Biker

He wants to remain unrecognized for as long as possible. He comes from the esteemed family of Atkinsons. But he doesn’t brag about his last name.
Recently, I ran into him at the airport. After a brief introduction, we became friends.
He is rather the distant type and avoids larger gatherings. Many of you will therefore never get to know him. He prefers to have real friends rather than many acquaintances. Don’t be upset. That’s just how he is. If you do get to know him, he may initially come across as a bit aloof. But those who have won his friendship will consider themselves lucky.

Enough chit-chat.

Yes, James is actually a perfume name.
But my introduction already says a lot about this “guy.”
In short, I would say: It is a wonderfully aromatic vetiver scent.
Not a “sweet-talker,” but something for connoisseurs and lovers of herbal-spicy fragrances.

Often, the first impression is very decisive in our judgment.
And I must admit that for many who test it briefly, this may not be the “chocolate side” of James. A bit of herbiness comes at you, as if you are fighting your way through scruffy underbrush. There’s also a tendency to bring your nose close to the wrist right after spraying to sniff. This is not ideal for the first contact. I find the scent really pleasant when inhaled with a bit of spatial and temporal distance. The herbiness is complemented by slightly sweet aromas, creating a masculine yet elegant impression.
The sillage could be positively described as not overwhelming. Unfortunately, the actual scent impression that I find very pleasant noticeably diminishes after about an hour, although the scent lasts at least 5 hours when sniffed directly from the skin.
The perfume should match the personality. I see it especially suiting mature men over 40. This perfume can fit them well. It is versatile in its application and suits both elegant evening wear and rustic or sporty clothing.
Anyone who gets along well with vetiver scents should definitely consider this “James.” Furthermore, it’s also a good choice if you want a less sweet-spicy fragrance in your collection.
Those who know perfumes like “Encre Noire” or “Sycomore” have an idea of what to expect.

Once you've had acquaintance with perfumes where incense plays a dominant role, you have a rough idea of the scent when purchasing such a fragrance without having tested it beforehand.
The positive reviews and a super cheap price; what could possibly go wrong?

The first spray, the first inhalation, letting the scent affect the psyche. Everyone knows that. But somehow I expected a different fragrance. There's a bit of disappointment right away. What is that about? Surely also due to my lack of experience.
In the top note, saffron and myrrh play their game, followed by the incense.
This combination creates a very distinctive fine-spicy sweet scent. Those who like saffron will be happy with it. For me, it was something new, and although my expectation was different, my initial disappointment quickly faded.
It is truly a great scent that fits wonderfully with the winter season. Unlike some other winter fragrances, there is nothing gourmand in it that would remind one of Christmas treats.
However, you can easily spoil the enjoyment of this great perfume if you spray too much. Then it becomes increasingly overpowering and annoying. So a more economical application brings more joy, and it's better to reapply a bit after 4 hours.

After what feels like 2 hours, the sweet alliance of saffron and myrrh bids farewell. The initially strong sillage fades, and the incense is supported by balsamic notes. A lovely phase in which the perfume also conveys a bit more warmth. The longevity is quite decent at 6 to 7 hours.

One more word about the bottle. It is essentially the same as the other Rammstein perfumes. A matte black foil with the typical labeling is shrunk around the glass. So, it’s not particularly attractive, and it could have been done better without additional costs. So-called frosted glass, like the bottle "Weidmanns heil", in black, combined with burgundy labeling could have enhanced the bottle.
But the content is top-notch and worth recommending.

