On my last trip to my favorite NYC supplier of high end shaving supplies, that wonderful little pharmacy that begins with a "P", I decided to get some more Taylor Avocado. Now, the inconsistency of Taylor's tubs are somewhat legendary, so I shamelessly opened each of the half dozen or so tubs on the shelf. As a long time resident of the city, the disdainful stares of the old biddies squeezing through the cramped aisle were no problem (we're a tough lot- my father's headstone reads "What are you lookin' at?").
What I discovered inside was appalling. One of them was no more than 1/3 filled with a loose slurry of glop. I was astonished not to find a "Sample-not for sale" sticker on the outside. Others were not as bad, but were nevertheless unimpressive. Finally, we have a keeper: a pristine jar filled to the brim with a perfect, dense, thick mound topped with a lovely swirl one would expect on the top of an ice cream cone. I was sold on looks alone.
This particular tub is a dead ringer for one of my very favorite creams, the D. R. Harris Arlington. It provides very nearly the same level of rich, luxurious lather, and ample lubrication for the cold winter months. As for the scent, it's nothing to write home about, but I should point out that I'm not a big fan of the Arlington scent, either. I rank it as fair to poor in their colognes or after shaves, but is very nice and mild in their cream. The avocado is not entirely dissimilar, strange as that may sound. It's much better than I remember it, and I'm very satisfied with this latest tub. It is, I should mention, from the "old" batch, but that is another story that has already been beaten to death.
At $14, versus a very reasonable $25 for the Harris, it's a terrific supplement to, if not a substitute for, the Arlington. I would not, however, purchase it on line, or without first opening it.
What I discovered inside was appalling. One of them was no more than 1/3 filled with a loose slurry of glop. I was astonished not to find a "Sample-not for sale" sticker on the outside. Others were not as bad, but were nevertheless unimpressive. Finally, we have a keeper: a pristine jar filled to the brim with a perfect, dense, thick mound topped with a lovely swirl one would expect on the top of an ice cream cone. I was sold on looks alone.
This particular tub is a dead ringer for one of my very favorite creams, the D. R. Harris Arlington. It provides very nearly the same level of rich, luxurious lather, and ample lubrication for the cold winter months. As for the scent, it's nothing to write home about, but I should point out that I'm not a big fan of the Arlington scent, either. I rank it as fair to poor in their colognes or after shaves, but is very nice and mild in their cream. The avocado is not entirely dissimilar, strange as that may sound. It's much better than I remember it, and I'm very satisfied with this latest tub. It is, I should mention, from the "old" batch, but that is another story that has already been beaten to death.
At $14, versus a very reasonable $25 for the Harris, it's a terrific supplement to, if not a substitute for, the Arlington. I would not, however, purchase it on line, or without first opening it.