The Underground, Definitive, Phoenix Classic [That You Probably Never Heard Of!]

Scent Profile: Pine, lily, orris, amber, vanilla, birch, mahogany, jasmine and leather. Dark, smooth, sensual, sophisticated, and to quote Fran, "Very masculine". The Battle will make a lasting impression this season we predict.

Find the ENTIRE The Battle Collection Here!

But What is The Battle?

The Battle, as some of you know, more few than "some" I suspect, is one of our most legendary scents! A few of you out there may recall a very special scent we made exclusively for a very special pharmacy dubbed, The Battle of NYC. This proved to be a real crowd pleaser but sadly, as an exclusive it was only ever available as a shave soap and splash.

For years folks wrote to us, some begging, some pleading, others demanding we rectify this or at the very least offer a matching star jelly! I can't say we didn't expect this, but our hands were tied. As a super busy, small artisan we just didn't have time to invest in a product we would solely only ever wholesale. Sometimes you have to let your babies go.

You see, we don't skimp when it comes to creating exclusive scents for our vendors, especially Leon, who I have always respected and appreciated. Heck, we were the first artisan stocked at Pasteur's (#FunFact), so it was only right that I deliver one of our best scents to date to one of the best gents in the biz! I have to say this one took some work. There was much pushing and pulling when it came to the shape of this accord but we would only rest when we had nailed it...and nail it down we did! Dare I say, The Battle is an instant classic and we are super stoked to finally expand upon the line!

Alas, Pasteur's changed their business model mostly due to the pandemic and the scent fell back into our lap...BOOM! With that, we went to work making slight tweaks and then creating an entire matching collection! Honestly, it really seemed like fate being our 10th anniversary; finally the stars were aligned for the "full treatment"! That said, fans of our original The Battle of NYC will absolutely LOVE our new and improved version, The Battle! Same great, epic flavor and essence but even more distinguished!

As for the name and art.

One has to admit we live in, umm...interesting times. I blame all of this on a fortune cookie I received January 7, 2015, wishing that I may have the luck enough to live in such times, and well...here we are. So, sorry about that. And to think I almost went out for Indian food that night instead. Again, my bad, mea culpa.

So, looking at the art, you'll find a rather confusing/comical/interesting scene indeed. The future, the past, the control, the zero control, the observer, the reality bleeding into a fever dream, bleeding into spectacle. In effect, a battle of the absurd. Consider this social commentary maybe? Or possibly, what 10 years operating a small business can feel like?

Kidding aside, we are looking forward to serving you all for another 10 most interesting years! May they be as fantastically smelling as they are interesting! Shave On!

Solid Cologne?

I must confess, I was not a believer in Solid Colognes until recently! Many times when asked if I would ever consider doing one, my default answer was always:

"Solid Colognes are for hippies and little girls."

I really believed this. I mean, I vividly remember my little sister getting some that came with a doll of hers when she was 5! I also remember seeing the stuff on offer in many a new age store on the shelf next to the incense in intricately carved soapstone compacts, lol.

I assure you dear reader, my answer wasn't meant to be hurtful or mean spirited, and I admit I was simply wrong and uneducated in the ways of this magical stuff!

So what changed my mind you ask? Quite simply, it was the history. It turns out I actually owned a book on solid perfumes! I know, how is this possible? But it does happen.

Whenever I delve into anything I go full tilt and many years back, when I began working on honing my skills as a perfumer, I ordered every book out there! Some books were even in French! And one, as I mentioned, was on Solid Perfumes... totally didn't read the subtitle when ordering it, all I read was "Perfume". When it arrived, uninterested, I tossed it to the side, only to stumble upon it once more, years later, while transferring books to a new shelf.

And after the many requests from people over the years I did become more curious as to what all the hoopla was about in regards to the balm. So I put the tome on my bed and promised to take a quick gander at it before I fell asleep that night. That gander turned into a marathon session, a real page turner!

