#3,141

Member
Clayton, CA
Well I got my new winter offerings in the mailer the weekend. Used Eventide this morning. It is a really nice clean scent. The rose really cuts through for me, so I get that over the other notes. I suspect it may just be a personal thing. Tonight after my run I splashed on a little of the Promises. I have to say, I really, really like this one. First snow is one of my favorite B&M scents of all time, but after that, this has to be my favorite of the winter scents offered up to this point. Its a woodsy scent without the balsam. It is definitely an outdoors scent.


Karl
#3,142

Dazed and Confused
Ireland
(This post was last modified: 12-06-2017, 04:56 PM by beardybrewer.)
(12-05-2017, 02:39 AM)Karlm Wrote: Tonight after my run I splashed on a little of the Promises.  I have to say, I really, really like this one.  First snow is one of my favorite B&M scents of all time, but after that, this has to be my favorite of the winter scents offered up to this point.  Its a woodsy scent without the balsam.  It is definitely an outdoors scent.

I just got mine in the post today. Put me in mind a superior version of CRSW's Winter LE scent that just all around captures winter. Love it.
#3,143
You knew it was coming... In-depth review of Barrister and Mann Promises!

While primarily a "holiday scent" this latest release from Barrister and Mann called Promises has what it takes to shine the entire winter.
#3,144
(12-01-2017, 09:59 PM)wyze0ne Wrote: Who else ordered their Reserve Fern aftershave today? I got the soap to go along with it cuz you know, why not right...

I picked up Fern and Lavender - to go with the soaps I have. :p
#3,145

Maker of Soaps and Shaver of Men
Cooperstown, NY, USA
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2017, 03:54 PM by Barrister_N_Mann.)
(12-01-2017, 09:14 PM)Marcos Wrote: Any chance of an Unscented reserve based soap?

Pretty good chance at this point, yes. Not sure if we'll do a matching splash, though, since we also have balms in the works for Reserve and it feels a bit excessive to do both. Not sure I really want that much inventory floating around.

(12-02-2017, 03:39 AM)TheHunter Wrote:
(12-02-2017, 03:22 AM)wyze0ne Wrote:
(12-02-2017, 02:43 AM)TheHunter Wrote: I snagged the Fern Soap and Splash as well as the Lavender Soap and Splash. I had ordered the Fern/Lavender Reserve Sample Pack earlier to see if I liked them, and I think they both smell amazing. I waited to purchase the full sized Soaps until the Splashes came out so I could bundle them. I’m really looking forward to these, I think the scents are excellent and the Reserve Soap and Splash are some of the best I’ve used. Looking forward to Will expanding his Reserve line!

Same here. Got a sample of the Fern soap and knew I had to have it. Like you, I was waiting for the aftershave to drop for the bundle action. I haven't smelled the Lavender. Is it a straight up lavender or is there more going on? I typically find plain lavender scents to be kind of boring so that one didn't pique my interest. I would be interested to hear your (or anyone else's) thoughts.

To my nose the Soap is a very smooth Lavender without a lot of spiciness, and it also has some “earthiness” to me. There is some spice to it, but it doesn’t sting your nose like some other Lavender Soaps I’ve smelled. The closest thing the Lavender portion of the Soap reminds me of is Cape Verde from MLS, although to me Cape Verde has more going on. I would say B&M’s Lavender is “cleaner”,  but then it also has the earthiness going along with it, so to me it’s definitely not just straight up Lavender. Unfortunately I don’t have a very educated nose, but hopefully this at least gives you an idea. Can’t wait to experience the Lavender Splash!

Edit- this is one of those times I’d love to hear from Will on the subject!

Lavender is fairly simple, as floral oils go, and consists mostly of the compounds d-linalool and linalyl acetate. There's an old perfumer technique that involves playing up the dominant molecules in a natural material in order to make it smell stronger and more pleasant, and lavender's simplicity makes it relatively easy to smooth if out, if that's what your looking for. The original fragrance, Caldey Island Lavender, used the idea to tremendous effect, and incorporated several synthetic musks (but one to much greater extent than the others) to bring out the earthy fruitiness that is inherent in lavender oil. So no, definitely not just you. Smile
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” – Marcus Aurelius

Fine grooming products at Barrister and Mann.  Smile www.barristerandmann.com
#3,146

Member
East Texas
While I don't have the sophisticated nose of BoarderPhreak here's my "review" of Promises.

