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Old Tabac fan finally tries new Tabac ... a comparison

@Ouelljas I have no idea what Stirling Gentleman smells like, but the scent of Tabac is fairly unique, as far as I know. But you are learning not to care about the tallow aspect, which I agree with.

Stirling soaps are phenomenal, and the mutton tallow line is super good shaving lather for reasons I don't understand. SV, on the other hand is vegetable. I don't give tallow a second thought, I just try stuff recommended by members whose opinion I've learned to trust and see what I think.
I completely agree. After starting out with Proraso, which I liked and still think is a really decent soap, I purchased my Stirling and SV soaps based on B&B recommendations. I have not been disappointed with those. The only reason I’m replacing my SV tin is because it will be the first one to run out. I can confidently say I’ll have another SV soap in my rotation before too long.
Night and day different.
That’s good to know, I will have to put Tabac on the shortlist for my next soap. Thanks for the input sir.
 

JCinPA

The Lather Maestro
Oh, yeah. S.V. is amazing stuff. I thank my good friend @Marco for that recommendation. I would not have likely tried it at all except if Marco recommends it, I take his advice 100% of the time, no questions asked. Of all my soaps, my two favorites for the shave are undoubtedly tallow Tabac, and S.V.

But I just ordered Plague Doctor today because Marco recommends it. I ordered a TFS Mastro Miche vegetable soap because Marco recommends it. The guy just never misses. I can't wait to try Plague Doctor.

Anyway,

Sunday, January 19​

  • Pre shave - shower
  • Captain's Choice stoneware lather bowl
  • Yaqi Ghost 90SB head on DS Cosmetics Spiral Ti handle (China)
  • Gillette Platinum "Swede" #2 (Russia)
  • Omega B&B Anniversary boar (Italy)
  • Tabac (Original tallow) (Germany)
  • Thayer's WH (USA)
  • Bootleggers El Dorado A/S (USA)
10/10 BBS. Part of a week-long comparison of of old and new Tabac. Fantastic, close, very comfortable BBS with the original tallow Tabac today.

I don't think I need a third on the tallow version. Shave was later yesterday and I skipped today, but I'll do the side-by-side tomorrow, one soap on each half of my face with a couple of similar synthetic brushes. It will be interesting to see how that shakes out, as I am totally impressed with the new version. Apparently, Maurer & Wirtz did not screw up the reformulation the way La Toja did.

My sense is that the tallow may be ever so slightly (and I mean almost imperceptibly so) slicker, I think I may be getting close in fewer strokes than the new, but I can't be sure. The side-by-side should tell. But I think I'm going to end up with the recommendation I set forth above. Unless you are religiously devoted to tallow soaps, the new stuff is really, really first rate.

Tomorrow the conclusion.
 
Fantastic reporting!!Thank you @JCinPA
Even though I prefer veggie, the original Tabac is awesome!! I recently bought two sticks (advertised as veggie) I received tallow instead so I’ll be using both old and new for years to come.
 

JCinPA

The Lather Maestro
@awk_m4 I've discovered I don't "prefer" either tallow or veggie, but I do think the Tabac reformulation worked very, very well. Terrific soap either version. Side-by-side coming up tomorrow! :cool:
 
@awk_m4 I've discovered I don't "prefer" either tallow or veggie, but I do think the Tabac reformulation worked very, very well. Terrific soap either version. Side-by-side coming up tomorrow! :cool:
I’m looking forward to your report! For me, my preference is based on post shave, and I’m wondering if you notice a difference between the two in terms of post shave residue.
 

OldSaw

The wife's investment
Hopefully I’ll never have to worry about it.
IMG_0905.jpeg

This is most of what I have. I might even leave some behind for my grandsons.
 

Marco

B&B's Man in Italy
Oh, yeah. S.V. is amazing stuff. I thank my good friend @Marco for that recommendation. I would not have likely tried it at all except if Marco recommends it, I take his advice 100% of the time, no questions asked. Of all my soaps, my two favorites for the shave are undoubtedly tallow Tabac, and S.V.

But I just ordered Plague Doctor today because Marco recommends it. I ordered a TFS Mastro Miche vegetable soap because Marco recommends it. The guy just never misses. I can't wait to try Plague Doctor.
Wow! Very high praise indeed towards this Marco! I must seriously start taking his advice myself.
 

JCinPA

The Lather Maestro
Final shave in this test, the side-by-side:

Tuesday, January 21​

  • Pre shave - shower
  • Yaqi Ghost 90SB head on DS Cosmetics Spiral Ti handle (China)
  • Gillette Platinum "Swede" #3 (Russia)
  • Yaqi Mysterious Space and PAA Amber Aerolite synthetic brushes
  • Tabac Original tallow & 2021 vegetable versions (Germany)
  • Thayer's WH (USA)
  • Bootleggers El Dorado A/S (USA)
10/10 BBS. Part of a week-long comparison of original and new Tabac, today I shaved with both soaps, tallow on the right, new formulation on the left. I simply could not tell them apart, if someone lathered for me in a blind test and handed me a loaded brush I would not know which one I was using. Both equally dense and slick, both sides of my face equally BBS smooth and comfortable, no difference in the alcohol burn after the shave. It's a toss up.

