Oxford & Cambridge (Czech & Speake)

By Thomas

If you want to induce herd behavior, use the word “tradition”. There may be more effective words to exert influence and gain compliance, but I don’t know of any that are so easily used and so gentle in persuading your subjects. Most misdirection is easily forgiven anyway, provided you have some sort of bona fides and a modicum of quality.

And so we start in upon Czech & Speake, a brand beloved by the wet-shaving and bathroom-remodeling sets. Somehow, C&S has managed to hitch their cart alongside Geo. Trumper and Truefitt & Hill – both of which have been in business since the 1800’s and hold royal warrants. But where Trumper and T&H have generations of service to their name, C&S is a relative newcomer – yet their name as well is spoken with hushed reverence.

I have a sample pack of C&S scents (visit their website and you, too can order their sample pack!), and since I thought I’d focus on the “traditional masculine” offerings, this seemed like a good place to start. Oxford and Cambridge (referring to tradition without actually using the word – nice touch) is my favorite of the bunch.

O&C is a mint-rosemary-lavender accord that I find irresistible. It opens a tad harsh, and then proceeds to hum along – not much sillage, decent longevity, and a beautiful green apple-lavender drydown. Not quite sweet and definitely not cloying, just barely astringent while keeping all the notes in line. O&C is a clean, fresh, younger scent. In my humble opinion, though, it is a tad too simple to justify the price. Try it, and if you can stomach the price of “tradition”, this one is a winner.

Year: 1994
Notes: English & French Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Bergamot, Oakmoss