AlexMz

In particular, resinous essences prevail at the center of this perfume from the Artisan Collection. The opening is shaped by fleshy green fig leaf. The bitterness immediately meets the warm, woody-resinous aromas of myrrh, incense, opoponax & amberwood, which form the fundamental tone as an incarnation of the Middle East. Roasted tonka bean adds smoothness, while ylang-ylang & broom blossom create hazy, yet intense floral accents. An intricate composition with substantial sillage & up to 10 hours of longevity, where warm resinous elements in affinity with the exotic flowers create an extraordinary & mystical scent profile of the Near East.

The epitome of nobility, aristocracy & old money. Epic Man impresses with the finest nuances from a masterpiece of fragrance notes in an unparalleled form. Right from the start, nutmeg & resinous incense notes ignite an exalted opening. The symphony progresses into a heart of warm myrrh, which immediately culminates in a finale of wood-framed leather. Each component has its precisely tuned part in this work: noble resins, refined woodiness, tanned leather & a collection of warm spices. Neither too smoky, too animalistic, too generic, nor too dusty - Epic Man - a masterpiece!

Armaf Club de Nuit Sillage is unfortunately not an independent fragrance. It is a deliberate copy of Silver Mountain Water from Creed. This is clearly noticeable in the scent. Like every cheaper alternative, it also lacks refinement & depth. Nevertheless, CDNS impresses in terms of quality. The fragrance profile is well captured & appears comparatively successful.

Club de Nuit Sillage wonderfully captures the theme of mountain air. A high plateau shining in the summer sunlight on an alpine ridge. Far above the tree line, with green fragrant meadows full of fresh herbs & a crystal-clear mountain stream that underscores the quiet peaceful soundscape. The icy meltwater trickles in a small brook over mineral dark stones & lush moss. A cooling breeze flows from the snow- & glacier-covered peaks down the pasture towards the valley. The scent is a retreat into the summer, pure & untouched nature of the high Alps.

CDNS has a linear scent progression. A very bright citrus is dominated by blackcurrant. A fresh musk base with pleasant sandalwood notes makes the fragrance feel fresh & lively. The composition is characterized by a cool, metallic freshness that sharply runs through the scent and carries the feeling of pure mountain air. The original, in contrast, is less aggressive & softer. However, with over 10 hours of longevity, there is nothing to complain about.

My rating:

Scent: Alpine summer - 9/10
Longevity: Long freshness power, strong 10h - 9/10
Sillage: 8/10
Bottle: Bulky, cheap decoration, but no breakage - 7/10
Price: 165 AED (RRP) / ~40€ affordable alternative - 9/10
My batch: 06/2021

Mancera Wave Musk is a scent of longing. The feeling of strolling through a coastal village in midsummer heat, wandering through cool artisanal shops, and finally stepping through a shady alley to the shores of the Mediterranean, taking a deep breath and feeling the salty air.
The fragrance opens with a zesty grapefruit note, which forms a powerful fruity citrus component alongside a sharp blackcurrant note. Additionally, a bright greenish and aggressively sour seaweed generates top-notch marine sensations. The composition is further imbued with a biting maritime saltiness and a finishing dry woody note, which is carried by white musk crystals, giving the fragrance a summery Mediterranean and maritime aura, as if the air were carrying whipped, cooling sea spray and refreshing the face.


My Rating:

Scent:
Summer vacation & sea - 9.5/10

Longevity:
For a fresh scent, powerful 10h on the skin - 9/10

Sillage:
Present & accommodating - 8/10

Bottle:
Simple but valuable, could have benefited from some color - 8/10

Price:
In the lower niche sector (top) - 135.00€ / 120ml (RRP) - 9/10

My Batch:
28/09/2020

Road trip along the Italian coast in a Fiat 500
Summer
Open roof
Passing by lemon trees
Basil in the luggage
Searching for shade under hard-leaved trees in the scorching heat and gazing at the azure color play of the Mediterranean
A warm breeze smells wonderfully of resin wrapped in intensely spicy musk seeds
Peeling fresh regional mandarins
Cooling off in the waves at a narrow sandy beach in a rocky cove
Dozing off to the sound of the sea
Enjoying
Onshore wind
Driving into the sunset
For dessert gelato alla vaniglia
La dolce vita!