Sunset In Tennessee Jinkoh Store 2024

Today, I would like to describe a fragrance that I have been eagerly anticipating, as it is interesting to me not only on the level of perfumes but also connects to another, truly heartfelt theme, namely whisky. For over 12 years now, I have been engaging with it, getting to know and love these noble drops, which has also led to wonderful friendships, long nights philosophizing over a glass or two, and my love for fragrances has, in a way, been awakened by the "water of life".
Therefore, it is almost a matter of the heart for me to present this fragrance here, but let's take it step by step.

This time, Marius takes us right to the USA, to Tennessee, the birthplace of blues, rock 'n roll (especially Elvis deserves a mention here), country music, and also the main hub of American whisky production, particularly bourbon whisky. According to my latest figures, about 90% of all bourbon is produced in Tennessee. (I think a brand like Jack Daniels is known to everyone.)

But before this turns into a whisky blog, let’s spray the fragrance. Right from the start, the scent actually deviates from the American theme in certain accents.

I was very curious when Marius announced that he was using wood from old whisky barrels, in which smoky whisky had previously matured, which is exactly my forte :D I prefer my whisky smoky, dirty, and edgy. At the beginning of the scent's development, I feel transported directly from the USA to Scotland, to the Isle of Islay, the home of smoky whisky. So it’s quite a contrast, as bourbon or American whisky is by no means known for its smokiness. The scent here truly has something rough, wild, and primal, with a certain rawness.

The fragrance opens with an overwhelming wave of citrus. Sudden, bombastic, filling the room, but also somehow refreshing, preparatory, almost like an aperitif :D
As the citrus veil lifts, venerable charred wood emerges beneath, still with clear traces of ash from the last charring process and blessed by the many years of its use. Ah, what wonderful drops it must have absorbed and brought to perfection over its lifetime!

The smoke is balsamic, phenolic, slightly medicinal, peated whisky at its finest! A subtle and slightly salty sea breeze with a hint of seaweed joins in the background, with very light BBQ bacon notes in the snapshot; one could almost think one is standing in an old cellar where the noblest dark-dirty drops are maturing, or as if someone had poured a bottle of good Scottish whisky in there! :D xD
If you sniff closely, you can even detect, in my opinion, the most homeopathic doses of whisky. I’m going to lean out of the window quite a bit and claim that, if you are familiar with the topic of whisky, it would indeed be possible to somewhat reconstruct the whisky that once rested in the barrels in your mind. But to calm down, without slipping into the "booze" category! Here in the fragrance, the focus, according to my observation, is clearly on the wood!

I must admit that I suspect this part might deter most people; it did slightly deter me at first, but it is definitely worth sticking with it!

Rosewood and cedar calm the fragrance down a bit in the further course, taming the "wild beast" and guiding it well over, creating a grounded base. I feel that the rosewood was not necessarily needed in this fragrance, but in the end, it doesn’t take anything away from the overall scent. Now notes of dried fruits, especially raisins, join in; one could almost think that a sherry cask has been incorporated, especially PX sherry is known for its syrupy dried fruit notes. Exciting :D This is all complemented by honey and malty notes, with a hint of maple syrup. A slight floral note wafts subtly in the background but is rather negligible. The smokiness gradually decreases until it finally fades away completely.

Now we have arrived in the USA; the notes become a bit finer, no longer entirely separable, but still beautifully executed as a package. Now the bourbon aromas come into play beautifully. Vanilla gives a light, subtle sweetness, slightly waxy notes that represent the typical "glue note" of a good, classic bourbon quite well (but don’t worry, it really smells 0 like glue!) and thus give the fragrance a bit more grounding. Speaking of tobacco, it is finely dosed here and adds a few dry and woody accents to the development. On this finely woody-dry tobacco note, the fragrance then also slowly and leisurely fades away.
I personally don’t perceive beaver much, but I think I occasionally notice a few chocolate-like moments in the middle part.

All in all, a fragrance that satisfies me on both sides of my favorite hobbies. However, I believe the fragrance is quite special overall, especially since, at least for the Sunset series from Jinkoh, it is rather unusual, completely without oud, or at least without oud-like influences. But for those who appreciate good whisky or simply have a penchant for wood, I think this is a great fit :)