Barrister and Mann - Promises
Wolf Whiskers | Raptor | Black Wolf
Radio 1912 | Gem PTFE


[Image: bjdWvsK.jpg]

Complexity is almost synonymous with Barrister and Mann fragrances, but Promises is deceptively complex.  The fragrance is loaded with notes that could easily become weighty, but instead, this is what I categorize as light.  Yet it easily remains present for at least six hours.  I probably confused the matter by using the splash first without the reference of the soap.  In my experience, in most cases, paired soaps are simply a muted, less complex representation of the envisioned fragrance. I shave every other day, and on non-shave days, I often apply an aftershave on my head following my shower.  Doing this with Promises resulted in experiencing a very pleasant fragrance for a good portion of my day, but giving me expectations from the soap that were quite different---not just muted.  The splash opened with surprising honeyed bourbon-esqe note.  It’s surprising because Barrister and Mann refused to release a paired splash for the now discontinued “Fireside” citing the lingering fragrance of cognac would not be well received.  I would be fine with it, but I see the point.  That being their stance, bourbon was the last thing I expected from the Promises splash.  However, just as I was trying to explain it away, the note became less familiar.  I suspect the combination of the denatured alcohol and whatever this peculiar note was yielded only a fleeting resemblance to honeyed bourbon and thus destabilized as the alcohol burned off.  This is good because while I’m a fan of honey and bourbon, I’m not particularly a fan of honeyed bourbon.  You already know my layperson’s version of a review are often meandering, describing the fragrance as I experience it, but ultimately having a point.  Unfortunately, this one may not, because after having used this splash twice, I simply can’t succinctly define the notes.  Instead, Promises, following the initial fleeting boozy stage, begins warm and festive. Certainly non-alcoholic Winter beverages come to mind---suggestive of, but not definitively nog, wassail, and spiced tea. I do not detect cinnamon, although given the accomplices, it was expected, and my mind kept trying to insert it in much the same fashion I insert imaginary clove into bay rum fragrances that are noted to be devoid of said oil.  This warm festive beverage stage is the longer plateau before dropping off the sweeter honey notes in favor of the bitter citrus and finally resin.  It never descends into a dark fragrance, but rather a colder one.  With regard to the splash, it’s in the company of B&M’s “First Snow” and even “Fireside” (if it had a splash) without sharing much more than their evocation of memories and feelings.

I like to use complex products without having the ad copy fresh in my mind.  If I had recalled the term “rubbery” from B&M’s blurb, it would have ruined what happened next.  As I lathered the Promises soap, I anticipated at least a brief opening of something similar to Fireside’s cognac, but instead, I was met with a very pleasant surprise.  G.I. Joe and Star Wars action figures (NOT dolls) of my youth, and to an extent the glossy comic book covers and trade paperback collections all flooded my memory with this distinct opening note.  Thankfully, it sustains for a fair portion of the shave before acquiescing to the warmer, spicy notes with a slightly sweet and bitter finish.

Promises simply must be paired to be fully realized.  I did it backwards, but ultimately I understand it.  The soap represents the holidays from my childhood perspective without being novel, while the splash is more adult without being dull.  The transition from one to the other, while holding onto common elements is beautifully done.

In reviewing the description on Barrister and Mann’s site, apparently the saffron is the culprit for what is described as a “strange, rubbery, industrial character” intended to evoke the feeling of “being out on the trail with idling sleds…”  Personally, I’ve never ridden a sled.  In fact, where I grew up, in the off chance we had enough accumulation, the vehicle of choice was either a galvanized steel trash can lid or a rusty till blade disc---neither of which hold a candle to the joy of opening those action figures and comics.

[Image: JodTAy6.jpg]
#3,147
(12-08-2017, 03:07 AM)120inna55 Wrote: While I don't have the sophisticated nose of BoarderPhreak here's my "review" of Promises.

Barrister and Mann - Promises
Wolf Whiskers | Raptor | Black Wolf
Radio 1912 | Gem PTFE


[Image: bjdWvsK.jpg]

