Clubman Special Reserve Shave Cologne, After Shave Macho Fragrance, 6 fl oz

This aftershave/cologne is unlike the others you think you might find in the discount bin at your local flea market.It might be priced at a lower cost than other more famous brands but I find the quantity and quality to be excellent.It does the job of providing that sting of alcohol sanitation as you slap it on your face after a close shave with my Ka-Bar knive.The smell is strong that doesn’t fade during the day, providing the wearer with a comfortable aroma to myself because my opinion is the only one that matters.Strong in sandalwood, musk, and smoke scents.I strongly recommend it if you like eating thick bloody steaks, referring to women as “broads”, carrying an .45 in a shoulder holster, and wearing pinstriped boxers under your seersucker suit.

You either love Pinaud or hate it, there is no middle ground it seems. I've tried the Virgin Island Bay Rum, Classic Clubman, and the Vanilla, and enjoyed them all (especially the Vanilla, that stuff is great). So I gave this one a try after reading the favorable reviews. For about $6 a bottle, the risk on investment was small. Upon opening the plastic bottle and smelling it I feared that this was the first Pinaud that I would regret buying.Then, I decanted about 5 ounces into a glass bottle with shaker top that Amazon sells for those folks who make and bottle their own hot sauce. These are great for decanting "drug store" after shaves out of their plastic bottles to remove that plastic funkiness that all Pinaud's seem to have at first. A few days later I took the plunge and splashed some Special Reserve on after a shave. It instantly reminded me of Aramis, only a bit different (much like the Classic reminds me of Brut, only different). It's strong at first, much like the Classic, so be a bit conservative with your "splash". Leather, tobacco, some other spices which I can't pinpoint, but the overall scent is warm and manly. It definitely has lasting power, but the scent is clean, masculine, not at all floral or sweet. I can smell this stuff from the time I splash it on, through the rest of my morning routine, getting dressed, making coffee, and then during my drive to work in the car. About an hour or so. Then, it starts to fade, to the point where I no longer perceive it but I get whiffs of it throughout the day.This is a good winter time after shave. The scent and feel just seem to "go" with colder temps as opposed to the menthol after shaves like Floid Blue which are definitely warm weather after shaves. While there are no obvious moisturizing or healing ingredients that I can see on the label, but my face doesn't feel dried out or overly tight when using this. I get a kind of matte feeling to my skin which is rather pleasant. Overall, this has become part of my rotation, especially in the colder weather now. The Vanilla is still my favorite Pinaud, but this is a close second.

Classic aftershave, scent wasn't as strong as I remember it, but still great.

I have to agree with a lot of reviewers about the initial response to the scent from the bottle. It smelled odd but I figured I already paid for it so I should give it a go.First, it performs well as an aftershave. I expect to get an instant antiseptic type sting when applied and then almost immediately a cooling effect. This product delivered.Second, the scent is actually very strong compared to my other aftershaves. This was a bit of a surprise. After a few minutes the scent mellows somewhat and is very complex. Woody? Leathery? Musky?, not sure but, I really like it. I have several aftershaves I use and this has quickly become my favorite.This may not be for everyone but perhaps that is part of the reason I like it so much. It is a complex, masculine scent which stands out and is interesting. I like to be a little a little different, walk to the beat of my own drum. I like this aftershave.

Classic fragrance. This is an old school keeper.

It is hard to place the elements of this aftershave, some say it is STRONG but I did not find it so. Their Virgin Island Bay Rum leaps out of the bottle and in the first minutes shouts to the world, I AM HERE, not the Special Reserve. It is subdued, but you can tell you are wearing it.Soft tones of leather, a bit of soap...not flowery, just hard to place. It is unique, it does smell nice. It will not be my go to aftershave just something to change up with or perhaps after-splash late in the day before going out for the evening. I applied to my face right after a cold water cool down from my double edge shave. It had a slight sting, very quick, nothing to note actually but it does have alcohol so expect a bit of this after a shave. I keep my blade sharp and shave well so nick cuts and abrasions are minimal and perhaps that is why no big slap in the face experience using this for me.For me...not STRONG, it is detectable, it is 'soft' ins scent, bit of leather but not musk, a sweetness smell to it. Is that "manly" ? Well, not to me but it is pleasant, will not offend due to strong odor those around you. It may be perfect for you, not strong enough for you, depends on your tastes. For me, I will keep it around and use it up, but it will not be my signature scent.That is my review part - now, my question on the name which has nothing to do perhaps with the product.Companies and products historically reserve the phrases "Reserve" and "Special Reserve" to denote that it is a limited release and availability, commands a higher price due to this AND that there indeed is something special about it. I have Clubman product, as this is a stand alone release, what is it supposed to be a "Special Reserve" of, which of the other products is the parent scent? I find nothing Special about it, and as there is an unlimited supply and available to non-insiders of Clubman, why is it a reserve? Reserved for who ?OK, end of questions.