So, I recently purchased a bakers dozen of samples from Stirling. They kept getting pushed back from the trials as I was working through some other stuff. Then as I was considering what software to bring on my Island excursion, I decided to bring those samples to evaluate. I will not be discussing the performance of these, even between the two different formulas, for reasons that I'll discuss in another thread. I'm only talking about the scents here.
Going through these scents these are my impressions after first use. I did not read the scent notes listed before using, so my initial impressions were not influenced by them, but I did read them prior to writing my reviews, to see how I compared with them, or to help identify notes I could not place.
Bay Rum
Stirling's Notes: Bay West Indies (Pimenta Racemosa) essential oil is blended with Orange, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and a hint of Clove
My take: I've never been one to buy a Bay Rum soap before. I typically don't match my soaps with my AS, as I don't generally like being tied down to a specific AS after I'm done with the soap. I have tons of Bay Rum AS, so I never wanted a matching soap. This Bay Rum soap is really nice, and doesn't really match any of my AS perfectly. The orange note specifically makes it a stand out. The Spicy notes are nice as well, not super clovey, like some BR can be. I get more cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg. I could see possibly buying this one in the future.
Electric Sheep
Stirling's Notes: Lemon, Citronella, and Eucalyptus essential oils
My Take: Added this one solely out of curiosity, and because a few on The Cadre really recommended it. I don't mind citronella, and love lemon and eucalyptus, so thought it'd be good. I wish I'd had read the reviews on the Stirling Site before picking this one. What they said was correct, off the puck it smells EXACTLY like Pledge furniture polish. I absolutely do not get any eucalyptus, and don't think I get any lemon. It's pure citronella to me. VERY strong, not like the mild citronella smell from a fresh puck of Williams. More like a fresh citronella candle made for warning off mosquitos. Luckily, as you lather the scent dies down considerably. It's not terrible during the shave. Off the puck, though the sharpness is quite off-putting. Don't think this one would ever find a place in my den.... plus as I noted before, I hate the look of the label.
Haverford
Stirling's Notes: inspired by Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille and it's just that. Warm vanilla surrounds a floral tobacco base in this sexy, masculine combination.
My Take: Their description is pretty fair. It's definitely Vanilla. But it's much more deep, complex, and mysterious than just a plain vanilla. Some folks have said there is a Chocolate note to it, and while I don't get that specifically, I can see how some would say that. Also, the fact that the soap is a deep chocolate brown color, that may be influencing their opinion on that too. It's enjoyable, but I do not think this is one that I would purchase in the future. It's just not a scent I would reach for. PIF'd this sample away to another wet shaver on the island.
Island Man
Stirling's Notes: An intoxicating blend of bergamot, lime, mandarin, coconut, jasmine, hibiscus, ylang-ylang, ginger, sugarcane, musk, and rum.
My Take: When using this soap, I immediately got the citrus. It wasn't a specific citrus, and given all the varieties in there, I can see why. Through lathering I got one other scent note and that was a mild bubble gum scent. Maybe some weird combination of the other notes, especially coconut, sugarcane, rum, and possibly musk is giving my nose that impression. The scent off the puck is medium, but when lathered toned down a bit. Enjoyable, but I don't believe would make the cut for a purchase. Just not distinctive enough to my nose. Also PIF's this one to the aforementioned wet shaver.
Satsuma
Stirling's Notes: The sweetness of mandarins mixed with a little oriental spices
My Take: Incredible. The sweet mandarin is a great citrus scent. It smells just like a freshly cut open orange. And not like a common Navel orange, more like a tangerine or a clementine (A.K.A. cuties). I say that because I'm not sure I've actually had a fresh mandarin orange. Also, I'm not necessarily getting the spice component, but possibly it's just helping to round or smooth out the scent. A definite future purchase for me.
Scots Pine Sheep
Stirling's Notes: Made with mutton tallow and lanolin, it has a calm and pleasing pine scent that is nothing like a pine oil used in cleaning products, as it has a touch of oakmoss to round out the blend.
My Take: Interesting...... There is a definite Pine note, but it's unlike any other I've tried and don't know why. Initially, not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but leaning toward good. During the shave, the notes settled down and reminded me of a weaker smelling version of Electric Sheep. Now seeing the notes and reading there's oakmoss in it, I see why it's oddly pleasing to me. Not sure, though if I like it enough to purchase. A few more shaves to evaluate.
Texas on Fire
Stirling's Notes: Leather. Smoky. Cedar. Made with Birch Tar, Cade, Labdanum, Vanilla, and a heaping helping of Texas Cedarwood. This is the scent of a forest fire in Texas.
