The GOAT

The GOAT is one of the most complex scents ever reviewed by ShaveSplash, and also one of the most exquisitely architected. Best understood as a Floral Oriental, it is likely to be polarizing, with some finding it perfume-like and others finding it intoxicating, addictive, and deeply unique. Many scents contain both feminine and masculine facets, and some are genuinely unisex, but The GOAT achieves something especially impressive: despite its floral intensity, it remains distinctly masculine. Rose, Peony, and Saffron give the scent a dusty, pollen-like floral quality, while the ingenious contributions of Black Tea and Cannabis Flower provide depth, shadow, and structure. The Black Tea adds a velvety, dry, slightly leathery note that reads almost like Tobacco, acting as a counterfoil to the delicacy of the flowers. Green Cannabis contributes a resinous, almost humid dampness, adding earthiness and botanical texture as part of what Eric Hebert calls his “Dirt Accord.” Nubian Musk brings a subtle skin-like warmth, while Purple Fig injects a jammy fruitiness that, when combined with Vanilla, wraps the entire scent in a delectable sweetness, almost like a savory filling inside a sweet crepe. 

The result is a captivating bouquet that seems to dance around the wearer like a mobile over a crib, mesmerizing and soothing at the same time. The GOAT is an extraordinary contribution from an up-and-coming perfumer, one that feels both collectible and essential for serious connoisseurs. It projects well, so expect to be noticed, and use it with restraint at the office or in formal settings. But its beauty is so great that, applied thoughtfully, it can feel welcome almost anywhere. ShaveSplash rarely takes such a firm view on fragrance, understanding that every scent has its audience, but The GOAT earns our highest recommendation.

The Cajun Blade Store refers to its aftershave as an “After Sauce,” an apt name given its thick, creamy texture, which presents more like a light balm than a traditional splash. The key ingredient behind that texture is xanthan gum, whose role is more functional than therapeutic: it thickens, stabilizes, and gives the formula its distinctive body. Alcohol and witch hazel provide the familiar antiseptic and astringent qualities of a classic aftershave, while glycerin helps hydrate and jojoba oil and vitamin E add conditioning. Some will appreciate the heavier tactile feel of the Sauce, which gives the product a more substantial and protective character on the skin. Others may find that richness leaves behind a bit of residual tackiness.