Fumidus Profumum Roma 1996

As is often the case with me, an irresistible urge to test arises whenever a seemingly exciting, controversial fragrance is negatively dismissed with more or less fanfare. Therefore, thanks to the majority of my predecessors, you have led me to this Vétiver reference.

During the first test, my curiosity was immense - the surprise was just as great. I found myself again in the wooden shed known as the neighbor's smoking chamber in a forest on a mountain in the Austrian nowhere. Such was my childish association. My more adult association had me sitting on the couch with friends indulging in their newfound love for whisky - a love I still cannot share, unless I smell it without drinking.
Single Malt Whisky Lagavulin. Strong, peaty, very smoky. Just this opening thrilled me so much that I looked forward to the first few minutes with each subsequent test.

After a few moments, once my nose has adjusted to the peatiness, it comes to the forefront:

THE Vétiver. The earthiest, rootiest, smokiest, darkest green-brownest Vétiver I have ever encountered.

Fumidus begins where Encre Noir leaves off. Even black ink appears bright and radiant in comparison. Although the comparison is a bit flawed, as Fumidus is self-sufficient and stands almost until the end as a dark Vétiver rock in dark surf after its malt whisky opening. In the initial tests, the Vétiver was so overwhelmingly present in my perception that I could filter out little else. By now, after some time, I also smell earthy-mossy patchouli in the drydown, which subtly underscores the richness of the central moment of Vétiver here.

This fragrance is so straight for me - I can't help it - in your face, that I would find it hard to come up with more flattering words. Yet I find it magnificent precisely because of this brutal presence.

But is Fumidus wearable for me? Merunnsia wrote "original and masculine!"
So if I wanted to bring out the most masculine part of myself, for example, while taking a chainsaw course, then yes. However, I have already learned to fell trees with the fire department, so I am still waiting for the right opportunity.