Askew Humięcki & Graef 2008

Anger as a scent. Aha. This is new to me and requires some exploration. Let's approach the topic from more familiar ground:

If there is a scale of intensity of anger in music, perhaps Beethoven's "Anger over the Lost Groschen" - a tongue-in-cheek title that doesn't even originate from the master himself - marks one end. The other might be the lines sung by Alexander Kipnis in the role of Hunding: "It is hated by all and me." and "For the dead, you pay me customs.", with which the grim German praises blood vengeance. To be heard in the first act of Wagner's "Die Walküre" (Metropolitan Opera, December 1941, Erich Leinsdorf; youtube.com/watch?v=S9W-REUSzH8 - at 27:34 and 28:44 min.).

Kipnis remained just below the threshold of screaming in both phrases; he didn't need to do that. Nevertheless, Hunding's barely controllable anger is clearly evident. Only the guest right prevents him from attacking the enemy encountered in his own house on the spot.

I mention this because Askew does not shout at me either. I had expected something different. After all, the manufacturers themselves speak of the energy released through destruction, from which new things arise. This suspiciously reminds me of creative destruction according to Joseph Schumpeter, thus linking to my studies in "economics" - undoubtedly one of my more arduous life phases. The latter is just a side note.

Perhaps I need more patience and later something will shout? The opening is quite calm, in any case. It has something mushroom-like ("z", not "s"). Along with bitter citrus fruit. Plus a mop soaked in floor cleaner. And mustiness. As a frame, I am offered tamed birch tar, which has nothing scratchy or dark about it. Yes, it is so little dark that I could have fiddled with it for a while without announcement. This, however, does not prevent it from noticeably unfolding that already diagnosed mustiness. My colleague remarked upon entering my office: "Smells like must. Decaying leaves; forest floor or something." Well great - that's exactly how I wanted to smell.

A new beginning is urgently needed, that much is clear. Hopefully, something will shout (or compliment, for that matter) the must away. After all, the conflict between Hunding and Siegmund meets its tragic end in a thunderous catastrophe in the second act of "Die Walküre." I wait. And since Mr. Wuchsa has already invoked the metaphorical phoenix from the ashes regarding change, I am instead symbolically waiting for the tonic after the Bachian modulation or the bell signaling the end of the religion class. But what ultimately happens does not fit into the verbal arsenal of marketing weapons.

There is simply a quick shift: A residual sourness, which due to its blunt-soapy nature reminds me more of a remnant of bergamot than grapefruit, raises a fresh-clean note that is merely grounded by the tar. Over the course of the afternoon, it gradually turns more watery-fresh-soapy, the remaining tar brightens, and Askew could almost be considered classically influenced in style. Characterful-bitter, even noble! Perfect for a suit, who would have thought? I am very taken with the uniquely original nobility that Askew now radiates.

This can now definitely claim to have been newly created. Only: Do I want to spend the morning being modern for a quick halftime shift towards a wonderfully wearable scent? Well, better than the other way around, at least one has something to look forward to.

Conclusion: Scent at the front somewhere between "phew" and exhausting (one to two hours would have sufficed for me), at the back really great (you could have added the saved hours there); overall okay and undoubtedly quite exciting. The theme, however, remains more of a riddle to me. And for such an experimental scent, I find a 100ml jug size completely unsuitable.

I thank Ergoproxy for the sample - ahem: One advantage of 100ml is indeed...