Razor: Tatara Masamune
Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock SharpEdge Yellows
Brush: That Darn Rob 26mm Brown Synthetic
Soap: Gentleman’s Nod Zaharoff Signature
Aftershave: Gentleman’s Nod Zaharoff Signature
Other: Thirsty Badger lather bowl
Today I wanted to reach for something elevated in scent profile. I’ve been digging the cologne dupe scents quite a bit of late but this is an actual collaboration between a perfumer house and a soap maker. Zaharoff was heavily involved in this to make sure the end result was very representative of the brand. The resulting scent if one of the most complex scent profiles in a shaving soap/aftershave that I have come across. Complex and wonderful.
Scent notes on this fragrance include Fresh Cardamom, Lavender, Black Pepper, Juicy Pear, Blue Cypress, Ginger Roots, Blonde Cedar, Temple Oud, Florentine Iris, Pimento Leaves, Fir Balsam, Creamy Sandalwood, Gold Patchouli, Black Amber, Myrrh, Frankincense. This is woodsy, spicey, aromatic with subtle hints of floral and oud. If I really focus I can pick out most of the individual notes listed but the scent is just so much more than just the sum of the parts. Sophisticated, gentlemanly but not old or dated. You could dress this up or down and could really use in any season. It is really a fantastic scent. I’m very impressed.
Scent strength on this is medium plus, not over powering but really present and noticeable. This release is done in the Gentleman’s Nod Cardinal base which gets a big meh for me. It loads and lathers well enough, and performs OK but at the price point this comes in at, I expect more of a top tier base. If you are buying this set you are doing it for the scent and that is more than OK.
I finished with the matching splash. I was really happy to see them offer this in a splash vs the serum like the other Gentleman’s Nod product lines. No menthol here either which was my other big knock the last go with their post shave product. Performance is OK, there is plenty of skin food and no burn but I did feel my skin was left a bit tacky even 20 minutes post application. Hydrated and comfortable, but just a bit tacky. Scent strength was mid strong again and this carried as a skin scent for several hours.
If this soap/splash is a perfect match for the fragrance (and I’m told it is) I really have to consider picking it up. The scent is that damn good. Wish I was a bit more excited about the base but it does the job and the scent more than makes up for the price point.
Last day off before my work week starts again. Might as well go out smelling like a champ. All for now – J
