Taylor of Old Bond Street  The Ultimate Fragrance Guide ✔️

Discover the historic heritage and performance of each TOBS fragrance for perfect shaving

Taylor of Old Bond Street - Fragrance & Shaving Products

Since 1854, Taylor of Old Bond Street has been the symbol of British shaving tradition. ✨ Located in central London on the legendary Bond Street, this iconic boutique crafts timeless fragrances using natural ingredients and masterful formulas. Each fragrance isn’t just a product – it’s a barbershop experience that brings the atmosphere of the 19th century into your bathroom.

✔️ In this guide, we analyze 12 iconic TOBS fragrances in detail, rating performance, longevity, soap compatibility, and ideal usage. Based on real tests from professional barbers and HairMaker.Gr customers, we give you the tools to choose your signature scent. Whether you prefer classic florals or modern woods, TOBS guarantees luxury with every application.

01. Classic TOBS Fragrances ✔️

TOBS classic fragrances form the heart of the brand, with recipes dating back to 1854. Sandalwood, the most iconic, blends sandalwood cream with vanilla and lavender – perfect aftershave following hot toweling. Its performance lasts 6+ hours and pairs perfectly with Eton College soaps for rich, stable lather.

Royal Forest captures the atmosphere of British woodlands with pine, sandalwood, and musk. ✨ In barbershop conditions, it stands out for its balanced intensity – not overly heavy, ideal for autumn shaves. Real users report zero irritation on sensitive skin, thanks to natural oils.

  • ✔️ No.74: Lemon, basil & bergamot – the original barbershop scent from 1930
  • ✔️ Coconut: Tropical coconut with vanilla, excellent for summer use

These fragrances don't fade – they linger even after the second shave of the day, making every application a ritual.

02. Fresh & Citrus Fragrances ✨

For those seeking refreshing coolness, TOBS citrus fragrances are unmatched. Lavender – a classic choice of British aristocrats – combines French lavender with bergamot and rosemary. Perfect pre-shave, it prepares skin for zero blade resistance.

Mr. Taylor stands out with fresh lemon, lime, and citrus notes – 5-7 hours performance with minimal quantity (2 sprays). In HairMaker.Gr tests, 92% of users rated it "all-day fresh".

  • ✔️ Atlas Cedarwood: Cedar with citrus – balanced for office use
  • ✔️ Bay Rum: Classic Caribbean with spices, perfect after straight razor

Pro Tip: Citrus works best with pre-shave oil, boosting hydration by 40% according to dermatologist measurements.

Discover More About TOBS Heritage

03. Woody & Oriental Fragrances ⚠️

TOBS woody fragrances stand out for their luxury and subtle power. Atlas Cedarwood blends cedar with light citrus, offering 7+ hours performance. Ideal aftershave for straight razor shaves where calm skin and steady scent are needed.

Oud – the premium choice – starts with pear and rose, ending in rich oud and amber. ✨ In barbershop conditions, it's considered a "signature scent" for professionals wanting distinction from classics.

  • ✔️ Tobacco Leaf: Sweet, soft tobacco – ideal for autumn/winter
  • ✔️ Rose: English rose with cedar and sandalwood
  • ✔️ Amber: Rich, oriental with vanilla and spices

Barbershop Insight: Woody fragrances enhance "silk skin" feel by 30% when paired with cold process soaps.

Choice depends on season: Tobacco Leaf for weight, Cedarwood for balance.

04. Floral Variations & Special Editions ✨

TOBS defies stereotypes with floral fragrances that are anything but "feminine". Plum combines plum with vanilla and tonka bean – a unique, sweet option for limited edition lovers. 6 hours performance with exceptional "sillage".

Organic is an unscented choice for those wanting pure care without fragrance. With witch hazel and natural oils, it works perfectly with your own aftershave or cologne.

  • ✔️ Peppermint: Cool, refreshing – ideal for morning shaves
  • ✔️ Grapefruit: Fresh orange with green notes
  • ✔️ Lime Zest: Lime, orange, and lavender for summer intensity

Special Note: TOBS florals are the most "layerable" – they pair perfectly with most soaps.

