Gentlemen, 4 days ago I took delivery of a Blenheim Bouquet shaving soap in a wooden bowl, ordered direct from Penhaligon's here in the UK. The history of pen's soaps needs no introduction. What was once considered to be one of the best shaving soaps on the market, quickly hit rock bottom with the reformulation away from tallow in or around 2009.
Unfortunately, I only began using soaps in 2010 so never had the opportunity to experience the BB soap that was. I certainly did have the chance to try 2 soaps post reformulation, the last one around 18 months ago, and met with the abysmal lather that so many have experienced and reported.
The BB soap was absent from the Pen's website for the most part of this year, suggesting to me that another possible reformulation was coming. Well, it has re-appeared and on Monday last, I ordered the soap in its bowl.
All I can say is WOW. Firstly, the bowl has been replaced with a mahogany one(or mahogany appearance) with gold lettering on the lid. This bowl is of very high quality and very substantial.
The soap has lost its peach colour and is now simply plain white without any inscription on its surface. Scent, however, is identical to previous BB soaps I have tried. The performance of this soap is the biggest change. This soap is now outstanding. With a slightly damp brush, the lather just explodes. There is absolutely no sign, whatsoever, of evaporation that was so much the demise of post tallow. The lather is thick and creamy with excellent protection and glide. Post shave feel is also superb.
The ingredients list is below.
The only downside is the cost. Here in the UK, I paid £36(US$55) for the complete package, refills retail at £22(US$34).
I cannot recommend this new soap more highly. For those of us who have been longing for a return of this soap to its former glory, our prayers have been answered. This latest formulation performs as a shaving soap should, and with that BB scent, I've been on cloud nine these past few days.
Unfortunately, I only began using soaps in 2010 so never had the opportunity to experience the BB soap that was. I certainly did have the chance to try 2 soaps post reformulation, the last one around 18 months ago, and met with the abysmal lather that so many have experienced and reported.
The BB soap was absent from the Pen's website for the most part of this year, suggesting to me that another possible reformulation was coming. Well, it has re-appeared and on Monday last, I ordered the soap in its bowl.
All I can say is WOW. Firstly, the bowl has been replaced with a mahogany one(or mahogany appearance) with gold lettering on the lid. This bowl is of very high quality and very substantial.
![[Image: utf-8BSU1BRzA0MjguanBn_zpscdbf72a6.jpg]](http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa345/idjsullivan/utf-8BSU1BRzA0MjguanBn_zpscdbf72a6.jpg)
![[Image: utf-8BSU1BRzA0MzIuanBn_zpsc85203c4.jpg]](http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa345/idjsullivan/utf-8BSU1BRzA0MzIuanBn_zpsc85203c4.jpg)
The soap has lost its peach colour and is now simply plain white without any inscription on its surface. Scent, however, is identical to previous BB soaps I have tried. The performance of this soap is the biggest change. This soap is now outstanding. With a slightly damp brush, the lather just explodes. There is absolutely no sign, whatsoever, of evaporation that was so much the demise of post tallow. The lather is thick and creamy with excellent protection and glide. Post shave feel is also superb.
The ingredients list is below.
![[Image: utf-8BSU1BRzA0MjcuanBn_zps3dc3da74.jpg]](http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa345/idjsullivan/utf-8BSU1BRzA0MjcuanBn_zps3dc3da74.jpg)
The only downside is the cost. Here in the UK, I paid £36(US$55) for the complete package, refills retail at £22(US$34).
I cannot recommend this new soap more highly. For those of us who have been longing for a return of this soap to its former glory, our prayers have been answered. This latest formulation performs as a shaving soap should, and with that BB scent, I've been on cloud nine these past few days.
