind to take them where it will.  
Thanks,
Marko

No, Anise & Vetiver was discontinued because people just straight-up didn't like it. I've actually made a few prototypes for myself that add lavender to the mix, and the combination works extremely well, but it's not something I'd ever want to put into production. People are just too weird about anise and fennel in general.

Yeah well, you know what those people can do right? Yeah, not buy it... Funny but I've found over the years that a lot of different products that I like/love get discontinued. Johnson & Johnson liquid band-aid for example, best thing hands down for knuckle splits but its gone and theres nothing that I've found on the market that comes close. Miss Vickies Plain Crinkle Cut potato chips so good and thick like salty pieces of wood but gone. Now Anise & Vetiver too. I'm betting that most of the people who didn't like it didn't try it but rejected it outright base on the name. You should have given it a non-scent related name like you did with Leviathan and Hallows then folks would have bought it and if they still rejected it after using/smelling it then at least it would be a fair rejection. That won't stop me from enjoying it. Thanks

No, Anise & Vetiver was discontinued because people just straight-up didn't like it. I've actually made a few prototypes for myself that add lavender to the mix, and the combination works extremely well, but it's not something I'd ever want to put into production. People are just too weird about anise and fennel in general.

Fixed that for you.