A Gentleman's Paradise: Zaharoff Tabac Review

 

Good morning, folks! I hope everyone is having a wonderful morning today. It's pretty darn cold here. My heat seems to be failing and it got down into the 40s(Fahrenheit) in my house last night, but I will survive. 

I woke up and decided I needed something warm to give me the illusion that it wasn't so cold. That fragrance was Zaharoff Tabac. I only recently obtained this fragrance. However, I tested it a while back as well, so I am confident in my assessment of the perfume and its character. 

I have been waiting to review this ever since I tested it. Let's get into it!

 
The Notes

Top 

Rum, Cognac, Guatemalan Cardamom, French Lavender, Star Anise, and Indian Davana

Mid

Gold Honey, Indonesian Temple Oud, American Tobacco Leaf, Jamaican Pimento Leaves, and Canadian Fir Balsam

Base

Australian Sandalwood, Plum, Black Amber, Ethiopian Myrrh, and Ethiopian Frankincense 


The Scent

Zaharoff Tabac opens up with a blast of sweet spirits including rum and cognac. A spicy cardamom note can be detected amongst the swirling suavity of the blend. I can pick up the davana that lends a slight fruitiness to the booziness. The main star here is the tobacco. It can be smelled a few seconds after the opening and persists long into the dry down. It's sweet and aromatic and soaks up the sweetness of the liquors. This smells like an expensive cigar and doesn't read as synthetic in the least bit. 

As the heart unfolds, The tobacco persists with the sweetness subsiding a slight bit. The slight earthiness in the tobacco note lets you know that actual tobacco was used here and not tonka. You start to pick up on the balsamic feeling of the myrrh at this point. It almost gives off a Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille vibe because of how the myrrh is used. This fragrance lacks a vanilla note and it doesn't smell like Tobacco Vanille. It just has that same feeling to the nose. 

The base reveals a more woody approach that doesn't feature the buttery sandalwood that other releases do. At least I am not picking up on it. The sandalwood seems to display more of its dry and woody characteristics when it is combined with frankincense. This seems to be one of Zaharoff's favorite bases that was taken from Signature Noire and it's a base that you can't go wrong with. It's woody, warm, and resinous with the cardamom, tobacco, and a hint of the liquors remaining. 


Performance

Zaharoff has never been known to be a slouch when scent strength is spoken of, but this is by far his strongest offering. This fragrance will last you at least 10 hours and it projects heavily for the first 2-3 hours before pushing out moderately and finally becoming a more intimate affair. 

I tested this fragrance with 3 sprays and that was almost too much. Be careful on the trigger with this one. 


When to Wear it

Zaharoff Tabac is a very masculine-leaning fragrance. That's not to say that a woman can't pull it off, but the targeted audience here is certainly of the male persuasion. I would say the fragrance is also for men who are over 30. This isn't a sweet and cloying tobacco fragrance like Herod. This is natural, refined, and classy. 

Tabac would pair well with a sweater/jumper and some khakis. You can pull it off in a suit or jeans and a flannel. I would sweat it with joggers and a hoodie though,. It's a bit too refined and nuanced to fit that vibe. 

Cold weather is where this will shine. It is too rich and resinous for the warmer months, unless it's a cooler spring evening. 


My Opinion

Tabac is Zaharoff's best creation yet. I still think Rose and Signature are close. However, Tabac is much more in my wheelhouse. This smells exactly like a gentleman who enjoys an expensive cigar and even more expensive liquors. It is a man with taste who is classical and modern at the same time.

This fragrance makes me picture a man in a crimson felt robe smoking a cigar and having a drink. A fireplace is roaring nearby and the smell or quality wooden furniture lingers about in the air. This is an atmospheric scent that reimagines a man's place of contemplation and renewal. 

The materials that George uses are absolutely phenomenal for the price. I don't imagine he makes a ton of profit on his fragrances. I know how much some of the ingredients he uses cost. I can tell you that they are not cheap and this is more of a labor of love than a profit-seeking endeavor. That can be said for all of Zaharoff's line though. Real rose isn't cheap at all. Look at the prices of natural rose fragrances compared to Signature Rose and you will understand what I mean. 

Samples are readily available for this fragrance. This is not a standard tobacco fragrance, so I would encourage sampling it. I know my tastes are somewhat peculiar at times, so don't just take my word for it. Sample it and see if it's for you. We are so used to things like Herod and Pure Havane that I am unsure if people know what tobacco smells like(outside of cigar aficionados, which I am not). I did see that Zaharoff sent out a few cigars with some orders. I saw that George posted that they were expanding into the cigar and spirits business as well, so I am excited about that. I am not much of a smoker, but I would be willing to try it as a treat. Lord knows we all need a treat after these past few years...


I still have my GoFundMe up if anyone is interested. Do not feel obligated to donate. I explain everything in the post. Words of support are more than enough. Thank you! Link

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Effortlessly Amazing: Carthusia Uomo Review

 

Hey folks! I hope everyone is having a lovely day today! I am super excited to bring you this Carthusia Uomo today. If you enjoy Italian fragrances, then this is one you want to check out. 

Before I begin, I must be transparent and tell you that this is a sponsored article by Mozzafiato. They are an Italian luxury store that sells some fragrances that are somewhat difficult to find in the US. They also have shaving accessories, soaps, and a lot of different products to make you smell good. I do have a personal discount code for you: MUSINGS(make sure to type it in all caps!). I do get a small kickback if you use this link to purchase anything. This has no impact on my review of this fragrance. 

I usually don't do sponsored articles. However, a friend linked me up with the owner and I looked over their site and listened to his reviews of the store and I was sold. I wouldn't do a sponsored article if it wasn't a brand I believed in. Anyone who has followed me for any length of time knows that I absolutely adore Italian fragrances and how they do citruses. You folks also know how I love helping smaller brands out and Mozzafiato falls under that umbrella.

Now that that is out of the way, let's get into it!


The Notes

Top 

Lemon, Bergamot, Freesia, and Green Leaves

Mid 

Geranium, Cedar, Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine, and Patchouli

Base

Musk, Amber, Oakmoss, and Sandalwood 

The Scent

When we think about an Italian fragrance, what do we think of? For myself, I think of bergamot and clean freshness. Carthusia Uomo opens up with a melange of petitgrain-esque freshness. Citrus-laced green leaves with an aquatic freesia and a hint of fresh rosy geranium. Basically, this smells like you are in Italy by the seaside, sans the saltiness. It's fresh, vibrant, and aquatic. 

