I’ve never tried Stirling mutton tallow and would like to. Some of the scents seem rather, uhh, polarizing though. Stirling’s own website recommends buying a sample of Electric Sheep first and avoiding Varen entirely if pregnant or suffering from epilepsy. Which scent would be considered the most friendly or unchallenging?
“Safest” Stirling Mutton Scent?
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Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
If you don’t mind a pine scent (some describe it as ‘pine sol floor cleaner-like‘), then this is the safe choice. I personally love them all - bold but brilliant.
Messygoon
Abandoned By Gypsies.
I'm with Dan, who by the way got me hooked on Stirling's mutton soaps. Have tried them all. Scots Pine is my favorite. The scent takes me back to my childhood, when dad would cut lumber on his homemade table saw. The blade was slightly off, which was amusing as he'd complain about how the 2x4's were warped. Measure once, cut twice. Measure twice, cut once.
I've only tried Sheep, Electric Sheep and Scots Pine Sheep.... The Scots Pine isn't my favorite scent in the world, but it's pleasant enough and does a good job of disguising the gameyness without overpowering my nose. Perhaps a sample of one or more might do you best? It's good stuff.
I've tried samples of Glastonbury, Varen and Scots Pine Sheep... Scots Pine Sheep was the only one I bought a tub of and I really enjoy the scent.
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- #6
I may eventually go that route. None of the scent descriptions speak to me but I’ve been pleasantly surprised before.
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
If you might like a 1960’s hippie vibe rock concert, then you’ll dig Glastonbury.
I’ve been badly put off by several of their scents, and find all of them stronger than my preference. Performance is stellar. I got a pine and unscented sampler… mixed them both to tame the pine, and then mixed them with my other tallow scraps in a Frankensoap that’s great.
The bee’s wax also has great reviews
But I’d absolutely start with a sample
The bee’s wax also has great reviews
But I’d absolutely start with a sample
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- #9
For better or worse, I was born in the 80’s and have no frame of reference for that smell. I’ve seen comments here from folks who do remember it and it seems to very much be either a “love it” or “hate it” response
Also for what it’s worth, once I run out of my tallow MWF I’ll replace it with unscented mutton and will sample the beeswax at least
I haven't tried the others, but I like Varen. Neither me nor the wife are pregnant. 
Anymore, the more soaps I try I’ve noticed the scent is really only there during the shave. I feel like if you find a good unscented base that you really like (in this case, maybe just “Sheep”) then spend the money on the aftershaves and fragrances for your post-shave scents, that’s a more effective route if you’re looking for something that sticks with you. I know I’m relatively new to this style of wet shaving, but I’m just noticing the soap scent by itself really doesn’t last beyond the shave. I’m probably going to work through what I currently have and then just start using one unscented base at a time as opposed to spending money on a bunch of different soaps. I really do want to try the Stirling sheep, I hear it’s great stuff! For what it’s worth 
Personally, I'd start with Sheep. The scent isn't much to write home about, but I like it enough. Varen and Glastonbury were both pretty polarizing at first and not in a good way. I let both hang out for awhile in a drawer and came back to give them a sniff every once in awhile. Eventually I came around to at least thinking they're okay.
I’m a big fan of Varen, and used it a bunch when I first got it. For me the fragrance is great and long lasting. Glastonbury is close in scent profile to Varen with added patchouli. I have moved on to other soaps but will line up Varen for tomorrow and remind myself why I liked it so much.
RIP Port au Prince 
I didn't vote because I'm not sure what you mean by "safest" unless you are pregnant or suffer from epilepsy.
I've used Electric Sheep and Glastonbury.
The Electric Sheep performs very well and has an old-school scent, similar to Arko, William's Mug, even Derby...it's lemon and citronella with a bit of menthol. Very nice, and smells better (to me) than those I listed above.
Glastonbury is one of my favorite Stirling scents, but it's not for everyone...or the faint of heart. It is one of the most strongly scented soaps that I've used, from any manufacturer, and predominantly patchouli. If you don't like patchouli (many do not) avoid Glastonbury.
I can't comment on Varen now, but soon...I've got a sample on the way.
I've used Electric Sheep and Glastonbury.
The Electric Sheep performs very well and has an old-school scent, similar to Arko, William's Mug, even Derby...it's lemon and citronella with a bit of menthol. Very nice, and smells better (to me) than those I listed above.
Glastonbury is one of my favorite Stirling scents, but it's not for everyone...or the faint of heart. It is one of the most strongly scented soaps that I've used, from any manufacturer, and predominantly patchouli. If you don't like patchouli (many do not) avoid Glastonbury.
I can't comment on Varen now, but soon...I've got a sample on the way.
The scented soaps are all fairly strongly scented (too much for me). My approach would be to buy the Unscented Sheep and either 1) mix it with a little of another soap that I like with a good scent, or 2) add a small amount of essential oils, such as lemongrass, eucalyptus, menthol, etc., or 3) get used to the unscented soap and use an aftershave you like for scent.
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- #20
There are a few samples headed my way thanks to the very generous @AlphaFrank75. I’ll post my thoughts (and vote in the poll) once they arrive. Thanks AlphaFrank75!
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