I am embarrassed to say I was way wrong, my previous exposure to the stuff was very limited, and I really had no right making up my mind to write it off so quickly. Solid Perfumes & Colognes were born out of a rich history and are totally different animals when it comes to scent carriers. I was looking at them completely wrong.

Fact is, a Solid Cologne is a much more personal, intimate, and tactile creation when compared to say, an Eau De Parfum, Cologne, or Aftershave. It is not meant for everyone in the room to smell but rather those closest to you, as well as yourself. It isn't meant to live on the shelf in your bathroom, but more as a travel companion tucked in your backpack, briefcase, gym bag or carry on!

This is part of the history! Back in the day, solid perfumes were kept close, often on the body, hidden in the secret compartment of a ring, or worn close to the heart in a locket or metal ball called a Pomander. It was always there for a quick whiff or application to the hot spots or facial hair.

Many men and women even carried scent boxes with them back in the day for inhaling while walking the fowl streets of medieval cities! Some of these boxes and compacts held multiple scents to be enjoyed one at a time or all at once or in different combinations. The sniffer could turn on or off the different scents of the accord...That's just AWESOME! Like playing your own composition on a musical instrument. Scent for scents sake!

Even plague doctors got in on the act and kept solid perfume on themselves as well. Many now know that doctors of that time wore curious bird like masks, the beak of which was stuffed with aromatic herbs. These herbs were thought to prevent the spread of the plague, and they were also used to eclipse the stench coming off the patients.

What you may not know is these doctors also came outfitted with a cane that hid a secret flip lid in the handle. This compartment held a blended, solid perfume that could be accessed in a pinch and smeared under the nose. Brilliant!

In Ancient Egypt, solid perfumes were a large part of the culture. An Egyptian woman often wore what was called an unguent, or scent cone, containing the perfume, on the top of her head. Unlike modern solid perfumes, which are mixed with wax and oils, these ancient fragrances were blended with animal fat, and during the course of the hot day it would melt and anoint the wearer...that's pretty epic!

I could go on, but instead, I encourage you to do your own research. I promise you it is fascinating and will give you a greater appreciation of Solid Cologne and Perfumes!

So, with the weight of history dancing in my head I went to work on creating my own Solid Cologne, and it came out wonderful! Rather than dissolving absolutes, resins, and balsams into alcohol as I typically would for an alcohol based perfume, I carefully heated them, and along with the scent oils, blended them into the Beeswax, Shea Oil, Jojoba oil, Prickly Pear Oil matrix.

I find that, as the perfumer, the scent stays truer longer to the original shape I was going for. Meaning, volatile top notes last longer and heart notes fade slower too! Base notes will last much, much longer as they mix and mingle more organically with your own body chemistry and natural oils seamlessly.

Solid Cologne is a total and complete departure from the chemical reaction one experiences with an alcohol based product. It is more like a harmonious alchemical marriage, than a quick burn and evaporate dry down effect. Very different energetics when compared, and don't misunderstand me, they are both wonderful, but again, unique from each other, and that's what I didn't understand before.

Even the mechanics of application are different. Apply it once or revisit it many times during the day as a pick me up, no one will even notice when you do. There's a very sensual element at play here, like a secret with yourself.

I really have to say, this whole process enriched me as a perfumer, I truly felt part of a greater work. Ok, it's getting a little woo woo, but I think you are picking up what I'm putting down, no?

It's true, I really misunderstood solid perfumes in the past and dismissed them way too soon in my arrogance. If you are like I was, I encourage you to become humble and check them out, otherwise you are doing yourself a great disservice.

Now...How DO I Use Solid Cologne?

Rub a finger across the top of the solid cologne and apply it to the pulse points & hot spots: wrists, neck, inside of elbow, behind the ears, and heart. You can also use in the beard, moustache or hair. Reapply through the day or whenever yo need a pick me up!

1.5 Oz Heavy Duty Glass Jar & Bakelite Cap

Beeswax, Shea Oil Jojoba oil, Prickly Pear Oil, Fragrance & Rosemary Extract

Handmade in Arizona, USA

Net Wt. 1.5 oz.