As the heart starts to develop, you start picking up on a slightly spiced cedar and more of that aforementioned rosy geranium. Soapy jasmine and clean white musk follow to give the geranium the clean edge that it needs. The notes from the top still linger, but this perfume is masterfully blended and the notes all meld seamlessly with one another. None of them attempt to upstage the others.

As the base starts to shine, you get a bit of clean oakmoss which makes this fragrance lean almost in a fougere direction. The freshness from the top is still there. You would think that it would die down, but it doesn't. An almost leathery nuance shows up. It's soft, clean, and beautifully crafted., The fragrance finishes with a warming blanket of cashmeran. 


Performance

Italian fragrances typically aren't known to be very long-lasting. This one breaks that mold. This is not a forceful fragrance and it comes off as very gentlemanly. It's not one that is going to fill a room, but people will smell it on you. I get around 9 hours on skin with this. The projection is quite mild which is to be expected with the note breakdown.

It's cooler here now, so maybe in the warmer months it will last longer and be a little more aggressive, but I doubt it considering the genre of fragrance that it is. These gentlemanly scents are rarely overbearing, like a gentleman himself is. 

Let it be noted that I only wore 3 sprays of this perfume while testing. Overspraying this will make it too forceful and ruin the charm that the fragrance is trying to convey. 

How to Wear it

This perfume is meant for a discerning man. A man who has a career, but still comes home to play with the kids and helps his wife. It's classy, elegant, but also casual. It's quite versatile. You can pull this off with a T-shirt and shorts or a lightly colored suit at the office. This is a fragrance that Bleu de Chanel wishes it could be...and I like Bleu de Chanel. 

This fragrance does lean masculine, but I could see a woman pulling it off as well. I wouldn't call it unisex, but I wouldn't say it's in the genre of completely masculine either.

This is probably best suited for men over 30. While it does have some playfulness in it with the aquatic nuances, I think it leans a little more mature than a college-age person would want. The composition is classic, but it's made with modern ingredients and doesn't smell "old" at all. 

Spring and summer are probably the best time of the year to wear Carthusia Uomo, but I am sitting here wearing it in 50F temperatures and it still works beautifully.




My Opinion

This fragrance is simply beautiful to me. It's versatile enough that I can wear it all year long. The way the blend comes off so effortlessly smooth and there are so many little nuances at play makes it smell much more expensive than it actually is. This fragrance is only $84 for 50ml and that blows my mind for the quality you get here. It might sound like a lot to some, but this is 100% worth it. Plus, you get 10 bucks off with my code, which makes it even better. I promise that I am not just saying this because it's sponsored. Look at the reviews on Fragrantica or Base Notes. This is a gem that hardly anyone knows about. 

This makes me dream of an Italian summer by the seaside, drinking some lemonade while watching the waves crash while the birds sing their song of summer. It just hits some sort of euphoric happiness in me. A place of bliss and peace, which is something I honestly needed after this year.

Carthusia Uomo is a breathtakingly realistic adventure into the core of Italian perfumery. Carefree yet still dressed up would be my description of the perfume. It's just simply amazing what gems you can find when you aren't even looking. 


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my review of Carthusia Uomo. It was an absolute delight to test this one out. This one will get some heavy wearing during spring and summer, even though I am wearing it in autumn as well. 

I appreciate all of your support and don't forget to say a kind word to someone today. You never know who you might help. You might just keep someone from the brink of darkness with one kind word. Use it well and often. 

Until next time, I wish everyone good health and happy times. Smell amazing and be amazing!
 

Buy Carthusia Uomo Here(DOn't forget to use MUSINGS for $10 off)

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Warm and Cozy: Pasha de Cartier Parfum Review

 

Hey, folks! I am sorry that it's been so long since I have done a review. I keep saying I will do more, but life keeps getting in the way. As some of you know, my grandmother passed away in June. My mother broke her hip, then she caught COVID, and now she is in a nursing home. It's been a rough year, but I am trying to pump out some more reviews now. I have quite a lot to go over. 

I have had Pasha de Cartier Parfum for a while now and I have had time to fully explore it. I am excited about this one. Let's get into it!


The Vibes

A gentleman sits in his recliner with an amber-colored drink in his hand. It's a cool winter night and the fireplace is roaring. He is a man of taste and refinement, but he is also a modern man, but he enjoys a few classic things as well. He is well-spoken and confident, but not arrogant. 

His home speaks of classic tastes, but with modern edges to it. The old reliable recliner is a relic of the past, while the fireplace is cold and austere on the outside, while still giving that warm glow that feels like a hearth. A perfect combination of classic values with new world ideas. 

The Notes

Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli, and Balsamic Notes


The Scent

Pasha de Cartier Parfum opens up in an enveloping mist of ambery booziness. It's a very cozy feel, akin to sitting by a fireplace to me. It just has a feeling of contention about it, while still retaining something slightly powdery from the original Pasha de Cartier. This allows the fragrance to be slightly clean, but not soapy in any way. 

As the heart emerges, a beautiful warm and creamy sandalwood because the focal point of the composition. This is one of the best sandalwood fragrances I have smelled. Even though it is synthetic, it doesn't read as cheap or rough. An ever so slightly dark and woody patchouli is noticeable as well. It's probably there to light the woodiness of the sandalwood.
 
In the dry down, it's mostly a creamy sandalwood and amber scent, but it retains that ever so slight powdered feel, which I think might be lavender and not a powdered amber. I think the amber is what gives this fragrance the boozy and warm feel, but I could be wrong. The original Pasha has lavender and I believe it is the same in this one, but it's not listed. 
 

My Opinion

This is a remarkable release. Cartier is a very underrated and dependable house. This fragrance speaks volumes about Cartier's ability to understand their market and to bring it into the modern era while still retaining its roots. 

This is a very long-lasting fragrance. I am clocking in at around 9-10 hours total with it. It has heavy projection for the first 2 1/2 hours, so I suggest only going 1-2 sprays with it. 

Pasha de Cartier Parfum is a very masculine release, but of course, women can wear it. It's best suited for cold days. It's a very rich smelling fragrance and it's not suited for warmer days. It's probably best suited for men over 30. This is a luxury fragrance and should be dressed up. This is not a hoodie and jeans scent. This is a statement about class and taste when you are at least slightly dressed up. 

I wouldn't label this as a masterpiece, but it would toe that line for me. It's 100% worth $120 to me. Cartier does it time and time again. They release fragrances that blow me away for their price. The quality and attention to detail from their watchmaking has certainly traverses into their perfume selections.


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my review of Pasha de Cartier Parfum. Remember that this is just my opinion and you should always sample any fragrance I suggest before purchasing. My nose and tastes are not the same as yours.

