Liam

ليام

Lattafa 2023

I managed to grab a bottle before the scent disappeared into the nirvana of sales. But before we dive into the olfactory world of Liam Grey, let it be said: This drop is not meant to be a duplicate of Gris Charnel EdP, but rather a version as an Extrait (so creamier, with more vanilla and sweetness). So, if you prefer the fresh, more robust variant of Gris Charnel, Liam might not be your "cup of tea."

Now, enough of the sniffing around - it’s time for the main event! Liam Grey presents itself as a truly successful perfume that captures the creamy essence, the robust tea, and spices. However, despite all the praise, there’s a little something tickling my nose. The opening is a bit too leathery for me, a bit too overloaded. Instead of fig and cardamom, the scent opens with an ode to leather. A pinch of smoky, earthy vetiver joins in - a powerful blend, if you ask me.

But up to this point, there’s no trace of Chai to be sensed. Contrary to some opinions, I believe that the start of Gris Charnel was staged more skillfully. Oriental fragrances tend to become overloaded quickly, and Liam seems to be no exception. Marketed as a men’s fragrance, it’s probably not too surprising that Liam doesn’t do things by halves. In contrast, Gris Charnel opts for a subtler, tea-heavy start - not too extreme, but still robust.

Over time, however, Liam becomes softer. After about 20 minutes, the perfume truly transforms into the oriental milk drink. So, patience is required, as Liam takes its time before the spicy, creamy Chai notes take over. And from that moment on, the scent doesn’t change dramatically anymore. It remains a sweet, spicy cream. Fig and iris add an opulent, milky, and powdery note to the mix. With patchouli, black tea, and the main player cardamom, all of which remain very present, the scent is fortunately pleasantly robust and doesn’t become too sticky sweet. For those now pondering the much-discussed synthetic issue from social media: Yes, there is indeed a hint of synthetic presence, but personally, it doesn’t bother me much. This is not a cheap, synthetic fragrance, but rather a cool, powdery synthetic that gives the overall aroma the final touch. Overall, it’s a lovely scent that can hold its own in any collection.