Bracken Man Amouage 2016

When wearability and quality ingredients take precedence over attempts at rocket science, a minimalist masterpiece like Bracken Man is born. Perfumed by two maestros hailing from Grasse, the French capital of perfumery, it only makes sense for the final product to be the embodiment of "less is more."

As I sniff the atomizer, I'm greeted by soapy lavender, sweet spices and pleasant warmth. With each wear, green, earthy and musky nuances become more noticeable. There aren't any bitter herbs, animalics or pungent notes. That said, it still packs enough of a punch to keep your attention, making it both versatile and inviting.

The opening is aromatic, as the myriad of spices intertwine with lavender. Citruses offer light zinginess, while cypress adds uplifting conifer freshness to the scent profile. Sweet cloves and nutmeg are the bread and butter of this fragrance, with dusty cinnamon and cedarwood laying the foundation of a woody undertone.

While Bracken Man initially leans soapy and slightly rose-like due to geranium, it ventures into a creamy direction in the drydown. Sandalwood, coumarin and musk accentuate the warm quality and patchouli provides a hint of earthiness. Overall, it's a wonderful balance of punchy spiciness, dry woodiness and muskiness.

Don't expect it to perform like the usual Amouage beast - the projection is as understated and sophisticated as the scent itself. However, it sticks around for a long time; I usually get at least 8 hours on skin. I understand the discontinuation, since such a simple and likeable release doesn't necessarily fit into Amouage's catalogue.

Is this elusive fougère worth the detective work and a big amount of money? Only if you're a die-hard fan of the genre, with appreciation for French elegance. I started searching for it after putting my nose on a couple of older perfumes and realizing that cloves and lavender never fail to put a confident smile on my face.