I did make a GoFundMe if you want to help out during these times. I don't like asking for money, but people told me to start one. Don't feel obligated to donate. Words of support mean enough to me. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening and don't forget to say a kind word to someone today. You never know when it can bring someone back from the brink. 

Keep being kind and always smell amazing. Until next time, take care!


GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/johns-costs

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A Rosy Affair: Zaharoff Signature Rosé Review

 

Good evening! I hope everyone has been doing wonderful lately. I have so many new things to review for you folks, but I didn't know where to start! I decided to go with Signature Rose because people have been asking me what my take is on it. I have also had a travel spray of it for a while, so I have been able to fully test the scent out. 

Now for the disclaimer, I am friends with George. I am a big fan of him. However, I did purchase this bottle with my own money for the preorder price of $125. I have attached a screenshot as proof. My friendship with George doesn't change my opinion of this fragrance. After all, I thought it was good enough to purchase for myself. 

So...with all of that out of the way, let's get into it!


The Vibe

Roses are arguably the most legendary flower in existence. Many cultures believed that the rose symbolized something important. Everything from a yellow rose to a dark red one, people have always been fascinated with this sacred flower.

In perfumery, rose is often romanticized into a sultry mix of dark exotic woods to show off the rose's ability to be seductive. Sometimes it is paired with lighter florals with its green lemony zest and soapy nuances. Rose is such a diverse note, but real rose comes at a hefty price. They say that 1ml of rose oil requires 3 liters of rose petals. Now a single rose isn't overly expensive, but when you need to strip a rose of its petals to make 3 liters of oil, that is a lot of roses. This is why real rose oils are so pricey. It takes quite a few roses to make a single fragrance. Anyone who tells you that you can make a natural rose fragrance for 10 USD is lying to you and has no idea about what they are saying.

So, what is it about roses that make us want to pay their steep prices? Well, roses just smell that good, obviously. They add a layer of intimacy, wealth, and sophistication, Just like the stoic rose blooms for the world to see its beauty and inhale its essence, so does the person who enjoys rose. It's a smell that almost all humans can recognize and it's telling of who you are. Rose has as much class as the people who enjoy them, mostly.


Notes

Top 

Turkish Rose 
Bulgarian Rose Otto

Mid

Gold Amber
Jasmine 
Red Peony 
Bulgarian Rose

Base 

Australian Sandalwood 
Madagascar Vanilla Bean 
Sugar Cane 
Chinese Oud 
Myrhh
Frankincense 


The Scent

Signature Rose opens up with a rich honeyed raspberry-tinged rose with a lemony green rose underneath it. It plays on a slight citric vibe with a sweet rich rose to bolster it. Despite the sweetness of the Bulgarian rose, this is not sickening or cloying because it's real rose. Real rose doesn't become overbearing even when it's sweet. It's just a beautiful honeyed rose to me. 

When it starts to dry down, you start getting some of the resins. The frankincense gives a very slight whiff of smoke. It's so slight that you could miss it if you weren't looking for it. Sweet and effortlessly spicy myrrh mingles with a rich vanilla note. This could be the amber as well. I am not entirely sure on that one.

I am not entirely sure what sugar cane smells like. There is some sweetness in here that I don't attribute to the rose or amber/vanilla, so I am guessing that it's coming from the sugar cane. You also give a very faint whiff of the buttery sandalwood that Zaharoff loves to use in his creations.

Like most of the other Zaharoff fragrances, I do not pick up the oud. I am not sure if I am just not familiar with Chinese oud or that he uses it in small amounts and I can't detect it.  


My Opinion

Zaharoff Signature Rose is my favorite Zaharoff thus far. It's rich, complex, yet versatile enough to wear in the heat. I do think it's better for cooler weather though. The sweetness of the rose reminds me a little bit of the Declaration D'un Soir's rose. It's not completely like that, but a minor similarity. It doesn't smell like the Cartier, but if you like the Cartier, then you will probably enjoy this one as well. 

George has taken a note that can be difficult to make unisex and made it super versatile and wearable by anyone. I love this and I see the care that George put into selecting the ingredients for this one and pairing it with his popular Signature Noire base. 

This is also a fragrance that lasts 10 hours on me. So, don't overspray this one. It's much stronger than you might think it is. 

This one is well worth even the $145 price tag to me, but I still suggest sampling it first. If you don't like Rose, then you won't like this. It is very rose dominant. 


Conclusion

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening. Remember to say something positive to someone today. You never know how much one kind word can help someone. Be the change that you want to see. 

Much love to all of you. Until next time, keep smelling great and being great


Buy Signature Rose here

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The Night Life: City Rhythm Manhattan Review

 

Photo Credit: Niles Ramadhin

Hello! I apologize for being absent for the last month. I have been quite busy lately. I meant to get this review out last week, but my grandmother passed away, so I didn't feel motivated to write anything. I have quite a few things to review. I just have to find time to do it. 

Some of you have probably seen this brand floating around Facebook recently. It's called City Rhythm and it's a small house headed up by Niles Ramadhin that is making scents inspired by major cities. So far, he only has the one I will be covering, Manhattan. He posted that he will be releasing one called Miami soon, which will be a more tropical fragrance from the looks of it. I am not sure if he will just be doing American cities or he will be branching out to other locations around the world. 

Niles did send me a sample for free. I have spoken with him a bit over the past few weeks and he's a nice guy. I am not close friends with him and I get nothing out of this review. It's not sponsored by him. I simply got a sample of it from him. My opinion still remains my own and always will be.

Without further adieu, let's get into this!


The Notes

Top

Bergamot, Cinnamon, and Violet Leaf 

Mid

Tea, Incense, and Labdanum

Base

Tobacco, Vanilla, Cedar, Vetiver


The Vibe

You never know what you will find in the city at night. You could find adventure, turmoil, or even love. That is part of what makes people flock to the city. There are so many things to do and so many mysteries.

Skylines from around the world have always been a vivid fascination of mine. I actually have some photos in my house of them. Tokyo, Seattle, Beijing, Manila, Dubai...They all hold their own cultural uniqueness. A tribute to the people who choose to call these places home. The darkened sky is illuminated by the liveliness of those denizens themselves. The very image of moving, even when captured by a still image. It's similar to the joy of a child seeing a Christmas tree light up. I still love Christmas trees. I am not sure if that is because I never grew up or my "manly side" says, "look! Something shiny!". Regardless, they hold a fascination for me similar to that of the colorful lights that pain each skyline. 

What wonders do these brightly lit wonders hold? Passion, joy, fun, mystery, and intrigue. This is what Manhattan captures for us. While it might not specifically be only for Manhattan(which is in New York, if anyone didn't know), it captures the romance of those skylines and the intrigue they hold. 