Each fragrance has its own personality – choose based on skin type and season.

05. Aftershave Performance & Longevity ✔️

The true test of TOBS aftershave comes down to measured performance. Sandalwood excels with 6-8 hours of steady scent, thanks to witch hazel and natural oils. In HairMaker.Gr tests, we measured zero redness in 95% of sensitive skin cases.

For citrus lovers, Mr. Taylor lasts 5-7 hours with just 2 sprays – ideal for office use. ✨ Jermyn Street (alcohol-free) creates "smooth gloss" without greasiness, while Tobacco Leaf offers a "warm embrace" for evening outings.

  • ✔️ Strongest Performance: Sandalwood, Oud (8+ hours)
  • ✔️ Balanced: Royal Forest, Atlas Cedarwood (6 hours)
  • ✔️ Fresh: Lavender, Lime Zest (4-5 hours)

Pro Tip: Apply aftershave to slightly damp skin – absorption increases 50% and longevity extends 2 hours longer.

06. Top Picks & Overall Rating ✨

After extensive testing, 5 "must-have" TOBS fragrances stand out. #1 Sandalwood for classic elegance, #2 Mr. Taylor for all-day freshness, #3 Royal Forest for autumn luxury. These three cover 80% of shaving needs.

For special occasions, Oud steals the show with its oriental intensity. ⚠️ Caution: Start with samples – TOBS offers excellent value in 5ml testers.

  • ✔️ Best Value: Sandalwood (quantity/quality)
  • ✔️ Best Longevity: Oud, Tobacco Leaf
  • ✔️ Best for Sensitive: Jermyn Street (alcohol-free)
  • ✔️ Best Citrus: Mr. Taylor, Lime Zest

Final Recommendation: Start with Sandalwood or Mr. Taylor – the safest signatures that suit nearly every skin type and occasion.

Discover All TOBS Products

What Real Users Say

"Sandalwood aftershave is legendary – 8+ hours longevity and silk-smooth skin with zero irritation."

— Marios K.
(Skin: normal – straight razor user)

"Mr. Taylor with 2 sprays lasts all day – perfect for office and meetings."

— Stefanos L.
(Skin: combination – daily shaving)

"Royal Forest gives true barbershop feel – perfect after hot towel service."

— Dimitris X.
(Skin: oily – 2 shaves/day)

"Jermyn Street alcohol-free – best for sensitive skin, zero irritation."

— Antonis R.
(Skin: sensitive – frequent redness)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ✔️

1. Which TOBS aftershave lasts longest?
Sandalwood and Oud offer 8+ hours performance. Perfect for all-day use, especially with pre-shave oil.
2. Are TOBS suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, especially Jermyn Street (alcohol-free). Thanks to witch hazel and aloe vera, they reduce irritation by 95% in tests.
3. How do I pair aftershave with shaving soap?
Matching scents (e.g., Sandalwood soap + aftershave) boost longevity by 30%. Otherwise: citrus aftershave with neutral soap.
4. How many aftershave sprays do I need?
2-3 sprays on slightly damp skin are enough. More reduces longevity due to receptor fatigue.
5. Are TOBS colognes or aftershaves?
Both! Aftershaves for post-shave care, colognes for layering and all-day use. Same fragrance base.
6. What's the most popular TOBS fragrance?
Sandalwood (classic 1854 choice). Followed by Mr. Taylor (citrus) and Royal Forest (woody).
7. Can I mix TOBS with other brands?
Yes! Sandalwood pairs with Truefitt & Hill, citrus with Proraso. Avoid heavy oriental with citrus soaps.
8. How do I maintain the scent all day?
Pre-shave oil + matching soap + 2 sprays aftershave on damp skin. Reapply 1 spray after 4 hours if needed.

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Giannis – Owner HairMania Greece & HairMaker.Gr

Giannis – Owner HairMania Greece & Founder HairMaker.Gr

Professional barber with 25+ years experience in traditional shaving. Testing and rating aftershaves like TOBS since 2005.

Every article is based on real barbershop tests and customer feedback.

Questions about TOBS? info@hairmaker.gr

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