Bombay Gourmand Śasva 2024

POURING TROPICAL RAIN OUTSIDE
AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO SMELL LIKE.

Warm salted caramel.
Almondy Indian sweets.
Soft rose + sweet orange.
A dark ribbon of oud.
Then vanilla, labdanum & cedarwood
wrap everything in this warm, velvety haze.
It smells like
a cashmere blanket, freshly made mithai
and a steaming cup of chai
while monsoon rain hits the windows.
Rich. Sweet. Spiced. Addictive.
And honestly?
I LOVE discovering Indian fragrance brands that do THIS.

This fragrance is really a stunner - beautiful and hefty but not overpowering waft of rose when you first spray it, but the fragrance blossoms as it dries down.

More so than gourmand, I get floral notes. You'd think with the notes that you'd get something similar to the cloying notes you often find in Western gourmand fragrances, but no - and all the better for it. The vanilla definitely stands out with the rose, but this fragrance reminds me more of a femme-forward and non-spooky Romance Noire by Sylhouette. This is a gorgeous fragrance that I could imagine on a beautiful woman.

Since the fragrance has no reviews yet and I don't want to leave it like that, here is my attempt to describe it:

For me, it is simply wonderful but not a true gourmand. Nevertheless, it fits perfectly into our realm, especially starting in autumn, particularly at temperatures around and below 15 degrees. Its warm, spicy notes envelop you like a cozy blanket and provide a pleasant, comfortable feeling.

I would classify it as unisex, and for men who enjoy wearing rosy scents, it is also a dream.
I am not the biggest fan of rose, but I find this one balanced and velvety.

What makes this fragrance special is its inspiration as an Indian counterpart to 1001 Nights from the Arabic world. It carries the magic and mystery of this fascinating world within it, with exotic nuances that instantly transport you to another realm. Yet it is interpreted in a modern way.

Wonderfully balanced. It will definitely be used frequently soon, and I would love to try Šasva, as 'Shanthi' has captivated me just the same.