Medianus76

Somewhere in Havana…
“Damn, what the hell am I doing here anyway?” shot through my mind. Sitting in a rundown bar in the center of Havana, melting from the heat, I actually ordered a banana split. “Is there nothing better I could have thought of? Who would even think of ordering and eating a banana split in this situation!” But my senses insisted!
“Well, maybe the ice cream will cool me down a bit,” I thought to myself as a bored waiter suddenly appeared at my table, my order on the tray.
“Senor, su helado,” he presented with a smoky voice, while I immediately set to work on the banana split. Chocolatey aromas spread out, while the fine and soft vanilla and tobacco notes from the market outside were eagerly fanned into the dim ambiance of the bar by the rapidly spinning fans inside.

“I really think that lousy scoundrel Carlos has played me. He promised me the goods, the Colombian stuff,” echoed in my head! I shoved another spoonful of chocolate sauce into my mouth and grumbled, “Way too much time has already passed, that bastard!” Meanwhile, I decided to leave this shady establishment immediately, despite the still intoxicating scent of dark cocoa and soft vanilla in the air. I ordered the bill.
“La cuenta, por favor,” I waved to the waiter. He quickly came to the table and placed the bill in a bowl made of dark wood, adorned with a pretty jasmine flower.

I pulled my wallet out of my pocket and my thoughts circled around just one topic! “Where is Carlos? I absolutely needed the Colombian K…,” when just at that moment, a guy appeared next to me and pressed his steaming Havana into the wooden bowl decorated with the jasmine flower. Immediately, a dark woody, fine smoke spread out, carried by the light sweetness of the flower.
“Buenos Dias, muchacho! Are you ready for our deal?” There stood Carlos. Who would have thought it!
“Hey Carlos, of course I’m ready. Ready when you are!”
“Do you have the money? I have the goods outside in the car. 2 kilograms of pure Colombian cocoa! Just as you ordered!”
“Finally, you old crook,” I replied, relieved! “Let’s go, vamonos, vamonos!”

**

Les Indémodables manages to create a deep, dark, and incredibly present scent on the skin with Vanilla Havane in an impressive way and with few ingredients. No 2 kg of cocoa are required for this :)
In fact, the opening involuntarily reminds me of the mentioned banana split. However, this is just the first impression, as the opening has a strong presence and is quickly accompanied by subtle vanilla and spicy tobacco notes. The tobacco and cocoa form a well-functioning symbiosis, so the scent itself never comes off too sweet, but is usually well balanced.
However, the sillage is very pronounced. The dosage should be chosen wisely, depending on how much one wants to share this scent with their surroundings.
This rather long-lasting opening phase is gradually overlaid by dark woody and smoky elements. In this transformation phase, the initial notes appropriately recede into the background, giving the scent a sort of second presence. In my opinion, the development of this phase is more attractive or appears better blended than the beginning of Vanilla Havane.
Finally, a slight floral note shines through every now and then. The Egyptian jasmine certainly contributes to this aspect, but does not come off as intrusive or overloaded.

In conclusion, there remains a nearly consistently well-executed, dark-spicy cocoa scent, with pleasant vanilla and tobacco facets, enhanced and rounded off by the beautiful dark wood and smoke components. Still, something is missing. At times, there is a somewhat angular, coarse impression that could have benefited from a bit more refinement. The longevity, however, is strong and consistently convincing, just like the sillage.

Deep in the Allgäu Alps lies a crystal-clear mountain lake. The last rays of the setting sun gleam cheerfully between the mountain peaks, bathing the magically greenish shimmering lake in a mysterious light. Up here, where fox and hare say goodnight to each other, nature remains untouched and the problems of everyday life are far away…
In the sky, the glowing moon begins to take its place, and the transition between day and night seems seamless. The cosmic balance, perfectly calibrated and undisturbed, allows countless lights of shooting stars to fall deep into the mirror-like lake. The scent of earthy grasses rises sharply, mingling with the smoky soft mists swirling on the surface, to unite with the aseptic woody tones of the deep lake. Pulsing and unstoppable, in the rhythm of the night, the origin of all life returns to the source.

**

Roja has once again managed to captivate me. Incredible, as I am by no means a compulsive vetiver fan, yet this one compels me even more and truly leaves me in awe. There are so many interpretations of vetiver available and executed, but none have resonated with me as much as this one does.

An authentic and extremely successful Cologne opening makes the scent initially feel very refreshing. The oil of Litsea Cubeba belongs to the laurel family and certainly shapes the beginning with its lemongrass-like note.
By the way, I find Cologne to be relatively so, as the scent appears very enduring in its development and longevity. But it is also a parfum Cologne…whatever these designations may exactly mean.
What excites me about this Roja is the delicate execution of the theme. From the very beginning and throughout, there is a beautiful aseptic, slightly sterile undertone. From this undertone springs the melody, in the form of a mild, earthy, slightly smoky vetiver. Not sharp and edgy, but extremely clean and harmoniously integrated, a fantastic and complex scent scheme emerges. You can almost witness how the vetiver gradually reveals itself, carried by the aseptic base tone. Accompanied by the very fine woody component typical of vetiver scents, I believe there are no wishes left unfulfilled.

