Black Sukar Xerjoff 2012

Haha, sounds really disgusting, right ;) ? The combination of animalic and citrus notes along with a rich floral bouquet is actually quite classic. In some major women's fragrances, you can definitely perceive civet or castoreum paired with perhaps slightly indolic jasmine and/or rich, other flowers.

Black Sukar follows a similar structure, but with different fragrance notes. Those who have sniffed Zafar might be familiar with this slightly sweaty-animalic oud note, which I think is beautifully balanced with woody and peppery notes.

Here, you smell a similar oud. It's not barnyard oud, it doesn't smell like dung, it's more humanly dirty than directly animalic. It has a slight sweat (foot) note, perhaps a bit like very ripe goat cheese and is a tiny bit urinous.

On top of that, there's a wonderfully fresh, juicy orange that not only appears sparkling at the beginning but runs through the entire fragrance development.

I must say, I don't have the scent of peonies and freesias in my mind right now. What stands out more are the bright, soft flowers. I hardly perceive rose; rather, there's a very distinct, but soft, delicate, and feminine floral scent.

And does that fit with the oud? Yes, it's a bit of an acquired taste, but actually very harmonious. This orangey-fresh, feminine floral scent doesn't stink; it simply has a human touch. In the opening, the oud is a bit more dominant, but it quickly recedes into the background. Then only the denser, sweaty facets emerge, making the fragrance more interesting so that it doesn't come off as too proper or boring.

As it develops, the scent becomes a bit sweeter; you seem to smell more floral nectar - really beautiful.

A fresh, bright floral-orange scent with a certain kick and good longevity and sillage.