I passed over this combo so many times, thinking it was too stodgy, or just not interesting enough. The scent profile is simple: Rose, Jasmine, Cedar and Juniper. Meh, right? WRONG!

I got the sample and couldn't keep my nose out of it! It's blended so beautifully, I couldn't pick out any of the individual scent notes. Instead, it's just a fantastic cologne-like accord, that smells truly Old World and masculine. What a pleasure! It's a warm, manly scent that can be worn year round. And at a moderate scent strength, say 5 out of 10, it is neither shy, nor brash.

As for those who consider rose too girly, do not make that mistake! The combined scents are not floral or even remotely feminine. In fact, if more Italian "cologna-style" scents were like this one, I'd be an Italian aficionado. But as a standout on its own, this scent is confident and secure - the smell of a man comfortable in his own skin. I am very pleased.

I purchased 5 tins of Phoenix shaving soap and they all smell great. Recently, I noticed I haven't opened this tin of Gondolier Old World Shaving Soap and I was so excited. It was like Christmas in June. But to my surprise it smell like saddle soap!! Not what I expected at all. So I Bloomed it - thinking it needed some help rejuvenating the botanicals. After 4 or 5 blooming without any Old World scent. It's a sad day. It lathers great but it smell bad. I have other shaving soap that I don't use regularly and they still smell great but I didn't have the same results with Gondolier. It smell like the pants of the gondolier after a hot day of work!

I love this soap! To me, it smells exactly like an Axe body spray that everyone used in middle school. This isn't a bad thing, the smell doesn't have that bad aerosol smell that Axe has. This is a soap that I would buy again.

Gondolier is one of the best scented shaving soaps on the market. I have used many, many great soaps with great scents. I don't know why Gondolier isn't talked about more. It smells like a great cologne and the aftershave/cologne is great. The scent lasts all day and leaves a slick, smooth, protective feel to your face all day. If you like great scents you won't be disappointed.

Great clean smell mixed with Irish spring soap! But just like their other soaps great lather, great smell, great slickness/protection! What more could you ask for!

Just wow, my all time favorite sent. Masculine smell. MATCH WITH THE AFTERSHAVE! You won't regret it.

Great performing soap, great scent. My new #1 favorite soap.

All of these 5 star reviews are justified.

I've only been wet shaving for 6 weeks. So, yes I'm new to this. I started out using a gel that I've always used. I didn't think to use anything else. Since I was still conditioned with my old carttridge shaving habits. Then I watched a great YouTube video by Mr. Smythe on how to wet shave. So I went onto watch other videos on YouTube on different soaps and creams. So I purchased this particular soap based on video reviews and the ingredients.

I must say the scent is incredible. The soap performed amzing for my first soap shave. I had no nicks and my skin felt great afterwards. I can tell you that now I love shaving. It's no longer a chore and I really look forward to it. I will be ordering this soap again and I will be trying the other soaps as well. Thanks for an awesome product.

It may sound cliché, but I can't believe it's not tallow! This soap performance beats the majority of artisan tallow soaps I've used. Cushion, glide, post shave feel, it has it all. The lather scent is much nicer than I would expect from either the description or the tin scent. Not to mention that it's an excellent value, I wouldn't expect to get such a soap for less than $3.50 - $4 an oz. Now I want to try some other scents! Good job, PAA.

Fantastic scent, awesome lather. If you are buying this soap I highly recommend getting the aftershave balm and or aftershave.

This soap exceded my expectations. I think this so called new formula is easier to lather than the old one even though I love the old soaps I have from how to grow a moustache.Slick and thick lather just like many high quality tallow based artisan soaps. The tin is so large and a pleasure to use with large brushes without making a mess.
The scent is complex and takes a bit of time to fall in love with. At first I didn't like it but now it's my favourite

I am fairly new to the wet shaving world, having only been doing it for about two months now. I came across the moustache and blade podcast relatively soon after I began wet shaving. After catching up on all of the episodes and watching multiple videos and reviews on youtube I noticed everyone seemed to really like Douglas' soaps. The Gondolier scent seemed to be one that was most talked about so seemed to be a solid choice. I would prefer to be able to smell my soaps before buying them, but unfortunately that isn't really an option here, however, I was very pleased with the classic clean scent of the Gondolier soap.

I have used two shave soaps prior to this, Proraso red and another artisan soap and this stuff definitely lives up to the hype! I bloomed my soap with hot water while in the shower and couldn't believe the crazy super slick lather this stuff created! I am hooked...the only bad part is I can't shave twice a day. I also purchased the i.e. soap and will write a review after I use it. I was also surprised how much soap was in the 3.5 ounce container...this stuff will last a WHILE!

Douglas if you read this...THANKS! You and Ryan have taught me so much with your podcast and blog!!!

Cheers!

Frances and Hodges have a winner on their hands with Gondolier. I was one of the few people that didn't care for the original HTGAM formula (I think version 1). It lathered fine but my nose picked up the base soap smell regardless of what scent it was. I gave the 2.5 version a try (Gondolier, Chocolate/Bourbon and Lavender Cedar). Boy am I glad I did. This new formula is absolutely fantastic. I think these lather up even better than the original - which a lot of wet shavers loved. High quality at a very reasonable price. Strongly recommended.

WHAMMY! Out of the park . . . I don't think I really knew what "cushion" was till shaving with this soap (and Speakeasy and Amber) this week. Doug's formulation is greatness in a tin. Just a real pleasure.

Warm, rich, clean and classic -- I try to rotate my shaving soaps. But my love of this scent has caused me to break rotation more times than I can remember. I have this in Synergy 1.0, and look forward to buying it in the current formulation down the line. Always a good shave and good morning with this one.

Awesome soap! This is becoming my favorite soap as I just love the thick lather. Scent is a bonus as I love that as well.