Noble Otter The Trail ~ RR400 "Noir" ~ Mulcuto No.1 ~ Personna Lab Blue ~ Pinaud Clubman
First try with a NO soap... Nice presentation, soap is standard 2018 artisan fare so firm but not hard, scent is interesting - The pine tar is very forward, reminded me of Wrights coal tar soap a few times but I also picked out the fir, juniper and oakmoss easily enough... Smells like damp undergrowth so mission accomplished going by the name. I recall Rob saying he found it sweeter than expected? I pick up no sweetness from mine so I don't know if there is some variation between batches, apologies if I've remembered incorrectly. Performance is about on par with the B&M Glissant I've been using all week, perhaps a smidge inferior but as it's my first use it could very well be that I haven't quite dialed it in yet, one area I did prefer it was post-shave cleanup, it rinses cleanly whereas B&M leaves a soap scum on everything.
Another first, Pinaud Clubman. Didn't know what to expect other than "old man" seemingly loved by many and hated by an equal number. I found it completely inoffensive, a sweet, powdery talc scent... As usual, a load of online fuss over nothing.