Abraxas98
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A secret garden
Another fragrance by Joschka Klee has found its way to me. Serpent - a scent full of danger?
The packaging of Joschka's fragrances remains true to itself. High-quality and elegant. I like his bottles, but I must unfortunately say that my Electri's spray head doesn't seem to be 100% airtight. I am curious to see how it will be here.
Immediately after spraying, Serpent feels rough and almost a bit wild on my skin. Coarse incense, a light, bright rose, hints of absinthe (or am I just imagining it here and it’s only in the Poison accord?) - all of this feels like a green curtain that wants to block my view of the garden for now.
Slowly, the curtain lifts and the geranium smooths the edges, even though the rose thorns still caution me. Serpent's seductively green character develops more clearly. It’s as if the incense takes on the role of the morning mist that is now lifting and revealing more of the view.
It takes a little while for me to really warm up to this composition - “green” scents are often outside my usual preferences - but I like the way Serpent winds itself around my skin.
It is a glimpse into an enchanted garden that, despite all its beauty, wants to be approached with caution. But once you find the path, it reveals its beauty in bright light.
- And as the day comes to an end, I sit under one of the trees and absorb the spice of the earth and the leaves. Serpent is now less green, but has a beautiful, robust spiciness.
For me, who has not yet ventured too far into the world of niche fragrances, Serpent definitely counts among the quirkiest and most unusual scents in my small collection.
While Electri and Deserta were instant “love at first sight,” Serpent is a bit more challenging, as it is more angular and even more unusual.
And for the first time, the included accords (innocent flower and fatal poison) really help me out. With Innocent flower, Serpent loses some of its “green danger” and transforms - to stay with the imagery - into a beautiful English garden, full of strength and energy after a brief rain.
Fatal poison, on the other hand, allows the garden around you to grow wild, only to then engulf you.
Serpent is definitely not a simple crowd-pleaser. Blind buy? Probably not.
But for those seeking more than mainstream - they will be well served here.
The packaging of Joschka's fragrances remains true to itself. High-quality and elegant. I like his bottles, but I must unfortunately say that my Electri's spray head doesn't seem to be 100% airtight. I am curious to see how it will be here.
Immediately after spraying, Serpent feels rough and almost a bit wild on my skin. Coarse incense, a light, bright rose, hints of absinthe (or am I just imagining it here and it’s only in the Poison accord?) - all of this feels like a green curtain that wants to block my view of the garden for now.
Slowly, the curtain lifts and the geranium smooths the edges, even though the rose thorns still caution me. Serpent's seductively green character develops more clearly. It’s as if the incense takes on the role of the morning mist that is now lifting and revealing more of the view.
It takes a little while for me to really warm up to this composition - “green” scents are often outside my usual preferences - but I like the way Serpent winds itself around my skin.
It is a glimpse into an enchanted garden that, despite all its beauty, wants to be approached with caution. But once you find the path, it reveals its beauty in bright light.
- And as the day comes to an end, I sit under one of the trees and absorb the spice of the earth and the leaves. Serpent is now less green, but has a beautiful, robust spiciness.
For me, who has not yet ventured too far into the world of niche fragrances, Serpent definitely counts among the quirkiest and most unusual scents in my small collection.
While Electri and Deserta were instant “love at first sight,” Serpent is a bit more challenging, as it is more angular and even more unusual.
And for the first time, the included accords (innocent flower and fatal poison) really help me out. With Innocent flower, Serpent loses some of its “green danger” and transforms - to stay with the imagery - into a beautiful English garden, full of strength and energy after a brief rain.
Fatal poison, on the other hand, allows the garden around you to grow wild, only to then engulf you.
Serpent is definitely not a simple crowd-pleaser. Blind buy? Probably not.
But for those seeking more than mainstream - they will be well served here.
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A Tribute to the Man.
Bois du Portugal - definitely not a mainstream fragrance. Much of what I have read about this scent leaves me rather perplexed, as I experience this classic quite differently.
"Old man scent"? - Sure! But only this old man is called Sean Connery and bravely faces the elements with his head held high. ;-)
This is how I perceive Bois du Portugal: a classic, masculine gentleman's fragrance, without much fuss, clear and straightforward.
Right after spraying, citrus notes make their presence known, but from the very first moment they have to fight for their place. Not for a second does Bois du Portugal pretend to be a delicate freshie. On one hand, there are immediately noticeable, sometimes even quite rough wood notes that only become softer after a while - and on the other hand, I immediately sense the lavender in its spicy bed.
Over time, the clove becomes more pronounced and brings its characteristic spiciness to the fragrance.
