The Eagle(s) have landed!

First off, I apologize for this taking so long. I probably would have thrown in a little bit to bump up the shipping had I known. Either way, it's here now...and you guys are all in for a gigantic treat.

I didn't do an unboxing video, mostly because my phone recorded for about 20 seconds before dying, but also because I was super excited to get inside and put my nose to these soaps, which I could smell from outside the huge cardboard box they came in. For the record, he used about 10 pounds of bubble wrap, packing peanuts and tissue paper to keep these things safe. They all showed up okay and everything is as ordered. I have about 75% packed up and ready to go out tomorrow morning, but I did run out of tape because of course I'd forget some Monday detail. I will be picking some up tomorrow after work, and I'll have the rest on the way asap. Sorry to the few of you that have to wait a couple extra days :(

So, on to the reviews!

These come in very nice jars. From all the pictures I've seen, I thought they would be a little cheaper, with cheapy little labels, but that is not the case. They look very professional, the jars are very sturdy and have a classy little silver band around them. I'm into minimalism and these jars are my personal favorites of all the artisans. They just scream "class"

• Wet Earth/Tierra Humeda - Wow. This stuff smells like smoke. This isn't your friendly, playful dark Vetiver. You open the top and it punches you in the face like a 2000 year Scotch, aged in some sort of burnt barrel. It's got some other stuff going on in there to cool it off a little, and it really does have a hint of "wetness" to round out the smoke notes. This is a mans man's soap.

• Madreselva (Honeysuckle) - None of his soaps are "lightly" scented, but this one is the most light scented of the bunch. It smells very clean, but definitely with floral notes. I would say that this could be almost considered a hyperfloral barbershop scent. Between this one and his Violetas, it makes me consider my condemnation of all Floral scents.

• Violetas - Speak of the devil...this one's simple. It smells like Violets. A slightly more upbeat but not powdery floral than maybe a rose scent. It's overall very nice, very tasteful.

• Floral - I packaged this away before smelling it. Since only 1 person ordered it, I didnt realize that until it was all packed up and ready to go. Sorry :(

• Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Naranja - Heavy Ylang Ylang, medium on the Patchouli, light on the orange. It smells respectable, but, to me, not exciting and with too much Ylang Ylang. This is probably my least favorite scent, but I had a bit of a get together tonight and a lot of people put this as #1. They're all idiots.

• Citricas - Pez candy. Thats what this smells like, with a tiny bit of floral added that rounds it out very nicely and makes you not just think "sweet." This is one of my favorites, which amazes me as I'm not usually a citrus guy. It doesn't knock you out with citrus, and it's extremely well blended.

• Brisa de Oriente - Holy shit. I wish I could put my adoration for this scent into proper words, but I think holy shit is the best way to describe it. This smells like heavily spiced, warm wine. I wish I could describe the notes, but I can't pick anything in particular out. This is most likely my favorite scent I've come across, in fragrances, aftershaves and soaps. I can't get enough of it.

Performance:

I shaved with Brisa de Oriente and lathered up my Citricas (I'm really happy I blindly chose these two).

There's nothing for it but to say that it knocked my socks off. I asked him in particular what he was going for with this new formulation, which he maintains we are the first to try except himself, and he said "more slippery." This is the slickest soap I've used, so he aced it. It lathers like a dream, just as easily and voluminous as MLS, the scents become more robust as you lather, and it stayed very slick throughout the shave.

I'm extremely thrilled with this soap. Manuel is not only a great guy to deal with, but he's an incredible soapmaker. If you didn't get in on this buy, do yourself a favor and get in touch with him and get some of this in your den, I promise you will not regret it.