My Take: Definitely smokey. And off the puck the cedar is there. Through lathering all I really got was the sense of smoke, although everything else is playing in the background, not specifically, but to round it out and give it an overall scent that is woody/smokey/and damp. If I had to describe it, take some cedar, and some other woods and start a fire with them. Now put the fire out with water, and as soon as it it out, smell one of the wet logs. That's what it smells like to me. I really enjoy the scent, but I'm not sure it would ever be one that I thought to grab and use. It's a potential purchase, but more evaluation is necessary.
Now, based on some positive reviews of Queen of Hearts from members of the cadre, I started looking at all the scents that were intended to be geared towards the female shavers. I was especially intrigued by Witchy Woman. But based on scent notes alone, all of them sounded like they could be good, so I took a chance on them......
Evie
Stirling's Notes: A clean citrus, fresh floral, fruity scent. It's not too sweet and it's a whole lotta nice! Notes include everything from mango, strawberry, grapefruit, apple, and lime to freesia, lily of the valley, vanilla, amber, musk, and tonka bean.
My Take: This one right off the bat is very floral, very feminine and perfumey. Upon initial sniff from the tub, I didn't think I was going to like it at all. I love Lily of the Valley, and that note is the reason I decided to try it. To my nose, that's all I got specifically during use, just an intense floral. Now looking at the scent notes and trying to smell what else is in there, I think I'm detecting a hint of grapefruit. There's something else in it that is giving it that perfumey vibe, and I was thinking it was powder, but that appears to not be present. There's a non-descript sweetness in the back. I kinda wanted to like this one, and wished that the fruity notes were more prominent. This is a no buy for me, as I'm good with my Lily of the Valley from Mystic Water, since Evie doesn't seem to offer much more beyond that for me. Just a little too feminine for me. But I can see this being a real winner for female shavers.
Queen of Hearts
Stirling's Notes: notes of caramel, vanilla, berries, honeysuckle, amber, sandalwood, and jasmine.
My Take: A much warmer scent that Sweet Stuff, but with a familiar opening. However what followed was a note that was very feminine and perfumey. I'm not sure that note agrees with me. Seeing the common notes of caramel and vanilla it's easy to see the slight parallel between this and Sweet Stuff, but maybe it's the berry/honeysuckle/jasmine combo that is not agreeable to me. The warm opening from those notes, however, is very nice. I'll have to use it a few more times before I make final judgement on this one, but initially a thumbs down from me, even though I know this one is a popular one among the Cadre.
Shadow Orchid
Stirling's Notes: A deep, dark scent that boasts of chocolate, trufles, and patchouli followed by orchid, vanilla, incense, amber, and pepper. It's finished off with floral, fruity, and sandalwood notes.
My Take: Upont first scent it's a dark floral scent. Then I got a hint of incense. I was vindicated to see that incense was actually part of the scent profile. I didn't think it actually could have an actual incense note being a more feminine scent, and thought it was just more of a shared note, leading me to that impression. But it really works. After looking at the scent notes, I do now get the vanilla/amber type notes. This one is a winner for me. I really enjoy it and will be getting a full tub!
Sweet Stuff
Stirling's Notes: A sweet, intoxicating blend of caramel, vanilla, musk, and a hint of powder. This scent is flirty and fun and yet sophisticated for a woman.
My Take: This off the puck it is very bright and sweet, but not sickly sweet as I envisioned. It's hard to place where the sweetness is actually coming from. And even after looking at the notes, I'm not sure. It doesn't have the warmth you'd associate with caramel, vanilla, or musk. It's much more of a bright scent. It's not overtly feminine, only mildly perfumey (probably from the hint of powder), and I really enjoy it. Will likely add this to a future purchase.
Witchy Woman
Stirling's Notes: This scent is reminiscent of fruit punch on a gorgeous spring day. Inspired by Love Spell by Victoria's Secret.
My Take: This is the one I was most excited about. Love Spell is my favorite scent by Victoria Secret. I find it intoxicating. The blend of peach and cherry blossoms is amazing. I love the scent of this on a woman most of all, but I love it by itself too. Stirling's is a bit more chemically harsh and synthetic smelling than VS, but it is still nice. Much better in the lather than off the puck. Will definitely be adding a full size puck of WW to my den.
The astute of you who are keeping track, noted that I said I bought 13 samples, and there are only 12 reviews here. The other was Varen. My nose found it intensely offensive, and I did not wish to even set brush to soap on that one, so I PIF'd that one away right after I got it.
