GalbanumLeaf

At first, I found this repugnant. (I had a decant.) As a relative newbie, I came to fragrance through florals like J’Adore and Gucci Bloom. But I’ve learned ‘to get’ leather. First I acquired Babycat. However, I prefer Cherry Punk. The leather is robust and almost smokey. The cherry is mellow and yet stands up to the leather. Reminds me of my old club days of warm leather jackets worn indoors, and cigarette smoke in the air. That said, any smoke in Cherry Punk is dialed down low, supporting the leather and cherry. Now I love this fragrance.

Edited to add, I seem to be getting less smoke than most reviewers, so just an fyi. I don’t like smoke as a rule; maybe the smoke is balanced so nicely with the cherry and leather. It’s certainly not an incense smoke. I can’t speak to the Cherry Punk edp which includes patchouli. For a leather scent, the Extrait feels brighter.

I’m picking up more of the cold petrichor and clean, wet soil. As someone who lives in a Mediterranean climate, Im a big fan of petrichor. The florals are cold and crisp like lilies laid upon a grave against a granite tombstone. The notes work together to give a realistic portrayal for anyone who has attended a funeral. A fleeting fragrance, I get four hours max, with a strong, cool floral finish. My son says it smells like dirt, but for me, this is in the best possible way.

If you like tea, this delivers, and the fig shines through. Despite the the three citruses in the notes, they don't hit me in the face. The orange softens the bergamot, and they're expertly blended to create a fresh green, and compliment the rather realistic tea note. (Tea and fig together are divine.)

The longevity could be better, and although I prize longevity (not 'beast mode'), I love this so much that I purchased a full bottle (on sale at Venba). I'll decant into an atomizer for when I have a long day. While Wulong Chá X has better longevity, the fresh tea note is a bit muddled as is the fig.

My current favorite. Since I live in a mediterranean climate, this is a three season wear or anytime I need a pick me up. If you experience a dark, cold winter, the X flanker might be the way to go. Just don't expect as much green tea and fig.

The peony and lychee are the main players. The pink pepper and white cedar notes are mild. Overall the fragrance is a little spicy like sticking your nose into a pollen infused lily (although lily is not a note), with a slight green crunch. The lychee lightens the florals with a watery transparency. This is as close to fresh florals as I've experienced. Expertly blended. I prefer this to Delina. A beautiful, lush springtime fragrance. The longevity is considerable.

This is a knockout kaleidoscope of notes. The opening is a crunchy green floral. The violet pairs well with the orange, making this floral not too powdery and lightly sweet. The same with the cedar and vetiver; they bring out the best in each other. Floating underneath is a sweet resin which is neither smoky or like incense. This would be full bottle worthy except I find the longevity on me poor. Longevity is something I personally value in a fragrance; hence the four instead of five stars. DS & Druga has quickly become one of my favorite houses. Similar to Etat Libre d'Orange, the perfumes are clever alchemy, masterfully blended.