The Green Carnation Friendly Fur 2011 Extrait de Parfum

Every now and then, I browse ALzD, looking at brands I don't know yet and scents I haven't smelled. Depending on my mood, I sometimes seek something dark, something fresh, generally always something simple and in the mid-price range. Or I'm, like these days, on the hunt for something truly special, for the real niche. I encounter something interesting less and less often during these morning coffee research sessions. But yesterday it happened again (to me). I only knew Friendly Fur from the silly manta fox tail; I hadn't smelled anything yet. So I ordered Green Carnation blind. The deciding factor for my purchase was the bottle, which is straight, unembellished, without a cap, and strongly reminiscent of the Molecule-Escentric line. After the first test: Yes, this is about what I expected. For me, the scent is everything but complex. Complex is something that reveals itself gradually and unfolds. Not the case here. What I smell and will smell does not differ. Just as it comes out of the bottle, I perceive the scent even after 2 hours. At first, it seems a bit chaotic. I smell the cumin from "Tauer 02," then gentle mint appears, similar to what's found in "Menthe Froide." I detect subtle coriander driftwood from "L'Original" and am reminded of the soft focus from Tam Dao. The incense component is more club-like than altar-worthy; it could come from the CdG corner. Above all, the relentless clove reigns, and beneath it lies a grounded, mature musk. In terms of scent concept, I would place Green Carnation somewhere between Le Labo's Santal 33 and the Escentrics. Here it is extremely niche and far from pleasing. The scent always retains its edge and overall feels somewhat austere. For me, this is exactly what defines this fragrance. It is quite idiosyncratic. I would describe the scent as woody, perhaps a bit powdered. A powdered little woodling with clove and cumin. I would never have thought of ylang-ylang. Sweetness is not recognizable, even in hints. I find the longevity to be between good and very good, and I give the sillage 7 points. For fragrance enthusiasts who prefer it strong, a 6 would be the right rating here. Despite all its austerity, it is a calm, unexcitable, and reserved companion. When hair and sweater get a spritz, the scent is, however, present and perceptible for hours. So I like it very much.