At the beginning of this year, there was only one perfume that kept running through my mind.
London.
Sapphire Collection.
Widian.
Parfumo is full of it. I constantly see reviews, comments, and statements. Where does this scent come from? What have I missed? And why did I miss it? The fragrance isn't even that new; what's happening here?
A friend of mine got a sample but wasn't very convinced. I was visiting and, of course, got to test it.
Well? What exactly is happening in my nose right now? What did you just spray on my arm? I think I've rarely smelled such a beautiful opening.
Opened Parfumo, bam, and London lands on the wish list.
Weeks go by, and the scent stays in my mind. The only thing that separated me from London was the price tag of a hefty 230-250€/50ml. That's quite a chunk of change, isn't it?
Well, my current mission is to search for deals on various websites. At least 2 weeks pass, and I still haven't found anything. By now, I'm ready to pay 230€. Then this.
Aswan. 50ml. 155€. Boom.
What is Aswan? Why does it look so much like London? Wait, let me check Parfumo. Hmm, “Similar to London,” “London's little brother,” London, London, London,… .
What do you do in such a case? How long is this offer available? Will I manage to order a decant? No! I'm buying this now, but I'm not telling anyone so it won't be embarrassing if I don't like it.
Ordered.
2 days pass, and I can hardly sit still. Okay, I'm going to buy a decant after all; at least I can sell it again in its original packaging. Then I can test it and maybe ruin the anticipation for myself. Meanwhile, I look at other posts about Aswan, but unfortunately, it is so overshadowed by London that there is hardly any news or other opinions.
Ironically, the fragrance arrives on the same day as the decant. I was on a business trip, come home, and hold both in my hands. But one thing at a time. First, the decant. So much time must be taken.
The first spray and bam, there it is again. That moment, which feels like it was years ago for me. But what is this? It smells even better. Can that be? Is that even possible? This raspberry makes me melt (even today).
Okay, but first impressions can be deceiving. No hasty decisions here.
So I let the scent sit on my arm and wait. I keep glancing at the packaging of Aswan. Incredibly beautiful!
Slowly, the opening settles. And how do I like it? I love it. The leather unfortunately doesn't come through as strongly as in London, but the vanilla comes through even more. I like it, I like it a lot. I still have the London sample somewhere. I dare to make a direct comparison.
Spoiler: by now, I have already opened Aswan because the sample convinced me so much that I couldn't wait any longer. Wow, this bottle. Wow, this packaging. Just a side note.
Direct comparison after 2 hours. For me, the winner is: London. Wait, isn't that a comment on Aswan? Am I okay?
Yes, but my love for Aswan only really developed after the 2nd or 3rd comparison. Of course, by then, I had already asked a friend or two what they thought of the two candidates. Clear story. 4:0 for Aswan. And I noticed it too. By now, I find Aswan “significantly” more pleasant and beautiful. In my opinion, this is a fragrance that definitely needs time. You have to let it develop, you have to give it time, you have to allow yourself to fall in love. Speaking of time, how long does it last? Days! Is the answer. It’s sometimes really amazing how long a scent can cling to clothes. The perfume I use to test the longevity of a scent is Carved Oud. Solid to very good longevity. Anything stronger is great. Anything less, well, we’ll see. Aswan on the sweater in the morning, applied Carved Oud in the evening, and the next evening I only smelled Aswan. I can be sure that 3 to 5 sprays will carry me through the evening when I go out or am on the go. And the next day, I still smell good, no matter where I wake up. But do I like it alone, or how do the reactions around me turn out?
No other scent guarantees me as many positive compliments as Aswan. And I'm not exaggerating. I don't get feedback on my scent that often. Every now and then, okay. But with Aswan, they are practically pre-programmed. That makes it fun. Even my father, who doesn't care about perfume and only wears it when my mother forces him, even he managed to slip a compliment. And that has only happened once before. With Light Blue pour Homme Eau Intense by Dolce & Gabbana, mind you.
The compliments are one of the best things about Aswan. It is simply well-received by men and women alike.
The feeling I have while wearing Aswan is also indescribable. You feel beautiful, you feel like the main character, you feel like you can do anything.
Aswan has managed to become my favorite fragrance.
And all thanks to a silly discount promotion from an online shop. Man, I love perfume. And give your fragrances time; they deserve it!
Updated on 11/09/2022
Top Notes 
Raspberry
Italian bergamot
Pink pepper CO2
Heart Notes 
Violet leaf
Ambrofix
Virginia cedar
Base Notes 
Leather
Musk
Vanilla
Patchouli
BertolucciK
RisingChaos
ArmandoMa
Omnipotato
BoBoChamp
Holscentbar
3aloosh
Theris
Bastian
Konst121
