C.O. Bigelow Barber Elixir Black

I remember this scent standing out from all the other B&BW fragrances and I knew I had to have it. In a sea of upbeat and cheery, light and clean scents this was a bit of a rebel...a black sheep, if you will. I liked that. Plus it came in a gift set with a wonderfully larger black muslin dobb kit. All for just $20, a definite bargain IMHO.

It's clean yet ethereal, and the toasty vanilla and tonka bean blend really well. It also has a subtle undertone of clean talc. I would liken it to soapy, leathery and woodsy all chucked into a blender. And it has spawned a following of body fragrances (axe, bod, etc.) with that signature black packaging. I smoke cigars and pipes, and this scent lends itself really well to that. A gentleman's scent to be sure.

I lost about 20-25 bottles of cologne after a burglary a couple years back (who the **** steals cologne?!?) that I've slowly been replacing and sadly this was one of them. I see it has still held its price point. Guess I will get some more in the next couple weeks...been feeling a tad rebellious lately. ;-)

Of the C. O. Bigelow scents, this is my favorite (and the wife's as well) A good everyday scent. Unlike other reviewers, I don't find it has the staying power of some of my other juices. For me it lasts 5 - 6 hours.

This is great stuff, smells wonderful and the atomizer is built like a tank. Highly recomended.

Commonly on sale for buy one, get one, these are a great value. All the ladies at the B&BW prefer the 'black' over the red, green, blue, by far. It's been my favorite, too. These are an excellent product, readily available at B&M stores or via B&BW etailing from the company website, modest cost. Recommended.

-- John Gehman

Price: At $19.95 a bottle and with almost ongoing sales this stuff is a steal compared to the big names and the scent is as good or better.

Quality: First rate product!

Packaging: Not as nice as the $100 stuff but it is a glass bottle and feels solid.

Scent: Complex mix of agar wood, tonka bean, amber, musk, and vanilla. It is a great blend that brings a nice earthy scent that is not too heavy. This is a must have gentleman!

Complexity: As I said for scent you will smell something different every time you take a whiff.

Staying power: I think the staying power of this stuff blows many of the department store brands out of the water.

Quality of atomizer: I wear Polo Black, and Cool Water on a pretty regular basis as well and this atomizer blows theirs away.