The Scent

Manhattan opens with some sweet bergamot and warm cinnamon. Some ambery hues of labdanum peek forth shortly after. It's an early arrival to the main show that begins around 20 minutes after application. 

When the heart comes out, you pick up what I interpret as a malty black tea note that melds into the cinnamon and the slight bit of sweet bergamot that is left over. The incense emerges as a sweeter and drier variety. I don't detect smoky nuances in it. Cherried tobacco with vanilla then comes forth to steal the show. It brings up an image of Parfum de Marly's Herod, but less aggressive and not cloyingly sweet. This is a more realistic tobacco note that combining with the tea for an interesting and luxurious accord, malted cherry tobacco.

The base brings out some smooth and slightly peppered cedar, while the tobacco, vanilla, cinnamon, and tea hold on to form the general vibe of this fragrance throughout most of its life. The tea eventually fades and you are left with tobacco, vanilla, and cedar scent. 


My Opinion

I have seen a few people hyping this up as the greatest thing ever. I  don't agree with that. However, I do agree that this is an excellent fragrance. I will be purchasing a full bottle here soon. Yes, I will be purchasing it. it will not be given to me.

The allure of this fragrance for me is that it smells like what Herod should have been. To me, Herod is a sweet and cloying mess. This fragrance has some sweetness, but it's not aggressive or overstated. It's well-mannered and classy. What makes this fragrance for me is that tea note in the heart. I am a big fan of tea and oftentimes it's used very poorly in fragrances. This is not one of those times. It creates an intriguing accord with the tobacco. 

This is a gentleman in a suit fragrance, but that doesn't mean you have to wear a suit with it. You can dress it down or up. It would be best for the cooler weather though. This fragrance does lean masculine to me, but a woman might be able to pull it off. Wear what you want.

People always ask me about the performance of fragrances, so I will start covering it again. This isn't as loud as Herod. It's not going to reach the heavens with projection. It's more of a gentlemanly scent, as I stated before. People will smell this on you for a good 2-3 hours after application, but the fragrance is softer. I like that and think it's part of its charm. The total time it was lasting on my skin was 8-9 hours. 

The only thing I will knock off from the fragrance is that it is somewhat sticky on your skin. It's not a big deal for me, but I know some people don't like that. I just had to mention it. 


Conclusion

I am excited to see Niles' next release, as this one is quite good for the price of 55 USD for 30ml(link below). He sells samples as well, which I will also link below. I do suggest sampling this one if you are a tobacco fan. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of your day. Be amazing, kind, and spread the love. Remember that kind words are free. You never know how much you can help someone by just being nice to them. 

Keep smelling great and being great. Until next time, be safe. 


Buy Manhattan samples

Buy a bottle of Manhattan

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My Top 10 Fragrances for Christmas

 

Photo by Gantas Vaičiulėnas from Pexels

Season's greetings! I hope everyone is in a joyful and festive holiday mood this year. I know this year has been rough, but we are still here...That is always something to be thankful for. Christmas is still Christmas, even if it's a bit different this year.

I usually don't do top 10s, but I love Christmas. The whole season is just my thing. Christmas lights, snow(which we have a lack of here), cold weather, hot chocolate, decorations, and everything else. I just love the aura that the holiday season creates. 

I could probably write 50 paragraphs on why I love Christmas, but that is not what you are here for! So, here is my list of my favorite fragrances for Christmas. Enjoy!

Note: I have no sponsors or affiliations. Any links you see posted in this article do nothing for me. I simply tried to find you the best price on the fragrance.

Warning: This article does contain a reference or two to the Bible and the Christian side of Christmas. If that offends you, then please do not continue.


10. Amouage Interlude

Main Notes: Oregano, Opoponax, Frankincense, Agarwood Smoke, Amber, and Leather

Longevity: Very long-lasting(12+ hours)

Sillage: Massive for the first 5 hours

Projection: Massive for the first 4 hours, but it doesn't settle into a skin scent until around 9-10 hours in.

Value: Quite expensive, but worth it. 

Purchase Link: Interlude


Amouage Interlude Man is one of the strongest fragrances on the market, even after it was reformulated. This smoky middle eastern bomb is a one spray fragrance for me. So, you may be asking how such a powerful fragrance makes it on my list. After all, you don't want to scare your family off for Christmas. Well, some of you might want to in order to dip into Santa's cookie jar, but most of us don't.

Interlude Man made my list because it's a relatively warm fragrance. The smokiness is from and center with a smoky and resinous sweet amber dry down. It's quite aggressive for the first two hours under the amber comes out and it mellows out into a more pleasant fragrance. The smokiness and resins just make me think of Christmas, like a fireplace burning with sweet and loving times with family. Not to mention, frankincense was a gift that the wise men gave to baby Jesus. 


9. Burberry London

Main Notes: Tobacco, Cinnamon, and Leather

Longevity: Moderate(5-6 hours)

Sillage: Moderate for the first 3 hours

Projection: Moderate for 1 hour and soft for the rest of its life

Value: Very good value for its inexpensive price

Purchase Link: London


Burberry London seems to make almost everyone's list. A staple in every gentleman's collection, Burberry London smells of sweet pipe tobacco and port wine. Sometimes it can come off a bit piney like a Christmas tree or wet leaves in the fall. It seems to have the ability to harken up memories in people and that explains the love for this fragrance. 

I wore London for Thanksgiving this year, but I don't rate it as highly as I used to, but it's still a very solid tobacco fragrance. Many people complain about the performance, but I think 6 hours is fine.


8. 4160 Tuesdays Shazam!

Source

Main Notes: Cedar, Olibanum, Frankincense, Cacao, Amber, and Cardamom

Longevity: Good(8+ hours)

Sillage: Strong for the first 3 hours.

Projection: Strong for 2 hours, then it gradually becomes a skin scent by the 6th hour.

Value: Very fairly priced for what you get. 

Purchase Link: Shazam!


4160 Tuesdays was a company that surprised me with Sarah McCartney's sheer wit and creative approach to gourmand fragrances. Although she does far more than that, it seems to be her forte. 

Shazam is a rich smoky and spicy fragrance that is cozy like a turtleneck sweater on a chilly night. Warm ambery facets join sweet balsamic cedar and smoky frankincense with a hint of aromatic citrus to keep it interesting. There is also a faint cacao note in the dry down that completes the imagery of sitting by a fireplace, in a cedar cabin, with a cup of hot chocolate. I will probably get a bottle of this when fall rolls around next year. It's an absolute delight to wear. 