As the citrus elements of the top note fade away - without really disappearing completely - warmer and almost elegant wood notes emerge, providing the fragrance with its foundation.
The result is, for me, a timeless tribute to self-assured men - long before any androgynous inclination became a topic.
When I let this fragrance work on me, it is men like Daniel Craig or indeed Sean Connery who appear in my mind's eye, walking through the Highlands in boots and tweed jackets after a rainy night, accompanied by a few Irish Setters.
I appreciate Bois du Portugal precisely for this: it is not a fragrance meant to bring you compliments - it is a fragrance for a man who earns respect and recognition for his actions.
"Old man scent"? - Sure! But only this old man is called Sean Connery and bravely faces the elements with his head held high. ;-)
This is how I perceive Bois du Portugal: a classic, masculine gentleman's fragrance, without much fuss, clear and straightforward.
Right after spraying, citrus notes make their presence known, but from the very first moment they have to fight for their place. Not for a second does Bois du Portugal pretend to be a delicate freshie. On one hand, there are immediately noticeable, sometimes even quite rough wood notes that only become softer after a while - and on the other hand, I immediately sense the lavender in its spicy bed.
Over time, the clove becomes more pronounced and brings its characteristic spiciness to the fragrance.
As the citrus elements of the top note fade away - without really disappearing completely - warmer and almost elegant wood notes emerge, providing the fragrance with its foundation.
The result is, for me, a timeless tribute to self-assured men - long before any androgynous inclination became a topic.
When I let this fragrance work on me, it is men like Daniel Craig or indeed Sean Connery who appear in my mind's eye, walking through the Highlands in boots and tweed jackets after a rainy night, accompanied by a few Irish Setters.
I appreciate Bois du Portugal precisely for this: it is not a fragrance meant to bring you compliments - it is a fragrance for a man who earns respect and recognition for his actions.
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Gentle Elegance
The fragrances from BDK usually resonate well with me. So I was all the more curious when I was recommended Creme de Cuir. And, what can I say, it was/is a home run.
Right after spraying, Creme de Cuir reveals its fresh side. A pleasant note of bergamot and pineapple (I perceive mandarin less) immediately announces itself. However, there is also an immediate creaminess that overall prevents any dominant citrus scent from being perceived. Quite quickly, I then notice a subtle vanilla on my skin, which harmonizes wonderfully with the aroma of soft suede.
The pepper is used very subtly and provides slightly bitter notes "on the edges," supported by the wood notes used. A truly well-executed overall composition that makes vanilla very wearable for me.
Creme de Cuir is not a hardcore leather scent, like perhaps "Nouveau Monde," it is much more subtle, quieter, and also more elegant.
What else is there to say?
The packaging and spray head are very good, as are the sillage and longevity.
The scent is definitely unisex and should be tried out.
Right after spraying, Creme de Cuir reveals its fresh side. A pleasant note of bergamot and pineapple (I perceive mandarin less) immediately announces itself. However, there is also an immediate creaminess that overall prevents any dominant citrus scent from being perceived. Quite quickly, I then notice a subtle vanilla on my skin, which harmonizes wonderfully with the aroma of soft suede.
The pepper is used very subtly and provides slightly bitter notes "on the edges," supported by the wood notes used. A truly well-executed overall composition that makes vanilla very wearable for me.
Creme de Cuir is not a hardcore leather scent, like perhaps "Nouveau Monde," it is much more subtle, quieter, and also more elegant.
What else is there to say?
The packaging and spray head are very good, as are the sillage and longevity.
The scent is definitely unisex and should be tried out.
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Dark Velvet That Provides Warmth Through the Cold Night
Black Moonlight was not at all in my plans. I was more in the "not another Xerjoff" mode... and was proven wrong. Because sometimes Xerjoff just gets everything right.
The packaging is a masterpiece of red and black, even for Xerjoff. Elegant, high-quality - simply top-notch.
So let's turn our attention to the fragrance right away.
The scent is simply a feel-good fragrance.
From the very first second, it radiates warmth that gently envelops you. On my skin, the fresh notes hardly come through. Saffron, cardamom, lavender, myrrh, and hazelnut immediately take the lead. At least, if I follow the fragrance pyramid. Overall, these aromas are so tightly woven that I can no longer perceive them individually.
Only later do tonka bean and patchouli emerge more distinctly.
For me, Black Moonlight, despite all its darkness, is above all a perfect cozy scent that will be a good companion in the coming gray months. And yet it also has a rather dark velvet quality.
Black Moonlight presents itself clearly without becoming intrusive - and its longevity is definitely top-notch.
