SOTD 20-26 September 2020

ROCNEL / POLSILVER / SIMPSON THE DUKE 3 / EXTRO

I need that extro kit! Beautiful SOTD Andrei!

Catie's Bubbles | 322
Leo Frilot Tru-Stone 322 | AP Shave Co. SilkSmoke 28mm
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE

I’ve been catching up on many of your reviews Sir, I was not in the know on many of your writings! That 322 is wow, that might be my Halloween Soap this year, Secret Societies and Voodoo!

21 September 2020

* Blackbird Brass SB 101
* Wizamet Iridium Super
* WSP 2-Band + Oscar11 Aquamarine C7
* Mystic Water Poggio dei Pini
* Unrefined Shea Butter
* Bergamot/Vetiver EO

I know I say it all the time.....simple, classy

Catie's Bubbles | 322
Leo Frilot Tru-Stone 322 | AP Shave Co. SilkSmoke 28mm
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE

I’ve been catching up on many of your reviews Sir, I was not in the know on many of your writings! That 322 is wow, that might be my Halloween Soap this year, Secret Societies and Voodoo!

Did you see my write-up on 322, specifically? I think I did one a couple years ago, but not recently.

Catie's Bubbles | 322
Leo Frilot Tru-Stone 322 | AP Shave Co. SilkSmoke 28mm
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE

I’ve been catching up on many of your reviews Sir, I was not in the know on many of your writings! That 322 is wow, that might be my Halloween Soap this year, Secret Societies and Voodoo!

Did you see my write-up on 322, specifically?  I think I did one a couple years ago, but not recently.

“322 is a bit apart from their usual lineup” and “Nuavia has been my benchmark”
I read one of your reviews and knew immediately the writings were true to your experience.  I’d take a recommendation from you without hesitation opening my wallet.  Cheers to YOU taking the time to share all that brilliant info!

I know I say it all the time.....simple, classy

Thank you for your very kind words. 

I’ve been catching up on many of your reviews Sir, I was not in the know on many of your writings! That 322 is wow, that might be my Halloween Soap this year, Secret Societies and Voodoo!

Did you see my write-up on 322, specifically?  I think I did one a couple years ago, but not recently.

“322 is a bit apart from their usual lineup” and “Nuavia has been my benchmark”
I read one of your reviews and knew immediately the writings were true to your experience.  I’d take a recommendation from you without hesitation opening my wallet.  Cheers to YOU taking the time to share all that brilliant info!

Gosh. I don't remember saying that, but I'm not doubting you. Nuavia is no longer my benchmark, by the way.

ROCNEL / POLSILVER / SIMPSON THE DUKE 3 / EXTRO

I need that extro kit! Beautiful SOTD Andrei!

Thank you, sir

ExtraProtein , I stand corrected.  I did find the write-up to which you're referring.  I think I wrote that in 2016.  My love for 322 has only increased since then, and I suspect my nose has gotten a little better.  I looked back, and it appears I've written about 4 times about 322.

Here's an excerpt from a more recent one:

Catie's Bubbles does vetiver, particularly of the Haitian variety, often and well.  322 is probably the most heavy-handed use of Haitian vetiver that I've ever experienced, and it's just right, thereby making this my all-time favorite fragrance.  Given this unabashed dosing of Haitian vetiver, many will hate this.

If you're not ready for the vetiver punch, you may become overwhelmed with the dark smoky, earthy elements, thereby missing the supporting notes.  That's not to say this is unbalanced.  In fact 322 is quite masterfully blended.  There is oakmoss that's seemingly inseparable from the vetiver, lending a bitter resinous depth to the note, and approaching that of cedar. Amidst this dark and murky presentation, are black currant and patchouli.  Together, these notes impart a subtle, yet distinct element of a dry smoky red wine akin to shiraz or merlot.  322 never achieves the "sickly sweetness" often attributed to Barrister and Mann's "Hallows".  Despite the two fragrances often being compared, Hallows and 322 are on the same end of the spectrum, but 322 is more piercing and chilling where Hallows takes on a warmer dark chocolate aspect.

I'm such a fan of 322 that I acquired the parfum extrait immediately.  I often wear this fragrance even on non-shave days.  It's just an intoxicating fragrance.

There have been two other offerings from Catie's Bubbles (also limited runs) that share similar profiles:

Ruds Suds: Darkside - essentially replaced with currant with coffee for an extra dose of bitterness and hatred.

Revolution - Still leading with vetiver, but more tame and imparting a dusty old parchment vibe.

Then here's a more abstract view that I wrote:

The mystical side of my brain struggles to describe 322 in a different way. You'll need to humor me, here, but it  feels like a real, natural place, but not a place I've ever been.  I imagine this place is cold, dark, and forgotten with a stillness such that the air feels layered: humid, smoky, earthy, and musky as you kneel down.  The succulents are yellowed and in early rot. And inexplicably, grass somehow grew in this dark environment, but now it's long, stringy, and lain over with the blades adhering to each other from both the decay and the humidity.  Green moss is thriving in patches at the base of the ancient trees turning a blue-green as they descend with the lower borders having turned yellow from the constant water exposure.  As you rise, a cold, faintly stinging sensation is felt in proximal areas of your nose.  Then ultimately the air breaks through at its height with a crisp, pleasant sweetness that opens your passages.  However your movement stirs the air, lifting the smoky earthy air causing it to intermingle with the sharp loftiness, resulting in brief, yet intoxicating confusion.

23 SEPTEMBER 2020
H & S / #75 Neutral
MONGOOSE / Dr Bomber Polished
WIZAMET (2)
PALADIN / Samurai 26
GENTLEMENS NOD / Kanpai