7. Gallagher Rose All Dae

Source

Main Notes: Apple Crisp, Brown Sugar, Honey, Plum, and Stainless Steel

Longevity: Massive(12+ hours)

Sillage: Massive for around 4 hours

Projection: Very strong for around 4 hours

Value: Decent for the quality that you get. 

Purchase Link: Rose All Dae


I honestly wanted to put Carpe Cafe on here because it's more like Christmas to me, but that is sadly discontinued and difficult to find now. I don't like putting discontinued fragrances on my lists, so I think this is the second-best one. 

Rose All Dae is a rich and creative gourmand. I am not a huge gourmand lover, but I thoroughly enjoy this one and hold to my original statement when I reviewed it...This is a masterpiece. Dried apples, plum, stainless steel, honey, and brown sugar combine to create a realistic experience of a holiday dessert fresh out of the oven that was baked in a steel pan. It's very atmospheric to me and a very well crafted blend.

Rose All Dae is a very powerful fragrance. I suggest no more than 2 sprays or you might be cooking your own Christmas dinner...or ordering takeout. Don't say I didn't warn you. 


6. Amouage Jubilation XXV

Main Notes: Blackberry, Honey, Oud, Myrrh, Frankincense, and Opoponax 

Longevity: Very good (9-10 hours)

Sillage: Solid for the first 6 hours

Projection: Strong for the first 3 hours

Value: Expensive, but you get what you pay for here.

Purchase Link: JXXV

Amouage's Jubilation XXV(JXXV for short) is a masterful blend of expensive ingredients. It's inspired by many of the ingredients that were part of the trade routes in the middle east.

JXXV is a very expensive and opulent fragrance and the ingredients show this. Oud, honey, frankincense, and myrrh combine to create a very woody and resinous fragrance with an underlying dark sweetness. It's supposedly blackberry, but I cannot directly identify it as a blackberry note. 

The reason it's on this list is because of the ingredients. Myrrh and frankincense were both given to baby Jesus as gifts. Considering those are two of the strongest notes in this fragrance, it makes this one suitable for Christmas to me. Along with the luxurious aura that this fragrance gives you, this is perfect for an upscale Christmas.


5. Al-Rehab Choco Musk 

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Main Notes: Chocolate, Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Cinnamon

Longevity: Very good (10+ hours)

Sillage: Decent for around 6 hours

Projection: Moderate for 3 hours before it becomes soft for the rest of its life.

Value: Almost unbeatable

Purchase Link: Choco Musk (I have purchased from this seller before)


Al-Rehab Choco Musk is by far the cheapest on this list. Coming in at $6 for a 6ml perfume oil or around 10-12 bucks for a perfume spray. That means this one costs you as much as a burger. I know what you are thinking...how can something so cheap be good? Well, it is. I didn't believe it at first either. 


Choco Musk smells exactly like a creamy hot chocolate to me. It's obviously synthetic, but so are the packets of hot chocolate that you buy. If this was actually realistic, then it wouldn't smell nearly as good as it does, in my opinion. The one time where I can say that I am glad something is synthetic...


4. Serge Lutens Five O'Clock au Gingembre 

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Main Notes: Ginger, Cinnamon, Black Tea, Pepper, and Amber

Longevity: Moderate (6-8 hours)

Sillage: Acceptable, but soft for the first 4 hours

Projection: Moderate for the first 2 hours

Value: Very good if you get it from discounters. 

Purchase Link: Gingembre


Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Gingembre is a fragrance inspired by a chai tea. It features some of the main ingredients in a chai tea such as black tea, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper. However, I do not think this is an amazing copy of a chai tea scent due to them not using cloves. Regardless, this is still a warm and spicy fragrance with some woodiness and sweetness. 

This fragrance has a strong black pepper note to my nose, therefore I go a bit noseblind to it. strong black pepper usually does this to me. The ginger is warm and slightly sweetened by cinnamon and a spicy amber accord. There is a vague woodiness that flows underneath that, but it's so light that I can't really detect what sort of wood was used. I also detect an ever so slight licorice vibe, which leads me to believe that fennel was also used. That makes total sense since fennel is a common ingredient in chai tea.

Serge Lutens created a warm and spicy fragrance that is cozy and sweet. It's very nice and that is why it's so high on my list. However, I don't think this smells like a true chai tea. I could just be picky though since I am somewhat of a tea snob.


3. Happyland Homme for the Holidays 

Main Notes: Coffee, Vetiver, Maple, Amber, Nutmeg, Cardamom, and Cinnamon

Longevity: Strong(9-10 hours)

Sillage: Huge for around 4 hours, then it gets a bit softer

Projection: Very strong for around 3 hours

Value: Great value

Purchase Link: Homme for the Holidays


My favorite fragrance from Happyland is a tie between Homme for the Holidays and Signature. Both could be used for the holidays, but this one edges Signature out in that category. Happyland is one of my go-to brands when I want something strong and this one doesn't disappoint.

Homme for the Holidays is an eye-opening blend of strong black coffee and warm spices with a bit of amber and maple to sweeten it up. It has a nutty feel to it as well, which I am not sure if that is coming from the vetiver or nutmeg. It could be both. Regardless, this is a powerful Christmas fragrance that is sure to bring a bit of cheer to your season.


2. Parfums de Marly Oajan

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Main Notes: Cinnamon, Benzoin, Amber, Honey, Osmanthus, and Vanilla 

Longevity: Very strong (10+ hours)

Sillage: Massive for around 4 hours

Projection: Massive for around 3 hours

Value: Expensive

Purchase Link: Oajan


I know I have done my fair share of hating on Parfums de marly, but the house has really grown on me. Their fragrances are somewhat simple but have a likable charm to them. I wouldn't say I am a huge Parfums de Marly fan yet, but I do enjoy Oajan quite a bit.

Oajan is a warm spicy cinnamon fragrance with ambery and vanillic facets to it along with a fruity osmanthus note. The result is something a little bit like apple pie. It's a warm and cozy fragrance for the holiday season. It's quite perfect for a warm fragrance when you have to go out into the blistering cold. It will certainly cut through that cold air and snow. It's a very powerful and pleasant fragrance. As much as I enjoy this one, I do think it's still a bit overpriced.


1. Penhaligon's LP No 9 for Men

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Main Notes: Clove, Amber, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Vanilla

Longevity: Good(8 hours)

Sillage: Moderate for the first 4 hours

Projection: Slightly strong for the first 2 hours

Value: Good value at discounters

Purchase Link: LP No 9


Penhaligon's LP No 9 is my reigning MVP for Christmas. It was on top of my list last year(I don't recall if I did a Christmas list last year. It might have been the year before...). This is the spiciest I have in my collection. Shockingly, no one talks about this one and I don't know why. 


