Aqua Velva...

**Neuromancer** · 08-21-2010, 11:15 PM

Just bought a small bottle of Aqua Velva Ice Blue Classic...is it just me or has the scent of this changed over the years...it just doesn't smell like I remember it smelled although it was a very long time ago that I last used it...

**wilsonent** · 08-22-2010, 12:27 AM

Did you buy it in a plastic or glass bottle. Either way, I agree that AV doesn't smell the same to me as I remember it in the 60's. Nevertheless, still one of my all time favorites. Haven't smelled it in the plastic bottle though. It may well be different in that container, without changing the recipe.

Jeff

**Neuromancer** · 08-22-2010, 12:37 AM

Plastic bottle, and the smell from the bottle and on my skin just isn't right...

**PiXmo** · 08-22-2010, 01:16 AM

So, I am not crazy. Thanks.
I remember when I was a (very) young boy my dad were using Aqua Velva. I remember the glass bottle, nicely rounded, with the blue-turquoise color and its nice smell. It was 40 years ago but this smell is really strong in my memory and I am sure the actual Aqua Velva is quite different.

**The Last Chimney** · 08-22-2010, 08:21 AM

I bought one of the old rounded glass bottles from a member here, and the scent is noticeably different. The new AV has a harsh, chemical tang to it that can't be blamed on the plastic bottle alone. I'm bad at describing scents but the old AV is softer and has sort of a woody undertone to it. Definitely more pleasant!

**mdevine** · 08-22-2010, 10:36 AM

I picked up a plastic bottle of the AV Ice Blue. I also pick up a faint chemical smell. It isn't a deal breaker but the scent would be better without it. I prefer Speick to the AV but haven't found a better cheap AS yet. I have yet to check out Barbasol Pacific Rush.

**TheRuckus13** · 08-22-2010, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by The Last Chimney

I bought one of the old rounded glass bottles from a member here, and the scent is noticeably different. The new AV has a harsh, chemical tang to it that can't be blamed on the plastic bottle alone. I'm bad at describing scents but the old AV is softer and has sort of a woody undertone to it. Definitely more pleasant!

Thing is, that tang probably faded away after years and years of sitting.

**Deltaboy** · 08-22-2010, 04:41 PM

My nose doesn't go back that far. I love AV ice blue.!

**The Nid Hog** · 08-22-2010, 07:34 PM

Shades of the Old Spice controversy! To my nose, Aqua Velva smells like I remember from the late 70s. I also think that the glass and plastic bottled AV smells the same--at least for now. I have some of the old amber colored AV, and it does smell different. However, I haven't tried enough vintage stuff to say that it isn't just aging in the bottle that I have.

**RfD Dallas** · 08-23-2010, 07:47 AM

I used it back in the late 60s and early 70s and not again until around 2003. It smells the same to me but I don't recall the "ice blue" addition to the name. I'm sure they're some minute changes to the fragrance. My nose can't remember that far back.

**RfD Dallas** · 08-23-2010, 07:49 AM

Where can I get my hands on the balm?

**Den** · 08-23-2010, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by mdevine

I prefer Speick to the AV but haven't found a better cheap AS yet.

Skin Bracer is right up there with Aqua Velva as far as a cheap quality Aftershave IMO. Much more pleasant smell than Ice Blue to boot.

**Hammer** · 08-23-2010, 10:15 AM

Yup I think the scent has changed since the 70's but might just be my nose.
In case any one is interested I found some vintage AV on the bay item number 270457794803 looks like its from the 80's. I'am not the seller just ran across this listing

Bruce

**40boy** · 08-23-2010, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by RfD Dallas

Where can I get my hands on the balm?

It's still listed as in stock at few Amazon sellers.
I've read it is discontinued, at least in the US.

**Boba Fett** · 08-24-2010, 04:20 PM

This is interesting, since I have heard that scent is one of the strongest things we can link memories to. We even smell more than we taste, which makes some sense from an evolutionary standpoint, but I won't digress or elaborate too much.

I also pick up a chemical smell, from most aftershaves actually, but once it is applied, I think that fades. I have never gotten a negative comment about the aftershaves I wear, and I usually ask for honest opinions. Usually it is coworkers and friends who know I like to wet shave, and would have to put up with it forever if they said they liked the scent just to be nice.

**RfD Dallas** · 08-24-2010, 06:12 PM

It's a very familiar fragrance. It smells like it did back in the 60's. Can I absolutely say it's the same?

Nope!

I'm sure chemicals, dyes, etc. have changed. Who knows if the original might have had carcinogenic properties.

My scent isn't that good.

**masonjarjar** · 08-25-2010, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by RfD Dallas

Where can I get my hands on the balm?

Talking AV Ice Balm? I have one bottle. It is awesome. I wish I'd bought more. But FYI, it doesn't smell anything like AV Ice Blue. I actually like it better. Just a nice, fresh aquatic scent. I'm sure someone has some online. It hasn't been off the shelves for that long, less than a year I think.

**Scott0079** · 08-25-2010, 06:56 PM

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAs7DM6u_Q[/YOUTUBE]

**PlayerPiano** · 08-25-2010, 09:20 PM

As a younger gentleman who has never had the opportunity to smell any of the oldschool aftershaves, even I can say that the plastic bottle AV has some strong chemical undertones, at least to me.

**TheFlyingFrenchman** · 08-25-2010, 09:27 PM

Chemical undertones or not I love my AV. As a 19 year old boy I too have no recollection of earlier incarnations of the scent.
I'm tempted to take my last few glass bottles of Velva, some bottles of Old Spice, and some Williams soap then sealing it for a few decades. Just to see if it changes anything.