St Johns Indian Gold (1963)
by West Indies Bay Company

This is a friendly uncle of a scent, a much loved relative who makes you smile and gives good hugs. This powdery barbershop scent is a perfect addition to St. John’s traditional lineup of men’s fragrances with their tropical, bay rum legacy and iconic basket-covered bottles. This reminds me of Atkinson’s Royal Briar, Royall Muske and Paul Sebastian as well as a number of similar scents from Caswell Massey, Trumpers, etc. only better. Indian Gold is definitely old school but decidedly manly—in fact it is gentlemanly. With bergamot and lavender in the top notes and woody heart notes underpinned by vanilla and musk, this almost seems like something that Guerlain might have put out over the years (a denser Habit Rouge?) but it is unmistakably a scent that would be at home at the fragrance counters of the fine traditional men’s stores that every American town once had and are now a rare commodity. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit could have worn this and Don Draper might have worn this, if he was a nicer person.

Sweet spicy sandalwood that's not cloying. Slightly powdery, in an odd medicinal way like "cheap" drug store shaving cream. Hm. not bad and it's quite warm and comforting. Fans of Rive Gauche pour Homme and the like would enjoy this spicy and light alternative.

A warm, spicy fragrance which I've used for years that i learned about from my brother. This scent I can only describe as a close companion and friend that is there through thick and thin. I think through the years I have only smelled this on one other person and that kind of took away it's personal feel for me. Ive tried some of the best frags from some of the best houses and this one holds it's own on personality alone. Longevity is good but it is hard to find at the major online retailers.