The dominant notes of clove and cinnamon here create a perfect fragrance reminiscent of Christmas. Vaguely sweet amber and vanilla mix with the warm spices to make something very comforting and cozy, like a hot apple cider on a cold and snowy day. There is also a hint of sweet rosewood in here. I get a slight licorice vibe in this one too, which I am assuming is anise. 

LP No 9 is one of the most underrated fragrances in the fragrance community, in my opinion. I will continue to give it the limelight that it deserves until people catch on. I think this might be the third year in a row that is made my Christmas list. That has to count for something, right? 


Conclusion

I hope you all enjoyed my Christmas list this year. It took me a lot of time to make this one. Remember, no matter how good I made these fragrances sound...Please sample first! Your nose is not my nose and I care about your wallet. I want you to discover great fragrances, but I don't want you to spend a lot of money on a blind buy that I love. You may not like it.

I just want to thank all of you who have supported me this year. Everything from the kind words to the samples/bottles you have sent me. It means a lot to me and I very much appreciate the support people have given me. Honestly, if it wasn't for the people I would have quit this year. It hasn't been the easiest year, but the generosity of some people and their encouragement has kept me grounded and in the game.

I know some of you have said that I had an impact on you this year and it makes me happy to touch so many lives. However, I also want you to know that you have touched mine in return. This blog was never about becoming famous or earning an income. I have never taken a dime from any fragrance company. I have had a few donations from some generous readers though. Outside of that, I haven't made anything. This blog always has been about people and always will be. This isn't just a blog to hype up everything I get my hands on. It's to show my passion for people and perfume. The reason why I say this is because you folk shave constantly reignited that fire when it was burning out. I am forever grateful to you for blessing my life and keeping me on the right track. I wish I was able to buy my readers gifts or do a giveaway, but I cannot afford it. Hopefully next year I can. For now, I just want you to know you have my utmost gratitude for helping me. 

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I do hope that it's a great ay for everyone. Remember to say kinds words and check in on people. You never know who is struggling. This has been a tough year for most of us and the holiday season can be the worst for some folks. A kind word is free. You never know how one act of kindness can bring someone back from despair. My inbox is always open if you need someone to talk to as well. I will leave my Facebook down below. Much love to all of you. I hope to put out something else before the new year, but no promises! If I don't, then I also wish you a new and prosperous year. The only way to go forward is from here.


Feel free to connect with me! My Facebook

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My Favorite Leather: Thameen Regent Leather Review

 

Season's greetings! I hope everyone is doing well today. I hope everyone is in good holiday spirits this year, despite how rough this year has been for many of us. Hopefully, we can still remember the good things about this time of the year and not the things that we are unable to do. I am determined to make this a good holiday season either way. 

This will be the first time I have reviewed a fragrance from Thameen, despite the company being pretty impressive to me. Regent Leather is the one I will be covering today. A friend of mine gave this to me as a gift. This friend has no affiliation with any fragrance brands or retailers. It was simply a gift from him with no strings attached. I have a few more that I would like to get from Thameen at some point. They are a very underrated house. 

Without further ado, let's get into it!


The Presentation

Regent Leather comes in a cobalt blue bottle with gold trimming on the front. The gold square on the front is unique to this particular fragrance. The brand's insignia, name, and the fragrance's name are presented in gold as well. 

The cap is solidly built and textured. I am not sure what material they are made out of, but it's nice. The Thameeen insignia is again presented as a gold stamp at the top, The cap is magnetic as well. 

The atomizer and atomizer collar are gold. The atomizer sprays a huge puff of fragrance with each spray. It's similar to a Dior Atomizer, but not quite as good.

The presentation is fitting for the image that this brand holds as a luxury brand. The small details and quality are clearly seen with the care they have designed their bottles with. It's a somewhat simple design, but it exudes class. 


The Notes

Top 

Lemon

Heart 

Jasmine, Saffron, Cardamom, and Rose 

Base

Patchouli, Cedar, Vanilla, Musk, and Labdanum


The Story

What is luxury? People seem to have differing opinions on it. That is to be expected, given how different our tastes are. It's a never-ending debate, as it seems that many things are these days... 

To someone like myself, luxury is a man in a tailored suit driving a luxury European car. I don't mean a Ferrari or Lamborghini. I honestly don't see the need for cars like that. Don't hate me, it's just my opinion. I am speaking about a luxury sedan(4 doors) or a coupe(2 doors). Something from Bentley, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, BMW, or Aston Martin. I know that some of you might cringe at some of those brands, but I think they all embody it in their own way. 

The man who drives this is also a gentleman. He is kind and warm, rather than a shrewd businessman. He remembers where he came from and he doesn't gloat about his bank account. He has a taste for the finer things, but never spends beyond his means. That is what true luxury is to me. This could also go for a woman, but I used a man as an illustration because I am a man. 


The Scent

Thameen Regent Leather opens up with rich vanilla mixing with warm cardamom. The vanilla isn't gourmand here. The opening is beautiful, luxurious, and warm. It draws you in from your first breath until the last.

As the heart opens up, Regent Leather shows that its leather is more of a softly sueded variety coming from the saffron. The sweetness of the saffron plays beautifully with the vanilla and cardamom creating a rich and cozy accord that makes you want to wrap yourself up in it. 

As the fragrance progresses to the base, the vanilla, suede, and cardamom are still the most prominent. However, smooth and dark patchouli with woody cedar join in to create a solid base for this fragrance to rest upon.

Overall, what you get is a rich vanilla and cardamom dominant fragrance with a noticeable soft suede underneath. Those notes are then met by smooth woods that are not as detectable but give body to the other notes.


The Other Stuff

Regent Leather is a solid performer. I get a solid 9-10 hours with around 3 of good projection before it softly radiates a few inches above the skin for the majority of its life. Around the 8 hour mark, it becomes a complete skin scent. It leaves a nice sillage trail for around 8 hours at well.  

This fragrance leans slightly masculine to me. It's not so masculine that a woman couldn't wear it though. It is great for either gender. 

This fragrance is rich and luxurious. I don't think casual clothes are fitting for it. At least wear a collared shirt or sweater with it. This isn't a hoodie fragrance. This is a fragrance that makes you smell like you have your stuff together. For that reason, I would say this fragrance is 25+ and for working professionals. Regent Leather also has a sexiness to it with the vanilla and cardamom, so it can be used as a date night fragrance as well. Again, it's not for a jeans and T-shirt style date.