In my opinion, Xerjoff releases too many fragrances, as each individual scent somehow gets lost in the mix. - Especially since not everything appeals to me as it should in this price segment. But now and then, a fragrance stands out from the swamp and convinces 100%. Black Moonlight is such a fragrance.
Definitely worth trying.
The packaging is a masterpiece of red and black, even for Xerjoff. Elegant, high-quality - simply top-notch.
So let's turn our attention to the fragrance right away.
The scent is simply a feel-good fragrance.
From the very first second, it radiates warmth that gently envelops you. On my skin, the fresh notes hardly come through. Saffron, cardamom, lavender, myrrh, and hazelnut immediately take the lead. At least, if I follow the fragrance pyramid. Overall, these aromas are so tightly woven that I can no longer perceive them individually.
Only later do tonka bean and patchouli emerge more distinctly.
For me, Black Moonlight, despite all its darkness, is above all a perfect cozy scent that will be a good companion in the coming gray months. And yet it also has a rather dark velvet quality.
Black Moonlight presents itself clearly without becoming intrusive - and its longevity is definitely top-notch.
In my opinion, Xerjoff releases too many fragrances, as each individual scent somehow gets lost in the mix. - Especially since not everything appeals to me as it should in this price segment. But now and then, a fragrance stands out from the swamp and convinces 100%. Black Moonlight is such a fragrance.
Definitely worth trying.
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Industry meets Parks
Contes de Parfums is a new discovery for me. So far, I actually like all the scents from the Cities Collection that I have been able to test. I am definitely "shock in love" with Bilbao, which was immediately added to my small collection.
The packaging completely captivates me. High-quality, without appearing exaggerated. I particularly like the included card with the portrait of the perfumer, Ane Ayo, as well as a brief summary of the "story behind the scent." I see this card as a little extra that shows a desire to do a bit more than the usual minimum.
The Cities Collection assigns scents to cities and tells corresponding stories. Bilbao is meant to reflect the tension between industry and nature as a scent. -I was immediately curious ... and was not disappointed.
Right after spraying, I am hit by various aromas. The pepper, patchouli, and coffee are noticeably the main players, but they are clearly surrounded by licorice (?) and incense, even though both do not appear in the fragrance pyramid. This scent weave provides the dark base on which light nuances of bergamot create a few bright reflections. To stay in the imagery: a few sun rays reflecting in a slightly oily puddle on wet asphalt.
Only after some time do I perceive the lavender, which, however, is intercepted by woody notes and oud (?), so that no real floral tones emerge.
Even in the dry down, licorice and incense remain perceptible in my perception, although now a more woody spiciness takes over.
I do not tend to have overly vivid associations when it comes to whisky or scents, but for Bilbao, the story, the inspiration for the scent, and the images I have seen of Bilbao fit perfectly.
It is also worth mentioning that the bottle is beautifully designed, the cap is heavy and high-quality, and the spray head is top-notch.
In terms of longevity, Bilbao is present on my skin for about 6-7 hours.
The scent is not too loud, which I really like, and it is definitely suitable for everyday wear.
This is definitely one to test!
The packaging completely captivates me. High-quality, without appearing exaggerated. I particularly like the included card with the portrait of the perfumer, Ane Ayo, as well as a brief summary of the "story behind the scent." I see this card as a little extra that shows a desire to do a bit more than the usual minimum.
The Cities Collection assigns scents to cities and tells corresponding stories. Bilbao is meant to reflect the tension between industry and nature as a scent. -I was immediately curious ... and was not disappointed.
Right after spraying, I am hit by various aromas. The pepper, patchouli, and coffee are noticeably the main players, but they are clearly surrounded by licorice (?) and incense, even though both do not appear in the fragrance pyramid. This scent weave provides the dark base on which light nuances of bergamot create a few bright reflections. To stay in the imagery: a few sun rays reflecting in a slightly oily puddle on wet asphalt.
Only after some time do I perceive the lavender, which, however, is intercepted by woody notes and oud (?), so that no real floral tones emerge.
Even in the dry down, licorice and incense remain perceptible in my perception, although now a more woody spiciness takes over.
I do not tend to have overly vivid associations when it comes to whisky or scents, but for Bilbao, the story, the inspiration for the scent, and the images I have seen of Bilbao fit perfectly.
It is also worth mentioning that the bottle is beautifully designed, the cap is heavy and high-quality, and the spray head is top-notch.
In terms of longevity, Bilbao is present on my skin for about 6-7 hours.
The scent is not too loud, which I really like, and it is definitely suitable for everyday wear.
This is definitely one to test!
2 Comments
