When I came across Atomic Rose by chance while browsing in the diverse expanses of Parfumo, I was already so fascinated by the Dutfpyramide that I have packed him directly on my wish list and told myself that I would have to strike at a suitable Souk.
This may seem odd because objectively speaking, it's not particularly special or extraordinary. It doesn't contain any unique and attention-grabbing ingredients like, for example,
Hylnds - Bitter Rose, Broken Spear (Iron), but only relatively "normal" fragrance notes (although I have to say that Hedion and Ambrofix unfortunately mean nothing to me).
But especially at Penhaligon's fragrances I have learned that simple can also be better, less can also be more. For example,
Portraits - Much Ado About the Duke and
Portraits - The Coveted Duchess Rose show through their simple DNA and a nevertheless great fragrance that a pompous and rich composition need not be a prerequisite for an appealing perfume.
But now to the Atomic Rose: me as a rose fan, the fragrance notes immediately more than appealed to me and I was already sure before the first test to enter a blind purchase, if it offered itself.
And during a visit to the KaDeWe, which has an overwhelming and yet not quite gapless fragrance selection, suddenly arose the opportunity to sniff at the Atomic Rose.
My expectations of the Initio were accordingly high, after I have hyped myself up by comments and ideas about the fragrance - and I was actually not disappointed one bit.
Atomic Rose starts directly with the incredibly beautiful, strong and full rose. It has here almost a fruity character and is harmoniously accompanied by bergamot - which I can perceive but only faintly - and pepper - for me about 30 minutes really present.
But even immediately after spraying on, this characteristic floral fruitiness, which is composed of the three flowers of the heart note, is unmistakably perceivable. It is accompanied by a bright, slightly powdery sweet vanilla note, which, however, never becomes too present and therefore does not let the fragrance become too sweet.
It has succeeded that actually the floral heart note permanently retains the upper hand and radiates a fruity, tangy aura, which is not lacking in sweetness, but which does not end like, for example, a
Layton in a single vanilla glue.
The sillage is outstanding on my skin, I am addressed to it as soon as I enter a room and even if I cover the places on which I have applied the fragrance with a sweater, I smell myself clearly and also my environment can not miss the magical rose sweetness.
For my standards, the durability is also great, after 5 hours, the rose has not even begun to fade and even after 10 hours I can still perceive it well. A sweetened fruit basket like
Erba Pura may last an hour longer, but can also get on your nerves at some point.
Last but not least, the bottle is the aspect about Atomic Rose that gets the least good rating from me in relation. This may be in the eye of the beholder, but I don't find it particularly visually appealing. Still, it seems high quality and I can see the gigantic advantages to blacked out, opaque bottles. I like the purple one better than the black one, but I think it's unflattering that Initio keeps at least four fragrances in identical-looking bottles (e.g.
Psychedelic Love ;
Side Effect). But maybe I just haven't discovered the subtleties that set these same-colored bottles apart, so I can't appreciate them.
I don't think a conclusion will be needed - I think it's become abundantly clear that Atomic Rose could do practically nothing better for me. It's an absoultly stunning unisex fragrance (and I do mean unisex, in my opinion it's not too feminine to wear as a man) that can be worn at virtually any time of year on special occasions or evenings.
I envy everyone who can call a whole bottle of Atomic Rose his own and make sure that I soon also belong to the lucky ones!