My Opinion

Well, if you read the title, then you already know. This is my favorite leather/suede fragrance. I even prefer this over African Leather, which is also a masterpiece, but not as leathery as I expected. Thameen took soft suede to another level with this one by bolstering it with the rich and creamy vanilla and cardamom. It reminds you of the interior of a Bentley, which is what I thought of when I smelled it for the first time. The smooth woods help with this illustration due to the prominence of wood-grained dashes and detail in luxury vehicle brands. 

This fragrance is expensive but worth the price to me. At $285 USD for 50ml, it's certainly not a fragrance everyone will have access to. That exclusivity is part of the fragrance's charm, along with the part about Thameen being an underrated brand. 

As always, sample first...Especially with a fragrance this expensive.


Conclusion

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I will be releasing a Christmas top 10 in the next day or two. I know that I rarely do top 10s, but I love Christmas so much, that I had to do one. I think this will only be my second or third top 10 of the year. I might do more than 10 too. I am still working on it.

Don't forget to say a kind word to someone today. There is no telling who it might help. The holiday season is upon us and COVID numbers are rising. It's a stressful time for many people. Be a blessing to someone and not a hindrance. 

Thank you to my readers who have read my articles this year. I really do appreciate your support through this rough year. Your comments and support means the world to me. That is why I keep doing this. I don't make a single dime from doing this. This has always been and always will be pure passion. Much love to all of you and I hope this is the best Christmas yet for all of you. 

One more thing I would like to add. You can get Thameen Regent Leather at Selfridges for $230 USD. That is much lower than the Lucky Scent price of $285, even with the $30 shipping charge. However, if you sign up for their free international shipping for a year, then it's only $60.  I think it's worth it because they having many European fragrances at a much cheaper price than you can find them in the US/Canada. So, even if you buy from them only 3 times in that yearly span, then you are saving a good chunk of money. I am not sponsored by and I have no affiliation with Selfridges. This is just a simple tip that I picked up.

Yes, before someone asks, Selfridges is legit. They are official retailers of the brands that they carry, They even have some fragrances that are exclusive to their store. I think they are just cheaper because they are a European store and they can charge less for European goods because of that. Regardless, I will leave a link to both Selfridges and Lucky Scent for you to purchase this scent if you'd like.


Regent Leather (Lucky Scent)

Regent Leather(Selfridges)

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A Cozy Evening: 4160 Tuesdays Shazam! Review

 

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Good morning! I hope everyone is having a fine start to their day. I am doing quite well myself. I have a lot of fragrances to catch up on, so that is why I am trying to release 3-4 reviews per week.

One of my friends decided to send me a few samples from a house I have been interested in for a while, which is 4160 Tuesdays. I had high expectations going into these because I have heard how great Sarah McCartney is at perfumery. I am not sure if the person who sent these to me wants to be mentioned, so I will leave them as anonymous for now. I will just say that she has no affiliation with 4160 Tuesdays. Thank you, anonymous friend. It's been a pleasure discovering this house. A few more reviews will come later. 

Without further ado, let's get into it!


The Story 

I can see the cabin in the distance. A warm glowing hearth in contrast to this desolate winter wasteland. The wind pushes against me as I inch forward ever so slightly. The bitter cold grasps my cheeks and makes my face too numb to even bear my teeth in an effort to oppose it. I push forward, step by step, until the orange glow graces my face. Home at last.

From the moment I step into the cabin, a warming sensation touches my cheeks with the sound of a crackling fire. The aroma of warm smoke and cedar waft in the air as I go to grab my favorite flannel with a cup of spiced cocoa. 

The cozy atmosphere is so comforting in contrast to the cold that penetrates your bones outside. Comfort, peace, and bliss come to mind. A place of calm and peace. A shelter from the storm. 


The Scent 

Shazam! opens with a shot of juniper, tangerine, and sweet olibanum. You would almost think this was a fresh fragrance with a smoky twist at first sniff, but Shazam! has much more in store for us. 

Balsamic cedar then jumps into the fray and gets spiced up by cardamom. Rich and smoky labdanum with sweet vanilla are the main players here and form the backbone of this fragrance. Warm cocoa is added and completes this atmospheric perfume.

This fragrance comes off as sweet, woody, resinous, smoky, and warm. 


My Opinion

I am not always a big fan of sweet scents, but I have to say, this one is excellent. It's very comforting and cozy. The use of rich resins and spices with cedar blends beautifully and makes me picture a cabin in the woods, as a refuge from the bitter cold. It is sweet, but not cloying or sickly sweet. It is refined in a way that works seamlessly with the resins and woods. 

This is certainly full-bottle worthy to me and I will certainly be getting one when I can afford it. From my testing, I have concluded that Sarah McCartney is a great perfumer and she lived up to the hype. There is one sample that I received that I didn't care that much for. However, there isn't a perfumer on earth that will impress me with every single fragrance they make. Sarah still gets high marks from me. I guess I kinda just ruined some of my other reviews, huh? Oh well...

 As much as I enjoy this one, remember that this is an indie house and the perfumes are artistic. Sample first. I do think this fragrance is more mass appealing than many indie offerings though. Make sure to test this in the cooler months. I imagine this will not smell as good in the heat due to the sweetness. 


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my first review on a 4160 Tuesdays fragrance. I plan on trying a few more from this house when I can. I think I have 2 or 3 more to review from samples that I received from my friend. 

Have a wonderful day and stay safe out there. A kind word goes a long way. Use them well and often. You never know what someone else is going through. Keep smelling great and being great



Buy this fragrance at Perfumology (not an affiliate link)

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Effortless Suave: Floris No 89 Review

 

Good morning, ladies and gents! I hope everyone is having a fantastic start to your day. I am doing well. This colder weather is really motivating me to review more fragrances. Even though this one is a warmer weather fragrance.

A legendary fragrance in its own right, Floris No 89 came out in 1951 and became wildly popular after being included in Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. It was probably pretty popular before then as well. Rumor has it that Prince Harry also wears this. As the case is with most celebrity claims, it is not confirmed. 

I am pretty excited to have this in my collection. I didn't purchase this one. A friend of mine sent it to me because he knows I am a big James Bond fan. This person has no affiliation with Floris or any fragrance houses. He is simply an enthusiast.


The Story

Those cold and crisp spring mornings always do something to me. I can't explain exactly what it is. The feeling of cold air in your lungs and seeing your breath in the air. It's uncomfortable at times, but it also harkens you back to your childhood when you would try to blow smoke rings with your breath. I was never able to accomplish this. If you were, then you probably superhuman. 