==========

The Verdict

I cannot tell the difference between the two soaps. I really cannot. If La Toja is an example of an awful reformulation away from tallow, this is on the other end of the spectrum, it was a perfect reformulation away from tallow. Scent, slickness, density, comfort, all indistinguishable for me. I'm glad I have some of the original left in my den, but if I run out, I will happily reload with the new stuff. It is first tier lather, still one of the favorites I can count on less than the fingers of one hand, and I will never be without it.

I'm sticking to my conclusion from a couple days ago--if you believe tallow soaps are inherently better always and everywhere and never met a vegetable soap you like, don't try this. You won't like it, though no fault of the soap. It's just the way your mind works.

If you are slightly less doctrinaire than that, whether you have experience with the original or not, I highly recommend current Tabac. You'll either love the scent or not, but I can guarantee you'll find it easy to make outstanding lather and you'll love the shave experience (if not unduly influenced by the scent).

As I've also said, I don't opine on post-shave feel because I've never had any sensitivity to any shave product, and have very normal (not dry or oily) skin and can get a BBS close shave every day without needing any time off. For folks with skin sensitivities, you'll have to decide for yourself, but I did not discern any difference after the shave.

As I've said, I have tallow and vegetable top favorites, so I did not expect to be swayed by the ingredients list. However, I am, frankly, gobsmacked, at how well Maurer & Wirtz redid this popular classic shaving soap. Hat's off to them, bravo!
 

JCinPA

The Lather Maestro
Thank you for a great review. Now I am not worried about trying the new Tabac.

Absolutely, don't be. My very favorite shaving soaps are about evenly split between tallow and non-tallow at this point, I don't bother classifying them any longer if I'm trying something new.

I cannot imagine you being disappointed with the new formulation. Tabac has been a staple for me for almost 15 years, and I'm delighted with the new stuff. I admit to being pleasantly surprised, but try with confidence.
 

Marco

B&B's Man in Italy
Final shave in this test, the side-by-side:

Tuesday, January 21​

  • Pre shave - shower
  • Yaqi Ghost 90SB head on DS Cosmetics Spiral Ti handle (China)
  • Gillette Platinum "Swede" #3 (Russia)
  • Yaqi Mysterious Space and PAA Amber Aerolite synthetic brushes
  • Tabac Original tallow & 2021 vegetable versions (Germany)
  • Thayer's WH (USA)
  • Bootleggers El Dorado A/S (USA)
10/10 BBS. Part of a week-long comparison of original and new Tabac, today I shaved with both soaps, tallow on the right, new formulation on the left. I simply could not tell them apart, if someone lathered for me in a blind test and handed me a loaded brush I would not know which one I was using. Both equally dense and slick, both sides of my face equally BBS smooth and comfortable, no difference in the alcohol burn after the shave. It's a toss up.

==========

The Verdict

I cannot tell the difference between the two soaps. I really cannot. If La Toja is an example of an awful reformulation away from tallow, this is on the other end of the spectrum, it was a perfect reformulation away from tallow. Scent, slickness, density, comfort, all indistinguishable for me. I'm glad I have some of the original left in my den, but if I run out, I will happily reload with the new stuff. It is first tier lather, still one of the favorites I can count on less than the fingers of one hand, and I will never be without it.

I'm sticking to my conclusion from a couple days ago--if you believe tallow soaps are inherently better always and everywhere and never met a vegetable soap you like, don't try this. You won't like it, though no fault of the soap. It's just the way your mind works.

If you are slightly less doctrinaire than that, whether you have experience with the original or not, I highly recommend current Tabac. You'll either love the scent or not, but I can guarantee you'll find it easy to make outstanding lather and you'll love the shave experience (if not unduly influenced by the scent).

As I've also said, I don't opine on post-shave feel because I've never had any sensitivity to any shave product, and have very normal (not dry or oily) skin and can get a BBS close shave every day without needing any time off. For folks with skin sensitivities, you'll have to decide for yourself, but I did not discern any difference after the shave.

As I've said, I have tallow and vegetable top favorites, so I did not expect to be swayed by the ingredients list. However, I am, frankly, gobsmacked, at how well Maurer & Wirtz redid this popular classic shaving soap. Hat's off to them, bravo!
And my hat off to you for the wonderful write-up, dear John!
 
I cannot tell the difference between the two soaps. I really cannot. If La Toja is an example of an awful reformulation away from tallow, this is on the other end of the spectrum, it was a perfect reformulation away from tallow. Scent, slickness, density, comfort, all indistinguishable for me. I'm glad I have some of the original left in my den, but if I run out, I will happily reload with the new stuff. It is first tier lather, still one of the favorites I can count on less than the fingers of one hand, and I will never be without it.

I can tell them apart in how the lather behaves as it moves. But I subscribe to your other conclusion, namely that this is a reformulation done very well. Of course most would've preffered the situation where things had stayed the same, but you can't do much about factories closing their doors due to lack of demand of the product they manufacture.
 
Tallow Tabac to me, is the pinnacle of classic shaving soaps. Yes many of the new soaps will leave your skin conditioned better, etc... but for shaving, standard Tabac Tallow has that masculine scent and creamy, slick lather with great cushion.

@JCinPA thank you for turning me onto it!
Regardless of soap, Tabac is the only Aftershave I use. It's a classic old school masculine scent. Love it!
 
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