Which Soap Makers Consistently Put Out the Best Scents

[Wgg2017]

So, this is largely going to be based on opinion since scent is such a subjective trait but I'm still curious to see who everyone's favorites are. Just like the title says, which soap maker(s) do you think consistently put out the best scents?

I'm going to list 3 that come to my mind, one that has a stable lineup that doesn't change, one that occasionally releases new items, and one that frequently has new releases:

1. Nuavia (lineup doesn't change)
2. Saponificio Varesino (occasionally release new scents)
3. Barrister and Mann (frequent new releases)
Honorable Mention: Ariana and Evans

So, who do you think consistently puts out the best scents?

 

[Peterv1]

There's so many excellent soap makers which offer great scents here's some of my favourites

Barrister and mann
Eufros
Truefitt and hill
Tobs
Stirling
Saponificio varesino
Martin de candre

 

[Timeclo]

Stirling does it for me. Straight and easy scents that I can enjoy without having to gamble whether I like the scent notes or not. There are some Stirling scents that's not my thing but I always go for samples first for those.

 

[Polarbeard]

Sapofinicio Varesino. Not many scents, but the scents they have are very nice and discrete. That in combination with a fantastic performance makes them hard to beat in my opinion.

 

[kingfisher]

Mystic Water.

Michelle's scents are all really well balanced, good scent strength without being overwhelming. She just really has a good nose and a perfumer's touch.

Most of her scents are relatively simple, but they are masterfully crafted. If you like the scent notes listed on the website, you will like the scent of the soap, which is more than i can say for a lot of the soapers out there, who almost seem to be having a contest to see who can produce the most jumbled scents with the highest number of fragrance notes. That might work for some people, and occasionally might produce a truly great scent, but more often it just makes a confused scent in which the scent notes are competing instead of working in harmony.

 

[JCarr]

Too many to list. I wanted to put down seven...that's too many. I picked a producer I have the most of.

The Goodfellas' Smile (favorite soap scent is Abysso)

 

[steffenapelz]

The two best IMO are Eufros (Manuel Garcia) and APR (Dan).

 

[Rrose Sélavy]

Eufros is the only soap that has never disappointed me in regard to scent. I also find Tallow + Steel and Dr. Jon's soaps to be pretty dang agreeable to my nose.

 

[Wgg2017]

...If you like the scent notes listed on the website, you will like the scent of the soap, which is more than i can say for a lot of the soapers out there, who almost seem to be having a contest to see who can produce the most jumbled scents with the highest number of fragrance notes...

I couldn't agree more with this point. Without naming names, there are a couple highly regarded soap makers that do this and I've purchased several of their soaps only to be very disappointed upon receiving them to the point that I don't order their products any longer, even though they do make a good soap for shaving.

 

[sarimento1]

If you're looking most at scent qualities, focus on the perfume houses.
Creed. Floris. Penhaligon's. Castle Forbes.
Martin de Candre is no slouch in this regard as well.
Just my 2c.

 

[Tarak83]

Big Stirling fan here.

 

[Adam18]

Stirling, Barrister & Mann, and Ariana & Evans.

 

[SharpieB]

Stirling, Barrister & Mann, and Ariana & Evans.

This and Declaration Grooming IMO.

I love most Henri et Victoria and First Canadian Shave Soaps but some of their offerings are meh.

 

[john parker]

D. R. Harris

 

[MrSpeedy]

Mike's Natural Soaps. He doesn't have a lot of scents, but what he does have is top-notch. And you don't have to worry about new bases, old bases, seasonal releases, etc. He has one base. And he offers shave sticks, which is rare for artisans.

Someone else mentioned Dr. Jon's and I would second that. His scents are excellent.

 

[kingfisher]

A third vote for Dr Jon's. I am especially fond of Savannah Sunrise, but Hydra is pretty great, too.

 

[GR5233]

Stirling for me as well

 

[Wgg2017]

I almost listed Dr Jon's but there have been a couple of theirs I wasn't a huge fan of.

 

[Tomo]

I am always suspicious of restaurants that have a hundred options on their menu. They rarely do any of them well. The best ones often have ten options or less but do them well. You know that it’s all going to be fresh and considered.

It’s a similar story for soaps.

Saponificio Varesino
DR Harris
Truefitt & Hill
Acqua di Parma
Tabac
Speick

These guys have have solid scents but they don’t have many options. Still every one should find something that they like in the line up.

Some ‘artisans’ offer many many scents that change all the time along with many many bases. Often they aren’t very good. Why so many choices? They are just throwing **** at the wall and seeing what sticks. Some people will run out and buy each one to see if it’s any good. I’m over that game. If you want scent you are best off going to a perfumer that knows what they are doing or a soap company that employs one.

 

[azwetshaver]

For me there are two artisans that always deliver when it comes to scents (and performance).

Mystic Waters
Cold River Soap Works