From Ryan, Tallow + Steel:
'I hear you - but we wanted something to appeal to all those boring people out there who find our scents too unique/polarizing. I kid of course - no entrepreneur likes to see customers dissatisfied with a product. It's the reason we released our formula composition. I feel like the more information a customer has, the more informed their decision can be - but unfortunately this sentiment isn't always being shared by other artisans these days. Now sure, some people don't like our style, but I'm thankful that wetshaving has such an active second hand market, so usually a customer won't be out too much money if they don't enjoy the product. (My counter argument to why we don't offer samples?)
Regarding the scents of Sicily and Madagascar - you may still be surprised. Sicily is one that should be enjoyed by pretty much everyone, but there is always the T+S style present. Madagascar is fairly floral but unique in that the majority of the scent is ylang ylang which is not used much in wetshaving, and is not the feature in any other products I can think of. Very underused IMO. The vanilla we use is the real deal bourbon vanilla from Madagascar - probably the best vanilla in the world. If anyone has ever smelled vanilla from Madagascar, (I can't stop smelling it) the scent of it is completely wild. It's such a warm, rich, earthy vanilla - it actually smells anamalic to me.. in the same way the beaver castors I have here smell. (No spoilers.. but they are aging nicely)
So long story short - we wanted to round out our line with something a little more approachable, but still our style. Personally, I get bored with easy, approachable scents.. you aren't wearing it all day, the scent is mostly just there for your shave, so I want something that is going to make me say, "now that was fecking cool." However, I understand why many people prefer easier, more pleasant scents. We are unique in that many artisans rely on their company to pay the bills, so they may not be financially able to take risks like we do. If people don't like their product, it could impact their wellbeing - and nobody wants that. The fact that we are able to release such unique products (West Coast IPA anyone?) where we want to give the customer a wild olfactory experience, knowing that the product may not sell well, is an asset for us. The fact that we can focus on experience rather than revenue is what keeps me going.'