Complexity is almost synonymous with Barrister and Mann fragrances, but Promises is deceptively complex.  The fragrance is loaded with notes that could easily become weighty, but instead, this is what I categorize as light.  Yet it easily remains present for at least six hours.  I probably confused the matter by using the splash first without the reference of the soap.  In my experience, in most cases, paired soaps are simply a muted, less complex representation of the envisioned fragrance. I shave every other day, and on non-shave days, I often apply an aftershave on my head following my shower.  Doing this with Promises resulted in experiencing a very pleasant fragrance for a good portion of my day, but giving me expectations from the soap that were quite different---not just muted.  The splash opened with surprising honeyed bourbon-esqe note.  Itâ€s surprising because Barrister and Mann refused to release a paired splash for the now discontinued “Fireside” citing the lingering fragrance of cognac would not be well received.  I would be fine with it, but I see the point.  That being their stance, bourbon was the last thing I expected from the Promises splash.  However, just as I was trying to explain it away, the note became less familiar.  I suspect the combination of the denatured alcohol and whatever this peculiar note was yielded only a fleeting resemblance to honeyed bourbon and thus destabilized as the alcohol burned off.  This is good because while Iâ€m a fan of honey and bourbon, Iâ€m not particularly a fan of honeyed bourbon.  You already know my laypersonâ€s version of a review are often meandering, describing the fragrance as I experience it, but ultimately having a point.  Unfortunately, this one may not, because after having used this splash twice, I simply canâ€t succinctly define the notes.  Instead, Promises, following the initial fleeting boozy stage, begins warm and festive. Certainly non-alcoholic Winter beverages come to mind---suggestive of, but not definitively nog, wassail, and spiced tea. I do not detect cinnamon, although given the accomplices, it was expected, and my mind kept trying to insert it in much the same fashion I insert imaginary clove into bay rum fragrances that are noted to be devoid of said oil.  This warm festive beverage stage is the longer plateau before dropping off the sweeter honey notes in favor of the bitter citrus and finally resin.  It never descends into a dark fragrance, but rather a colder one.  With regard to the splash, itâ€s in the company of B&Mâ€s “First Snow” and even “Fireside” (if it had a splash) without sharing much more than their evocation of memories and feelings.

I like to use complex products without having the ad copy fresh in my mind.  If I had recalled the term “rubbery” from B&Mâ€s blurb, it would have ruined what happened next.  As I lathered the Promises soap, I anticipated at least a brief opening of something similar to Firesideâ€s cognac, but instead, I was met with a very pleasant surprise.  G.I. Joe and Star Wars action figures (NOT dolls) of my youth, and to an extent the glossy comic book covers and trade paperback collections all flooded my memory with this distinct opening note.  Thankfully, it sustains for a fair portion of the shave before acquiescing to the warmer, spicy notes with a slightly sweet and bitter finish.

Promises simply must be paired to be fully realized.  I did it backwards, but ultimately I understand it.  The soap represents the holidays from my childhood perspective without being novel, while the splash is more adult without being dull.  The transition from one to the other, while holding onto common elements is beautifully done.

In reviewing the description on Barrister and Mannâ€s site, apparently the saffron is the culprit for what is described as a “strange, rubbery, industrial character” intended to evoke the feeling of “being out on the trail with idling sleds…”  Personally, Iâ€ve never ridden a sled.  In fact, where I grew up, in the off chance we had enough accumulation, the vehicle of choice was either a galvanized steel trash can lid or a rusty till blade disc---neither of which hold a candle to the joy of opening those action figures and comics.

[Image: JodTAy6.jpg]

I, for one, greatly enjoy your "meandering" reviews. Keep it up!
#3,148

Member
Las Vegas, NV, USA
(12-08-2017, 03:07 AM)120inna55 Wrote: As I lathered the Promises soap, I anticipated at least a brief opening of something similar to Firesideâ€s cognac, but instead, I was met with a very pleasant surprise.  G.I. Joe and Star Wars action figures (NOT dolls) of my youth, and to an extent the glossy comic book covers and trade paperback collections all flooded my memory with this distinct opening note.
I still remember the scent of those original Star Wars action figures, of which I probably had dozens. It was a strangely intoxicating smell! That and the fact that I absolutely adore saffron means that I need to stop postponing getting this set… Thanks for another great review, 120inna55!
Whenever I go to shave, I assume there’s someone else on the planet shaving, so I say “I’m gonna go shave, too.”
– Mitch Hedberg
#3,149
Hey guys. I’m late to the party of B&M, but have fell in love with the Reserve line. I started with Fern and now own all except the Lavender as that scent usually is not for me. I’m curious to know if these Promises and First Snow are the Reserve base. It seems this base works well for me and my N Texas hard water. Also, does anyone know if there are any other scents in the works? By the way, the Fern is still my favorite smelling.
#3,150

Member
East Texas
(12-12-2017, 07:36 AM)tsimmns Wrote: Hey guys. I’m late to the party of B&M, but have fell in love with the Reserve line. I started with Fern and now own all except the Lavender as that scent usually is not for me. I’m curious to know if these Promises and First Snow are the Reserve base. It seems this base works well for me and my N Texas hard water. Also, does anyone know if there are any other scents in the works? By the way, the Fern is still my favorite smelling.

Promises and First Snow are not Reserve. They are Glissant base which is outstanding in its own right. I have hard water and can attest to it. Assuming you have no issues with lanolin, I recommend you try the Glissant base.


Users browsing this thread: 3 Guest(s)