In the current era, you get up and put on your nice wool sweater for an early morning stroll. The mentholated chill of the air clings to your face like the sting from an aftershave. You can still smell the soap from your shower and gives random wafts from the treeline off in the distance. As the sun peeks out, a warm freshness invigorates you while the birds sing their songs of another day of life. The simple things in life are always appreciated if you take the time to do so.


The Scent

Floris No 89 opens with a sharp bergamot tang and bright oranges. Powdery lavender and rose work together to make this quintessentially English. The powdery notes are lifted by the citruses and give it a freshness that is common to scents of this era. 

When the heart starts to emerge, a cool and minty geranium pops up. What sets o 89 apart is that this geranium has a mentholated edge to it. This gives the fragrance the feel of an aftershave and a cool suaveness. These notes are supported by a green oakmoss and soft sandalwood. There is a slight spicy vibe in it. My guess would be that they used two types of geranium, both the minty and floral spicy sorts. I think I read that it has nutmeg in it as well, so that could be the spiciness, but I can't directly point it out as nutmeg. There is also an ever so slight creaminess, which I imagine is from the sandalwood, but I can't say for sure.

This fragrance comes off as a fresh and vibrant powdery barbershop with a minty pop and a spicy woody base. It does favor the warm weather more than the cooler months. 


My Opinion

Floris No 89 checks all of the boxes for me. It's beautifully composed. It's unique, but familiar. The price point is very good. I guess there is a reason that Floris is one of the oldest houses in the UK. 

Is it a masterpiece? No, it's not. It is a very beautiful fragrance that I am happy to have in my collection. This is one of my favorite warmer weather barbershop style fragrances. I said it before and I will say it again, this is a quintessential British gentleman's fragrance. 

Even though I enjoy this one quite a bit, sample it. This fragrance is not for everyone. Some people might view this as dated or old. I never thought that gentlemen were out of style. What do I know though? I need an alien decoder to understand half of what these younger folks say on Facebook these days.

I don't usually speak on performance, but this one lasts quite a while, but the projection isn't strong. As with most "gentlemanly" fragrances, this one is rather soft and it makes it even more beautiful.


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my review today. Have an amazing day and stay safe. Remember to say something positive today. You never know who it can help. A simple smile can make someone's day. Thank you for all of the support. Until next time, keep smelling great and being great. 


Buy Floris No 89 here (Not an affiliate link)

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Woody Wanderlust: January Scent Project Burvuvu Review

 

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I hope everyone is doing well today. I am doing pretty well. I am glad that fall-like weather is finally upon us. Fall and winter are my favorite fragrant seasons. So many rich perfumes to wear and explore!

Today I will be covering January Scent Project's Burvuvu. Fragrantica writer and perfumer John Biebel composed this fragrance with the intent of bringing a realistic forest experience in a market that desperately needs more types of this fragrance. I am not sure if that is what his intent was, but I assume it was from my experience with the scent. 

I have no affiliation with Mr. Biebel. I think I spoke to him once or twice on a Facebook post(maybe it was on Instagram?). I get absolutely nothing from you clicking the links down below. They are just there for your convenience.

This is one of my favorite fragrance genres and I am excited about this one. Let's get into it!


The Story

Again I find myself here, in the desolate wild places that many men do not dare to tread. I am not many men. This is where I find my peace. Solace from a world full of technology-driven ambition that is devoid of the natural world. It is here that my mind reconnects with its primal nature and unlocks itself. 

As I walk through over the golden and red-hued leaves underfoot, I notice the gentle fog that shrouds the treeline from the nearby lake. It creates a hauntingly beautiful sight with the sun barely peeking over the mountain. 

I keep pressing on, over the soft wet dirt and mosses of the forest floor. There must be more to discover in this place that has been untouched by man for many years. The nearby flowers and mushrooms softly waft into my nose to remind me of where I am, even though I had not forgotten. 

As the fog starts to clear with daybreak and the sun caressing my face with warmth, I feel at home. This place is wild and untamed. It doesn't share its mysteries with anyone who comes upon its path. You have to get to know it first. It looks like I will be spending a lot more time here. I certainly won't be protesting that notion. 


The Scent

Burvuvu opens up with peppery and smoky cedar that is quite strong and in your face. This fragrance contains 3 types of cedar and I would venture to say all three are natural. If they aren't, then John certainly fooled me. It is pretty much a euphoric experience for a cedar lover. Seriously, words cannot describe how beautiful this opening is.

After the pepperiness of the cedar tames itself, you can a very earthy mushroom note. It darkens up the composition and gives a damp forest floor feel. I can also detect patchouli quite well, which I assume is meant to work with the mushroom note to bolster its earthy texture. 

Castoreum and honey add a bit of wild animalistic flavor to the composition. They aren't very strong, but you can vaguely detect them. 

While reading reviews for this perfume initially, I saw others strongly detected a rose note in here. I can't say that I pick that up at all...either that or it's hidden underneath the woods and earthiness to me.

Basically, what I end up with is a smoky and peppery cedar fragrance that has a strong and damp earthy undertone with a slight animalistic touch. It's pretty much a walk through a forest before dawn breaks.


My Opinion

I am just going to come out and say it...This is a masterpiece. I don't use that word very often. I have said that about 5 or so fragrances before. This one deserves it. 

I had been searching for a foresty fragrance for so long. Many of them came off like cheap shower gels or green fougeres. This one actually smells like a real forest. I can't say that this one ended my search for more forest-themed fragrances, but it is by far the best one I have tried yet.

This fragrance is a cedar lover's dream. Beautifully balanced, but strong and unashamed of who it is. It's like nature...the cedar notes are the warm embrace of the wilds. Don't get too comfortable though, the cold darkness of the earth will swallow you whole if you don't respect it. If you didn't get that, since I tend to speak in analogies quite often...I am saying that this fragrance has a deep contrast within it that gives it nice depth and character. 

This fragrance runs $65 for 30ml or $145 for 100ml(link below). You won't find many fragrances with this sort of quality and craftsmanship for $1.45 per ml. I think it's a very good price. Actually, I think John is selling himself short and could charge $180 for 100ml. That is his choice though. It's just my opinion.

I said a lot of positive things about this fragrance, but I still implore you to sample it first. This is artisanal perfumery and it won't be for everyone. 


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my take on Burvuvu. This was a fun one to explore. Honestly, I am still trying to pick out all of the nuances in it and I have worn it quite a bit. Sometimes these fragrances take a long time to dissect, but I was excited and wanted to share it with the world. 

Remember to say something kind to someone today. You never know what is going on in their life. You could bring someone back from the edge. Keep smelling great and spreading love. Until next time, be safe out there.



Buy Burvuvu here

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