What association exists between Rammstein and this perfume?
In my eyes, both are provocateurs of their respective establishments.
Rammstein polarizes and provokes as a band with its music, lyrics, and stage show.
They have something like a unique position, and one must give it to them; they do it brilliantly.
The same goes for the perfumes that have been released under their name.
These also provoke in their own way. It starts with the name "Kokain Gold." Oh dear.
It continues with the price. This is a declaration of war against all those who offer comparable perfumes for three times the price or more. Now one might say: "Rammstein perfumes are just drugstore perfumes without brand association and therefore quite cheap like most others."
But "Kokain Gold" is not made cheaply! They hired a perfumer for the entire perfume line who knows his craft very well.
In relation to the quality of this perfume and its price, it presents a provocation to the established perfume community. I would assert that for the vast majority of perfume lovers, the "Rammsteins" still fly under their "radar."
About the scent:
It opens with a strong combination of very fine dark leather and incense. This phase is very opulent, and if you spray too much, it detracts from the fragrance experience. Otherwise, it would be a provocation for oneself and others.
After about 15 minutes, this subsides, and the scent loses some of its projection. The wonderfully perceived leather accord in the opening diminishes, and light citrusy fruity notes join the incense, while the smoky aspect continues to dominate. The scent then behaves relatively linear and becomes closer to the skin. This is no longer a provocation, but rather a distinctly masculine and elegant fragrance. If possible, I would lightly reapply after 3 to 4 hours.
As target individuals, I would consider established men aged 35 and up. Usage: Not necessarily for work, but rather for meeting friends, going out, or simply to feel good with this scent.
Well done, Rammstein!

Yes, I have to provoke a bit with the title, but more on that later.
In search of new fragrance experiences, I enjoy reading through the comments. "Cologne Intense" made it onto my wishlist.
I have a few of the typical Cologne summer scents in my collection. However, my curiosity was piqued when I read Yatagan's comment. The combination of citrus and oriental ingredients; that’s quite unusual and should give the scent character of this Cologne a somewhat darker, more masculine note than is usually the case with Colognes. That was my expectation of this perfume.
Eventually, I acquired this wonderfully classic bottle through a perfume swap. It looks quite opulent and noble just from an aesthetic perspective. Off with the heavy cap and let’s take a whiff from the spray head. Oh yes, that smells great. My expectation of this scent seemed to be confirmed at that moment. So I went for a full "splash" on the back of my hand. Wow, what is that? Beneath the really fine, slightly bitter scent, I detected a smell where the word "animalic" sounds rather harmless. You could also call it bodily fluid, slightly dried under the sun.
So, a perfume that keeps everyone at a distance? Disappointment set in, along with the thought that I should sell this Cologne again. Still, I had my doubts. Am I really such a perfume fool that only I notice this underlying scent so much? That can't be the manufacturer's intention.
There were 2 aspects that probably went wrong during my initial test. The back of my hand was wet from the perfume, so it was very concentrated, and my nose was right on it. After half an hour and at least 10 cm away, everything was fine. When the scent is finely distributed on the body, I still perceive the "rascal smell" subtly. But after a few minutes, a truly noble "Cologne scent" develops, which is not necessarily a fragrance for a hot summer day, but rather for a summer evening. Furthermore, with subtle application, it is suitable for all occasions. Thus, the designation "dark Cologne" also applies additionally. In the meantime, I have upgraded my rating for the scent. Sometimes it just takes a bit of time and experience.

What a challenge! Writing the first comment for a women's perfume as a man.
This is my second sniffing round with this perfume, and I find it has good chances of being loved.
How did I actually come to comment on this perfume? I bought a men's perfume online in Italy, and as a little bonus, there was a generous sample of 10 ml of this perfume in the package.
Well, I could have just given it to my wife, but then she would have known that I bought a perfume "again." So I thought to myself; first test it myself and then gift it at the right opportunity.
The scent really surprised me, as it is not sweet or fresh at all, as I would have expected given the current "female perfume mainstream," but rather slightly peppery, herb-fruity, and actually not sweet at all. From the very beginning, it is a scent with recognition potential, and I wouldn't recommend it to very young women. It speaks more for experience, self-confidence, and a bit of daring. The top note quickly develops into a slightly powdery base that I perceive. The sillage is really decent and lasts about 7 hours, and even after that, the scent is still well perceptible up close. The contrasting interplay of vanilla and patchouli gives the fragrance both elegance and daring. One doesn't come across such a perfume very often, and I can imagine how some necks might turn after it.
If you were to ask me which other perfume this scent reminds me of the most, it would be Eau des Merveilles. But that's only with reservations, as I know relatively few perfumes.