Thread: W.M. Neumann's aftershave splash reviews

Thanks to OCDshaver peaking my curiosity on this brand, I struck out and ordered the aftershave sampler for 9.95 shipping and all. I should start off by saying they had this stuff shipped to my door in 3 days...nice! Also, they threw in a full size bar of their juniper berry bath soap: light, fresh, and earthy without being drying at all. I am hooked on it. Now for the nitty gritty, I am going to try all the samples, list the ingredients, and give my impressions as I go, so please stay tuned. It seems all their aftershave splashes have the same base essential oils, and ingredients; which so far left my face smooth, refreshed, and absorbed quickly w/out being tacky or overly burning. So here is the base: Aloe, witchhazel, Slippery elm bark, marshmellow root, green tea, blue green algae, nettle, milk thistle, black willow bark, and tee tree oil. All good stuff so far. Sorry for the long first post, but they will be shorter as we go.
First up is: 1911
A little strong in the bottle, but once it goes on it tames out a bit, but still had about 3-4 hours of longevity on me, better than some colognes I've used.
My face got immediate relief w/out it just hanging around and getting sticky or oily, but never dried me out, just soft and smooth. Liking this stuff already.
It opens w/ a light citrus (maybe bergamot, and orange), sandlewood and rosewood. It was a fresh/crisp start, but quickly dried down to bring on the nutmeg, cardamom, and spices, with just the lightest hint of vanilla. To me, it seemed like a bit of juniper, vanilla, nutmeg, and musk...but very light and sweet, not the baby powdery chemically musk we see used alot. I would say this is best for winter, and early spring when it's cool, or cool breezy summer night.
So guys after this one, my curiosity is peaked. The 1911 struck me as something a high class business person of the 30's would be wearing going into their swanky building with brass stairwell rails and such. This is a definite top 5 favorite now.

Ok, next in the line up is the signature 1907. It has the same base ingredients as the 1911; same smooth, soft feel to my face, but a little less moisturizing. Not drying, but enough to let you know the alcohol and witch hazel are doing their thing.
The scent is a surprise, I don't really feel like the description on the site captures this one.
"Wm. Neumann's famous Signature scent from 1907 began with his Famous Plum and Apple Brandy combined with Cinnamon and Caribbean Spices, Vanilla, Juniper, Cardamom, Labdanum, Cedar, and Sandalwood. A traditional clean masculine fragrance that is classy, bright, fresh, and timeless."
My opinion (subjective of course): I couldn't sense any cinnamon at all (which for me is a good thing; it tends to make me sneeze or give me a headache if it's prominent). The first thing I got was the cardamom, labdanum, sandlewood, and a fresh light (almost like ocean breeze..."ozonic" I guess?) scent. Within about 5 minutes it settled into a more fresh linen, juniper, cedar, and vanilla (very understated vanilla). To me it was light, fresh, but with a mild sweet woody finish that has lasted about 3 hours w/out being obtrusive. This to me is a (for lack of a better description) modernized classic. This is a very close tie for me w/ the 1911, but I can see the SWMBO enjoying this as much as you. Really, you don't even need a cologne to go with this it's so good on its own, but something light and citrusy or a nautical type would do well. I would rate this one for warm winter days, late spring into summer. Stay tuned...up next is the Absolute Zero.

Today is the Absolute Zero. It has the same base ingredients as the previous two, so the healing properties are still excellent. The scent of this one is a light, fresh, ozonic as they call it accord. This is definitely a more modern scent compared to the previous two. The menthol content I would say is more than proraso, but less than osage rub. There is enough to get the cold tingle, but not enough to feel like you rubbed flexall 454 on your face. The closest scents I could put this to would be: Bvulgari Man and Calvin Klein Truth ( very similar to both). This would be best for the summer, and I believe it is geared more towards the early 20's-mid to late 30's crowd. Longevity was lacking here, lasting only about an hour to hour and a half.

Today's splash is Neumann's Bay Rum. This is a pretty standard Bay rum, in that it reminds me a lot of Captain's Choice Bay Rum in start to finish. Unfortunately, the longevity on this one ran about 20 minutes. However, its saving grace would have to be: its base ingredients (the same as the previous aftershaves reviewed) which leave you face refreshed and smooth without being greasy or tight and dry. The dry down leaves you with the traditional clove, cinnamon, and spices, but with a twinge of vanilla just barely eeking through at moments. I would have to say if you consider yourself a Bay Rum enthusiast, to give this one a go. There is only some warming on contact w/out the harsh essential oil burn, so for those who are thinking about trying your first bay rum, or splash for that matter, this would be a good one to give a test run.

Originally Posted by tiddle

Today's splash is Neumann's Bay Rum. This is a pretty standard Bay rum, in that it reminds me a lot of Captain's Choice Bay Rum in start to finish. Unfortunately, the longevity on this one ran about 20 minutes. However, its saving grace would have to be: its base ingredients (the same as the previous aftershaves reviewed) which leave you face refreshed and smooth without being greasy or tight and dry. The dry down leaves you with the traditional clove, cinnamon, and spices, but with a twinge of vanilla just barely eeking through at moments. I would have to say if you consider yourself a Bay Rum enthusiast, to give this one a go. There is only some warming on contact w/out the harsh essential oil burn, so for those who are thinking about trying your first bay rum, or splash for that matter, this would be a good one to give a test run.

Not to ruin your thunder, but I think a lot of bay rum enthusiasts will find their Peppermint and Clove AS to be an interesting alternative.....especially in warm weather. I just got a puck of it along with the AS. Nice combo.

Originally Posted by tiddle

Also, they threw in a full size bar of their juniper berry bath soap: light, fresh, and earthy without being drying at all. I am hooked on it.

I got hooked on it too and had to place an order for some. Just like a dealer, first one is free.

Okay yesterday was the heartwood aftershave. Same base as all the others, but here is the description from their site:
A truly first-class refined outdoorsy, woodsy fragrance—Fresh Bergamot and Spices combine with Blue Spruce, Sweet Bourbon Whiskey, Pipe Tobacco, Leather, Mimosa Flower, Guaiac Wood, Oakmoss and Myrrh to create a very masculine & warm fragrance.

I do agree with the refined woodsy description. It starts fresh, almost litely soapy from the oakmoss, and finishes fresh and woodsy. Crazy part is the dry down smells (to me) light soapiness, with cedar and sandlewood, and neither of these are even in it...weird. However, I didn't think I would like this from the description, but I can honestly say it's my new favorite aftershave period. As Guy Fiete would say..."man, that's money!"

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Not to ruin your thunder, but I think a lot of bay rum enthusiasts will find their Peppermint and Clove AS to be an interesting alternative.....especially in warm weather. I just got a puck of it along with the AS. Nice combo.

Yeah, I agree I think that one is going to be much better than it sounds. Kind of reminds me of the clove and mint chewing gum in the vial. I really can't wait to try the lime and mint rum. It smells so dang good in the container. Lord I am gonna be so broke when I have to buy the full size bottles lol!

Today I tried the Classic soda aftershave. WEEEEELLLLLL....I can't really say much other than it smelled like flat RC cola. Sorry guys, this was a flop for me.

Originally Posted by tiddle

I really can't wait to try the lime and mint rum. It smells so dang good in the container.

I really like it. It goes on smelling one way and settles down to be something else.