Phoenix Shaving's Spice Bot Has the Soul of a Gentleman
- Teutonblade
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
There isn’t much about Phoenix Shaving that isn’t bold. From the artwork and fragrances to the ultra-rich soap base, and even the gear, everything radiates adventure, creativity, and a maximalist spirit. Spice Bot carries that signature DNA, but tempers it into something more composed: a sonorous, captivating composition that is equal parts inviting and intriguingly complex.
Inspired by Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme, Spice Bot lands firmly in the Oriental/Amber family, while sending clear signals toward an aromatic fougère structure. Where Spicebomb Extreme aims to be loud, immediate, and unapologetically forceful, Doug and Fran show real finesse, coaxing a spice-forward blend with restraint and elegance. It reads unmistakably masculine, yet never feels abrasive or overbearing; instead, it plays the role of a confident companion fragrance: present, polished, and remarkably wearable.
Spice is the headline, but it isn’t the whole story. At moments, the warm aromatic core gives a friendly nod to classic barbershop territory, think Old Spice, Brut, and even the swagger of certain Bay Rums like Clásico or Bastardo. The departure, and the elevation, comes from the more exotic detailing: saffron, cumin, pimento berries (allspice), and black pepper. Those notes add a textured, worldly intrigue that keeps Spice Bot from slipping into familiar, well-trod spice motifs.
The real cleverness, though, may be in what frames the spices above and below. Up top, grapefruit cuts through with a bright, bitter-citrus lift that keeps the opening energetic rather than heavy. Down below, a classic oriental foundation of labdanum, amber, and vanilla provides a resinous, golden warmth, delectable, but not syrupy. In the heart, lavender introduces a soft aromatic polish and a faint powdery bloom, creating that fougère shape without turning the scent into a barbershop pastiche.
And then there’s the masterstroke: tobacco. Used with a measured hand, it brings an earthy warmth and a subtle smokiness that feels quietly luxurious, an echo, in spirit, of the darker richness Phoenix Shaving has explored in scents like Malbolge, but integrated here in a way that feels smoother and more broadly approachable. It’s the note that gives Spice Bot its individuality: less “spice explosion,” more “spiced velvet.”
Spicebomb Extreme is often called a cold-weather king for its fiery intensity. Spice Bot certainly oozes warmth and richness, but it does so with gentlemanly refinement: modern, inviting, and adaptable. It’s the kind of scent you can apply generously before running out the door in sweats, and still feel perfectly at home wearing to an elegant night out. Versatile, always appropriate, and expertly balanced, Spice Bot feels like a new staple in the well-rounded rotation.
Top notes: Grapefruit, pimento berries, black pepper
Heart notes: Lavender, cumin, saffron, warm aromatic spices
Base notes: Tobacco, labdanum, woody, amber, vanilla
Shave Soap
Scent Strength: 6
Longevity: 5
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements’ flagship CK-6 soap base is a vegan formula that founder Douglas Smythe calls the “Mystical Trifecta of Slick.” It blends three Amazonian butters, bacuri, cupuaçu, and murumuru, with shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, and glycerin to create a textured lather reminiscent of dense cottage cheese. The result is a voluminous, high-density lather with exceptional moisturization properties that offer classing-leading density, excellent cushion, high slickness, and rock-solid stability.
Skin Foods (unconfirmed)
Glycerin: humectant which pulls water into the skin, boosts hydration, and supports a plumper feel.
Kokum butter: firm emollient and mild occlusive which softens dry patches and helps reduce moisture loss without feeling greasy.
Shea butter: rich emollient and mild occlusive which nourishes, calms dryness, and supports the skin barrier.
Cupuacu butter: emollient with strong water-binding ability which boosts suppleness, cushions the skin, and helps protect against dehydration.
Jojoba oil: lightweight emollient (wax ester similar to sebum) which softens, helps balance oiliness, and reinforces the barrier without cloggy heaviness.
Bacuri butter: rich emollient which comforts very dry skin, supports barrier repair, and helps improve softness and elasticity.
Murumuru: silky emollient butter which smoothes roughness, reduces transepidermal water loss, and leaves a velvety protective finish.
Aftershave
Scent Strength: 7
Longevity: 6
Skin Foods (unconfirmed)
Aloe vera: light humectant which soothes irritation, calms redness, and supports skin hydration.
Elemi resin: aromatic resin with mild soothing and skin-conditioning properties, often lending a smooth, balsamic feel.
Willow bark extract: gentle exfoliating and clarifying agent (natural salicylates) which helps refine skin texture and calm irritation.
Jerusalem pine resin: aromatic resin which adds a protective, comforting feel and mild skin-conditioning benefits.
Liquid silk (vegan): skin-conditioning polymer which adds slip, smoothness, and a silky afterfeel.
Benzoin resin: aromatic resin and mild occlusive which comforts dry skin, helps reduce moisture loss, and adds a soft, balsamic smoothness.