Barrister and Mann

My bottles (Spice and Cool) arrived today at the office! I haven't used them yet, obviously, but if they're as good as the samples we tried earlier this year, they're going to be my primary AS choices, I think. The fragrances from sniffing the bottles are nice and classic, indeed. I particularly like the freshness of Cool, and Spice (surely based on Old Spice?) has a vintage vibe to it that strikes me as very classy in a never-goes-out-of-style but retro-is-kinda-cool way.

Now that Will has mentioned Lavender and what must be an homage to the original Fougere Royale (whoooo!!!), I'm already in for the next two. Great stuff.

Received the classic and cool today. I think it would look a little nicer if the top and bottom of the label were shortened by 1/2 inch or so, and maybe not a full wrap around to see contents. Anyway, it's what's inside that matters. I'll be trying cool tonight.

It's similar. Cool is actually based on Floïd Blue. Each Reserve fragrance is a re-creation of a discontinued or heavily reformulated aftershave or perfume.

So I'm impatient. I want Lavender and Fern, but they aren't available yet. And as a result I keep looking at the others that are currently available, even though I really can't imagine what they smell like. I've seen quite a number of people say that Foid Blue is very similar to Aqua Velva. I'm skeptical, but enough people have said it that I have to ask here for further confirmation. Because I went to the store and opened a bottle of Aqua Velva. And I gagged. Now I really can't quite understand all the people saying they use this stuff every day and love it. Honestly, I'm mystified. Am I missing something my nose cannot detect lurking behind that nasty artificial scent? I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I would like to determine if this blue stuff really is similar to what "Cool" is based on. (I happily use stuff other people emphatically tell me is horrible, like the scent of Stirling's Texas on Fire - so I'm not judging here, just stating my own reaction to a particular smell.)

I also sniffed Old Spice, in case that's what "Spice" is based on. I haven't smelled Old Spice in quite a few years. But I don't remember disliking it the way I disliked what was on that shelf. Did they change the formulation, or is it just my tastes that have changed?

I'm just looking for an excuse to buy more aftershave here, someone help me out...

milesd, I don't like Aqua Velva either but I don't think it smells like Floid Blue very much. Old Spice is OK, but it has been reformulated. I've never smelled Shulton Old Spice (what Barrister's Reserve Spice is based on), but all accounts claim that its a much nicer scent than the contemporary version. Of the 3 current offerings, I think I'm going for the Spice when I get to a point when I can order more stuff. I need to get rid of some things first. I have smelled the lavender at a meet up and it's very good. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with that one.

milesd, I don't like Aqua Velva either but I don't think it smells like Floid Blue very much. Old Spice is OK, but it has been reformulated. I've never smelled Shulton Old Spice (what Barrister's Reserve Spice is based on), but all accounts claim that its a much nicer scent than the contemporary version. Of the 3 current offerings, I think I'm going for the Spice when I get to a point when I can order more stuff. I need to get rid of some things first. I have smelled the lavender at a meet up and it's very good. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with that one.

Thank you! Now I'm even more excited about Lavender. Where are these meetups where you get to smell the good stuff before it's released? Do you have to be initiated before you can attend? I'm willing to put up with some pain and discomfort, and possibly humiliation, if it means getting the inside smell on Will's future offerings.

Glad to hear you don't think Floid Blue smells like Aqua Velva. That's a bit of a relief. I'll have to look up the Shulton Old Spice you mentioned.

Am I the only one that hates the idea of reformulations for any reason other than perhaps to replace an ingredient that has been discovered to cause unwanted mutations? How often is it really done to improve the product, as opposed to cutting costs while cashing in on name recognition?

The meet up I attended was at Maggard Razors. It's held annually in the middle of May. All you have to do is register on the website when they post the announcement.

Vintage Old Spice is hard to find and probably more expensive per oz than Barrister's Reserve, so I would just go with that since it undoubtedly has better skin care properties.

It's been a while since I've used Floid Blue and I remember liking it, but every time I go to a drug store I give AV a sniff to possibly make a purchase, it's a no go.

I tried Cool and Classic today (with a shower in between each). The scents and face feel on both are excellent. Cool was a little cooler than expected but great nonetheless. I only started using aftershave when I started wet shaving a few years ago. I'm really happy to have these classic scents available. Thanks Barrister_N_Mann  

It was Spice yesterday, which was lovely and lingered most of the day, and now Cool this morning. First, I have to jump in and say that, while I'm not really familiar with Floid Blue, I can say that Cool does remind me of Aqua Velva, so yep, I'd say they're all of a similar character (and what IS that characteristic bitter note in all of them, Barrister_N_Mann? Myrrh? My guess is myrrh). Thankfully it's a scent I do enjoy. Also I agree, gregcss, that Cool was cooler than expected, but nothing I can't modulate through how much I use. I think I've been a bit over-generous with these first wears.

The Cool is a nice scent, great feel, and doesn't project strongly. Like Will said, Cool can compliment your cologne for the day. It's a winner!

Could someone please remind me of the old AS that Barrister's Reserve Classic is supposed to recreate?

https://damnfineshave.com/thread-barrist...3#pid89813 - or - http://dailylather.com/content/barrister...impression

O.o