The French aftershave that got a cult following (thanks to a fan boy called JFK)

As far as stamps of approval go, one from the late US President John F Kennedy’s is good to have. That’s what Parisian perfume connoisseur, Albert Fouquet, found out when he first impressed a young JFK with his personalised scent in 1937. The two met while JFK was touring France. John was so taken with the essence that Albert wore, the fragrance-maker decided to leave a sample of the cologne at John’s hotel with the note reading, “In this bottle, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks.”

After he returned to the US, John sent Albert a letter, thanking him for the kind gesture and requesting a further eight samples – and (if Albert’s production allowed) an extra one for Bob. Ever the perfectionist, Albert didn’t fill the order until he had located glass bottles beautiful enough to suit his cologne. He ordered several boxes, decorated with the same pattern as the shirt that JFK was wearing when they met, then labelled the bottles and boxes with John’s amusing request: EIGHT+BOB.

Albert was surprised when, months later, he began receiving letters from America with requests from Hollywood directors, producers, and actors such as Cary Grant and James Stewart – everyone wanted the EIGHT+BOB cologne they’d discovered through John’s father!

Today, the EIGHT+BOB The Original Aftershave is no less sought-after. It’s developed a cult following, thanks to its top notes of pink pepper, cardamom and lemon, heart of violet leaves, labdanum and dried wood, and base of sandalwood, amber and vetiver.

Our hardtofind founder’s husband, Josh, is a long-time fan – and we have it on good authority from Erica that he smells goooood. The EIGHT+BOB range has even expanded to include aftershave balm, deodorant and shower gel in the original scent and a few new scent-sations…