BEHIND THE FRAGRANCE
Four Vices was our very first special-edition fragrance, launching back in early 2014. The idea came to me as I thought about what a beardsman’s favorite vices would be.
Coffee, tobacco, cannabis and hops.
Once that was determined, it came the hard part of blending those for notes together to create something unique and memorable. It wasn’t easy, but shortly after launch we knew our customers loved it.
Four Vices was never our “easy” fragrance. I learned the hard way that not all “tobacco” is the same and it depends on where it was grown and harvested as to what the notes were going to be.
A beautifully balanced fragrance became a dirty, earthy fragrance for a period of time. Customers didn’t love that version as much as our launch version.
Through growth, we improved our processes, formulation, and systems to make a version that was reproducible, pleasant, and unique. That Four Vices continued until 2022 when we made the hard decision to slim down our fragrance offering (in hindsight, that was the wrong call).
In 2025, we brought Four Vices back from the grave and internally called it “Zombie” Four Vices as it changed a little bit while it was dead. If you have a keen memory of the previous version of Four Vices you notice the “Zombie” hits you a little softer. The powder top notes don’t hit as harshly with those peppery notes like last one.
After about 15 minutes those top notes evolve and out comes the Four Vices that you’ve known for years.
Four Vices has become a favorite of mine, especially in the pure fragrance. It’s something you can wear year round, is well balanced and not overpowering.
In life, you aren’t loud about your favorite vices and Four Vices is similar to your relationship with your vices – subdued, subtle and complex. That is Four Vices.
But beware because Four Vices can be as addictive as your vices. Once you try it, you may never want another fragrance.
Eric Bandholz
Founder