Crafting Solid Cologne: Scented Secrets Of Bourbon

Creating your own cologne is an advanced and complex art form, but it can be done with a few simple ingredients. To make a bourbon solid cologne, you'll need tobacco, grapeseed oil, grain alcohol, your choice of bourbon, and an atomizer bottle. First, place your tobacco in a container with grapeseed oil and let it sit for an hour or two. The oil will absorb the aroma of the tobacco. Next, fill your atomizer bottle with grain alcohol and your chosen bourbon—the grain alcohol acts as a neutral base, while the bourbon provides the scent. Finally, add a few drops of your tobacco-infused grapeseed oil into the atomizer bottle, shake well, and spritz onto your pulse points to enjoy your new cologne!

Tobacco, grapeseed oil, and bourbon

Creating a solid cologne with tobacco, grapeseed oil, and bourbon can be a fun and rewarding project. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Ingredients and Supplies:

• Tobacco: Choose your favorite tobacco, either a loose blend or extracted from a cigar. You will need about one tablespoon.
• Grapeseed oil: Ensure you have enough grapeseed oil to cover the tobacco in your container.
• Bourbon: Have a small amount of your favorite bourbon on hand to add to the mixture.
• Carrier substance: You'll need a waxy substance to solidify your cologne. Beeswax is a popular choice, but you can also experiment with jojoba, olive, or coconut oil.
• Container: Select a small container to hold your solid cologne, such as a locket, tin, or compact.
• Other equipment: You will also need a spray bottle, a strainer, and a heat-safe bowl or container for melting your wax.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Prepare the tobacco: Gather your chosen tobacco and place it in a container with grapeseed oil. Let this mixture sit for about an hour. The oil will absorb the tobacco's aroma.
• Infuse with bourbon: After the tobacco and grapeseed oil have infused, strain this mixture into a spray bottle containing grain alcohol and add bourbon.
• Create the solid base: In a separate container, melt your chosen carrier substance. Beeswax can be melted over low heat, in a double boiler, or in the microwave. If using an alternative carrier oil, mix it with the melted beeswax.
• Combine the scents: Once your wax or oil base is melted, combine it with the tobacco, grapeseed oil, and bourbon mixture. Stir well to ensure everything is incorporated.
• Pour and set: Carefully pour the final mixture into your chosen container. Allow it to cool and solidify for a few hours.
• Application and storage: Your solid cologne is now ready for use! Apply it to your pulse points (wrists, neck, etc.) by gently rubbing your fingers on the balm. Store your cologne in a cool, dry place, and it should last a long time, even with multiple applications per day.

Tips and Variations:

• Experiment with different types of tobacco and bourbons to find your favorite scent combinations.
• You can also add other essential oils or fragrance oils to create unique, complex aromas.
• If you're making this as a gift, consider decorative containers or lockets that can be easily carried in a pocket or purse.
• Always be cautious when working with hot wax or oil, and avoid inhaling any fumes.

Grain alcohol and whiskey

Grain alcohol, also known as a rectified spirit or neutral spirit, or ethyl alcohol, is a colourless, odourless, and flavourless liquid with a high alcohol content—typically 95% ABV. It is produced by fermenting grains such as barley, corn, or rye, followed by distillation to increase the alcohol content. The distillate is then purified and reduced to the desired strength.

Grain alcohol is not typically consumed on its own due to its harsh aftertaste and extremely high alcohol content. Instead, it is often used as a base in the production of other alcoholic beverages, such as gin, rum, vodka, and liqueurs. It can also be used as a solvent or antiseptic.

When making cologne, grain alcohol is used as a carrier for other fragrances. Its neutral scent and high alcohol content make it an effective solvent for essential oils and other aromatic compounds. A few drops of grain alcohol can be added to a spray bottle to create a simple cologne, or it can be mixed with other ingredients to create a solid cologne.

Whiskey (or whisky) is a distilled spirit made from fermented grain mash, typically aged in wooden containers, usually oak barrels. The type of grain used can vary, including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. Whiskey is produced through a process of grain preparation, fermentation, distillation, and maturation (aging). The first step is to process the grains to convert their starches into fermentable sugars, which is done through malting, milling, and mashing. The resulting liquid, known as wort, is then fermented with yeast, converting the sugars into alcohol. The fermented liquid is then distilled to separate the alcohol from the water, and the distilled spirit is aged in wooden casks to develop its colour and flavour.

