I included this review in my SOTD, but thought I would cross post it here under soaps: Cold River Soap Works is a relatively new soap in my den and it is a shame it took me so long to try it. I have a full tin of the Puro Fresco and samples of Vetiver and Winter (Thank you JR Reyes for the generous sample of Winter!!). This is my own tub and label rather than the professional packaging that you get with a full tin from CRSW. The opening is very wide on their tins, allowing you to quickly and easily load your brush. The scent of this soap is very different from other Vetivers. It is a sweeter, cleaner version. It is very nice, but I don't love it as much as the. Puro Fresco, which is an amazing scent. This Select line is a premium priced soap, and it comes with premium performance. It is loaded with top notch ingredients like tallow, lanolin, kokum, and shea. The lather is dense, creamy, and has a broad sweet spot when it comes to variations in the amount of water. Slickness is very good, particularly if you are generous with the water and let it build - similar to B&M or Mike's. It is not slickest soap I've used, but certainly very good. Where this soap really shines is post shave face feel. I have used the Puro Fresco soap without a balm afterwards and my face felt as if I had used one. I'm not sure any soap beats this one on skin feel. It is like Mitchell's Wool Fat but with a more robust (and very good) scent. All in all, I think Cold River Soap Works has broken into my top 5 favorite artisans. I would compare it favorably to B&M and Mike's as one of the best tallow based soaps. The only reason not to try this soap is if you have an aversion to tallow. Otherwise, put it on your list.
Congratulations on enjoying the new soap! I think it is one of the best soaps, there is. The post-shave is excellent and I really enjoy some of Larry's unique scents.
That is an excellent review. Many thanks for that! I have heard of the brand name before, but didn't know much else about it before reading your post.
Good review, thank you! I have both of those and love the Puro Fresco. I've heard rumors of a new CRSW Vetiver coming soon and that was confirmed yesterday by Larry. Based on Tom Ford Grey and another Vetiver I've never heard of.
Thanks for the very nice review. CRSW soaps are on my list. I first need to work thru some of what I have on hand. I let things get out of hand a little last year.
I recently received their Savon #1 scented Select Shaving Soap. The product is wonderful in terms of performance. However, I find the espoused scent difficult to find/smell.
I tried a sample from a friend recently - the citrus has a strong scent and very good performance. I'm curious about Puro fresco Is it just clean soap smell?
I don't think it resembles Arko or other "soapy" smelling scents at all. To me, it smells like a high end hotel. Even though there is no cucumber or melon essential oils in it, it evokes that type of scent to my nose. There is also lemon and light grassy notes. It is one of my favorite soaps.
Writing about Puro Fresco earlier made me want to lather some up tonight. Nice creamy, dense lather with no large air bubbles. Really good stuff.
