Abrakabarber Erik Kormann 2016

Actually, barbershop fragrances haven't really been my thing until now. In real life, yes, but as a scent, it just didn't click for me. They are nice and masculine, soapy and clean..but somehow also a bit (under)cool.
However, since we've had a gin and tonic set at home with juniper berries and cardamom, I've somehow developed a taste for it, finding pleasure in the slightly spicy, ethereal, and bitter aroma. Since I really like the fragrances from Erik Kormann, especially because of their special uniqueness, I ordered this scent blind, as it promised to capture this aromatic profile as a perfume.
So, the top note is already a delicious hit. Sharp-spicy and cool juniper berries, mixed with deliciously authentic lime, which comes across more like lime soda with a tiny bit of sugar and a very pleasant (Christmas) smoke. Normally, this is also not my favorite note, as it often feels too sacred..here it comes across slightly sacred as well..like being in a church that smells cool of stone and granite, with a hint of incense from the early morning mass lingering in the air..world-class!
This coolness runs throughout the entire fragrance. The feeling of deep cleanliness, almost purity, arises. This ethereal spiciness is very comparable to that of French Lover, attractive and "repelling" at the same time. The tongue-twister sometimes literally shows you the cold shoulder. The silver-gray smoke further enhances this impression. Especially in humid/warm weather, the cool purity is very soothing, but it's not a scent experience I want to have every day. The slightly sweet vanilla has rarely shown itself to me so far, and when it does, it's only very briefly or when I've wafted my hand. It's a pity really..a slightly sweet-sensual base would have provided a nice counterbalance. But even so, I really like Abrakabarber, especially this purity, this masculine soapiness really shows edge, which suits masculine types very well. I can hardly imagine it on women..it's a man's world.
The longevity is quite good at an average of 7 hours, layered with Timbersilk easily reaching 9 hours. The sillage is strong only in the first 30 minutes, then it settles to a good medium..that fits.
I'm glad that Erik Kormann, after what I consider to be 2 mediocre fragrances like Borobodur and Famagusta, has a really great scent on the market again, which I didn't expect after November and has rekindled my enthusiasm for his fragrances.