Whiskey has a long history, with its origins dating back to the 11th-13th century when distillation techniques spread to Scotland and Ireland through travelling monks. The first written record of whiskey appeared in the Irish Annals of Clonmacnoise in 1405, and records from 1494 indicate that distillation was also taking place in Scotland.

There are various types of whiskey, including bourbon, rye, malt, and corn whiskey, each with its own specific regulations and requirements. For example, bourbon whiskey must be made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred American white oak barrels. On the other hand, corn whiskey does not have to be aged and can be sold as unaged moonshine.

When creating a bourbon-scented cologne, whiskey can be added to the mixture to impart its distinctive aroma. A few drops can be added to the cologne base, or it can be used as a finishing touch to enhance the scent. The woody, oaky notes of whiskey can complement and deepen the fragrance, creating a robust and rugged aroma.

Vermouth and bitters

Bitters, an essential ingredient in many cocktails, were historically used as medicinal concoctions made with herbs and a strong alcoholic base. They add complexity and balance to cocktails with their bitter or bittersweet flavours. Angostura bitters, with their aromatic spice and herb notes, are a popular choice and can be easily found in grocery stores. Other options include Peychauds, which are lighter and more floral, and orange bitters, such as Gary Regan's No. 6. For a unique twist, consider celery bitters or chocolate bitters, which add an unexpected savoury or innovative element to your cologne.

To create a Manhattan-based cologne, combine whiskey and grain alcohol with three drops of vermouth and one drop of orange bitters. This combination captures the liberalism and sexiness of a Manhattan cocktail while evoking the sophisticated scent of bourbon. The result is a rugged, masculine fragrance that can be applied to pulse points for a long-lasting scent.

Mason jar and atomizer bottle

To make a bourbon solid cologne using a Mason jar and an atomizer bottle, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:

• Tobacco (pipe tobacco is recommended for a sharper, smokier scent)
• Grapeseed oil
• Whiskey or bourbon (a single malt Scotch will produce a richer, more complex fragrance)
• Grain alcohol (as a neutral base)
• Peychaud's aromatic bitters (optional, for a spicy-sweet note)
• Mason jar
• Atomizer bottle

• Place a tablespoon of tobacco in the Mason jar. Slowly add grapeseed oil until the tobacco leaves are fully submerged. Let the mixture sit for about an hour or two. The oil will absorb the tobacco's aroma.
• Fill the atomizer bottle with your alcohol base. For a standard cologne, use a ratio of two-thirds parts grain alcohol to one-third part whiskey. If you want a stronger whiskey scent, you can adjust the ratio to be equal parts alcohol and whiskey.
• Once the tobacco oil is infused, strain it with a spoon and add 2-3 drops to the atomizer bottle. A little goes a long way!
• (Optional) Add 1-2 drops of Peychaud's bitters. This will give your cologne a spicy-sweet note reminiscent of a Sazerac cocktail.
• Shake the mixture well. Your bourbon solid cologne is now ready for use! Apply by spritzing each wrist once and then dabbing the sides of your neck.

Note: You can also add a few drops of the tobacco oil to your atomizer bottle before adding the alcohol base if you want a stronger tobacco scent.

Application

The application of solid cologne differs from that of traditional liquid colognes. Solid colognes, such as the Duke Cannon Bourbon Solid Cologne, come in a concentrated balm form. To apply, you simply rub your fingers along the balm and then apply it to your pulse points, such as your wrists and neck. The warmth of your skin will melt the balm, allowing for a precise and controlled application.

The sliding tin packaging of the Duke Cannon Solid Cologne is designed with portability in mind. Its compact size makes it ideal for travel, fitting easily into leather briefcases, gym bags, desk drawers, or pockets. This allows for convenient fragrance touch-ups throughout the day.

The Outlaw Gambler Bourbon Solid Cologne, another popular option, is similarly applied by rubbing your fingers along the wax cologne and then applying it to your pulse points. Its small, poker chip-like size and shape make it convenient to carry in your pocket or bag.

When creating your own solid cologne, the application process may vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. For example, if you create a solid cologne using a mixture of wax and oils, you would apply it by gently rubbing your fingers along the surface of the solid cologne and then dabbing or wiping it onto your wrists and neck.

On the other hand, if you create a semi-solid or creamy consistency using ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil, you may be able to apply it directly to your skin, similar to a deodorant stick. You can also use your fingers to gently scoop out a small amount of the cologne and massage it onto your pulse points.

Experiment with different application methods to find what works best for your homemade solid cologne's consistency and your personal preference.

Frequently asked questions