(10-25-2017, 12:46 AM)120inna55 Wrote: Mickey Lee Soapworks - Unforgiven
Rubberset 200-4 | Omega Boar
Star 1912 | Gem PTFE
I'd heard such good things about Mickey Lee Soapworks' "Unforgiven" for a couple years, but I was just a bit too late to the game. Fortunately, they resurrected it, complete with outstanding artwork courtesy of /u/la_yerba_mate.
I won't go into depth about MLS's base since I've covered it before, other than to stipulate that its performance is among the best. It vies for top spot in the post-shave category, for certain.
Unforgiven is as advertised, although I will say that off the dry tub, I could swear I detected burned tobacco. Lathered, that note is not present, and it's far more sophisticated than that. The smoky birch tar is prominent but not to the level of L&L Grooming's Darkfall. Just a moment later, warm woody notes enter, but never overcome the birch tar. An insidious sweetness infiltrates the otherwise smoky fragrance. Caramel and patchouli are listed as notes, but together with the birch tar and rosewood, they're a bit non-specific, and that works quite well in this accord.
The matching splash follows suit if not a bit fuller and warmer. After about an hour, the smoke takes a steep drop-off leaving a warm woody fragrance with the aforementioned very slight sweetness. I can no longer detect it beyond 3 hours.
Unforgiven is without question in my bailiwick. Off the dry tub, I wondered if it wasn't a competitor to Barrister and Mann's "Roam", but lathering it takes it in a very different direction. It's closer yet to L&L's "Darkfall", but where Darkfall descends and even takes on a cooler fragrance, Unforgiven warms up. Unforgiven fits nicely between these two on my shelf. In fact, due to the relatively short-lived nature of Unforgiven's splash, I think the Darkfall EdP will pair nicely.
Now for a bonus pic. I couldn't decide which one to use. I don't typically resort to filters, but this one called for a more vintage feel. I therefore desaturated most colors, pushed up the blacks, and added a yellow tint. There's probably a package filter for that, but I don't know how to do it with my existing software.
Wonderful review and pictures, Matt-thanks very much!