L'oscar pour Homme Roja Parfums 2018

The Hotel L'oscar London has been lavishly restored and designed by star interior designer Jaques Garcia. With its opening in May 2018, London gained another boutique hotel, this time with a very close collaboration with Roja Parfums. Thus, fragrance candles from the brand can be found in each of the elaborately designed rooms, which celebrate the opulent style of the Baroque. Everywhere there is velvet, leather, and precious woods. Upon closer inspection, everything reveals itself as a skillful interpretation of Baroque in our time. Modern materials and quality meet overflowing aesthetics that touch all the senses.

"Every Saint has a past, Every Sinner has a future."

The motto, so to speak the theme of the hotel, leaves room for imagination. After all, the building in Holborn was previously used as a church. So it is hardly surprising that the collaboration with Roja resulted in not just one exclusive fragrance, but one for each gender. Which of the two poles is that of the Saint or the Sinner, I gladly leave to you (when the opportunity arises) to decide.

In terms of composition, L'oscar pour homme is clearly a Chypre. The (pink) grapefruit starts citrusy-sour and only minimally fruity. And yet very fresh. It is especially refreshing to not have bergamot presented as the opener. Right from the start, the floral accords announce themselves quite prominently, to say the least, almost a bit "loud." However, after a few minutes, everything organizes itself very skillfully, and it should be said that one should (like) (garden) cloves. They dominate the described burst at the beginning.

The Mayflower (better known as lily of the valley) smooths the somewhat angular clove and, together with the grapefruit, creates a fresh-sour-floral bouquet. After a short time, resinous notes come into play, very subtly. Both galbanum and cistus contribute balsamic, slightly woody-smoky notes. They accentuate the described bouquet and give it depth. Something darker. Really beautiful.

The pepper (from the base) radiates punctually into the composition and repeatedly adds a touch of spice, with a slight sharpness that fits very well with the clove. As the fragrance develops, green-herbaceous notes of moss and vetiver slowly complement the woody base and round off the scent in a masculine direction towards the drydown.

L'oscar pour homme is, for me, a daytime fragrance, like most EDPs from Roja. It fits perfectly for the office or even in the beer garden. It performs well between 6-8 hours and is very easy to dose with the sprayers. It leaves room in the evening to wear another fragrance (depending on mood and occasion).

Despite its masculine tendencies, I would also attribute unisex potential to it if you like herb-floral Chypres. Whether you are a Sinner or a Saint with it, I leave to you. Both are contained in this fragrance.

PS: The fragrance can only be purchased at the hotel itself (in London) or via email ([email protected]) for 245 GBP (+shipping).