DanLaw I finally got back to Alberta Boys. Hope this is helpful, although of course with all the usual disclaimers of variation in individual sensory evaluation.
Thoughts on the Alberta Boys scent profile
Soap
Off the jar a slight drying note of pleasing woods is first encountered. The woodiness is difficult to pin down to a particular species as it is mild and subdued. Right behind that a delicate hint of powdery dryness emerges. This might be more of the sandalwood or aroma blend elements given its soft character. I read it as more of a small wooden box that has not been opened for a few days, where the ephemeral notes of the interior meander in and out of perception. Underlying all of this, a base note of cherry balances out the drier character of the opening. Overall it presents as clean and fresh while maintaining an interesting undercurrent that suggests more is to come.
As the soap is lathered, the cherry notes continue to develop while joined by a thin layer of candied sweetness. This is a delicate sweetness, almost what you might find in a nabisco sugar wafer, with all of its airiness. As the shave progresses I can't help but think of a Luxardo Maraschino cherry, but more of the skin than freshly pulled from a jar. Or maybe it is one that is resting at the bottom of a glass that recently held a classic old fashioned cocktail. While the cherry notes, and now possibly rose, are reaching a peak, the soap remains at a relatively modest level of scent strength. As the final pass of lather is fully rinsed, the cherry notes recede and the woodiness returns to the forefront.
Aftershave
As likely expected, the aftershave takes a different direction when uninhibited by the soap base and its relative volume. In this case a more direct and powerful wave of gourmand cherry liqueur, layered onto of a heavier platform of sweetness, immediately greets the senses. I tend to shy away from heavy gourmand scents but fortunately Alberta Boys provides a relatively balanced character. Right underneath all of this is a vanilla and rose like blend with possibly a tinge of buttery notes, or could this be a latent tobacco element? (probably my mind taking a shortcut to fill a missing awareness of some of the scent notes). If the wood is in there I am having difficulty picking it out. I wonder if the meaningful increase in scent strength of the aftershave is creating a bit of nose blindness for some of the more delicate contributors. Still, I am not complaining as I find the presentation a balanced complement to the soap profile, albeit different.
One other interesting detail is that this aftershave provides a different level of comfort than some of my other MacDuff's aftershaves. Here it feels a bit more nourishing with a cleaner and lighter residual finish on the skin. I wouldn't mind seeing this outcome in some of the other aftershave offerings. Even after some time, I still catch a hint of a cherry and wood as the day progresses.
Additional flankers of the Alberta Boys are expected, and I will definitely be picking up the next in the series.
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Including the Ti DB, a top razor.
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