The wearability and longevity are versatile and commendable. I think, for most people, it is perceived as pleasantly fragrant, and the Roja vetiver can be excellently enjoyed in the sunny months.
In conclusion, while the rather high price remains a drawback, the quality clearly speaks for itself in this case.

Soon, two years and many moons will have passed since I joined this fascinating community. Back then, driven more by curiosity and a great interest in sourcing from the souk, I let my long-standing passion for perfume run free and dove into the depths of intensely fragrant playgrounds…
It began a time full of magic and enchanting moments. Deeply stirring emotions and tremendous impressions were to shape my perception for the next while, as had not happened in a long time in my life. Coupled with the fact that I got to meet truly unique and generous people here, I had fallen into the Parfumo endless loop.

So, I stood at the beginning of a long journey, and it happened as it had to. I let myself be inspired by the rankings and soon had a sample of Oud Wood under my nose. My first pseudo-niche fragrance, so to speak. At that time, I was absolutely astonished…wow and madness. What a beautiful scent. It went so far that I, full of enthusiasm, bought a small 30ml bottle…after all, it was an expensive little water and I didn’t want to overdo it. Unfortunately, things went just as modestly with Oud Wood as they often do in real life. The influenceability of us humans is enormous, and the deeper I dove into the subject, the more frequently the statements came that Oud Wood is nothing special and is almost pure commerce. Since I saw myself on this relentless search for the special, the ultimate fragrance, I left Tom behind and gave up his friendship and his kind nature.

When I held the bottle in my hands again today after a long time, I thought to myself: “I actually quite like Tom’s works. Some even very much. So, why not, today I’ll wear Oud Wood.” Just at that moment of the collision of scent molecules with olfactory cells, a gigantic film ran in my head! Whoa, what just happened? I felt and experienced that very mysterious magic. The one from back then, two years ago, when it all began. A moment that touched my soul. What had become somewhat clichéd and ordinary in the meantime experienced a kind of renaissance today through Oud Wood.

Since this moment captivated and thrilled me so much, I decided to write these lines. This synaptic olfactory fireworks leads to the spectacular release of endorphins and teleports us to a long-gone time. It lets us feel for a moment like back then, and space and time briefly lose their meaning. That is a unique feeling. For me, triggered by scents and aromas but unfortunately far too rarely. We all know it and wish for it. This chemically induced reaction in the brain I call olfactory programming.

I probably don’t need to write much about Oud Wood itself. There are so many reviews, statements, and evaluations about it. Many others have already done an excellent job here.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that it is a masterful composition. This cardamom-infused veil, framed by soft woods and sensual aromas, evokes a sense of well-being. Even though the oud is only rudimentarily present, it makes the scent, together with the fine sandalwood, shine for a moment. A consistently warming atmosphere is created through the interplay of the components. Even the associated rosewood does not bother me in any way. I believe all the ingredients are extremely harmoniously intertwined, and the slightly medicinal touch coming from the oud closes the olfactory circle harmoniously.

I now wish all of us many such moments, whether triggered by scents or other events. Indulging in the past can be so wonderful. But to feel the past, something new must begin to trust in the magic of beginnings…

Not far from my hometown, nestled in a picturesque landscape, lies an old and traditional falconry. Deep in the forest, hidden from the outside world and the curious eyes of people, rests the old homestead. Only a few know of the existence of this establishment, and that is how it should be. For this is a special breeding station for falcons and rare birds of prey. More specifically, this falconry trains the majestic animals for the wealthy sheikhs of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. A clientele for whom money is certainly no object…

To prepare the shy animals for hunting and the extraordinary demands of the desert states, absolute tranquility is required. Therefore, visits to the falconry are generally not possible, and the remote location in the forest is absolutely necessary. This forest area is used by the falconers to teach the animals how to hunt. But do not worry, as a private property, the official permit is merely a formality.
How did I come to enjoy the rare privilege of visiting this fascinating establishment? Ultimately, professional circumstances opened the door for me to spend an afternoon enjoying the fantastic atmosphere there and watching the falconers at work.

Upon entering the grounds, a magical atmosphere prevails! The old golden eagle, powerful and majestic, sits on a large rock, greeting me with piercing and razor-sharp gazes. Impressive not only is the size of the bird, but the fact that it is in NO cage is almost frightening. It considers the estate its home, its territory, sometimes taking a round in the forest and returning on its own - fascinating.
As I continue, I encounter the wise snowy owl. As I pass her enclosure, she curiously turns her head, almost a full circle, to ensure she does not lose sight of me, emitting mysterious sounds as if warning the others of my presence.
Shortly thereafter, we reach the enclosures of the falcons, and here begins the olfactory journey on the wings of the incredibly successful "Falcon Leather" from the house of Matière Première.

At the outset, Falcon Leather indeed reminds me of the atmosphere in the falconers' enclosures. With a slightly sharp and piercing note, similar to the aura present in the cage, the bird of prey welcomes you and takes you on a journey. This somewhat harsh beginning, inspired by birch tar, is flanked and controlled by saffron, creating an extremely harmonious symbiosis of both elements. For neither does the birch tar become too smoky dominant, nor does the saffron take the upper hand. Thus, beautifully balanced parallels emerge to Tuscan Leather, as well as the very successful Vert Gothique.
Relatively quickly, the main theme is established. The falconer's glove is to be the focal point, and an incredibly smooth and delicately crafted leather note impressively develops. How exactly the glove of a falconer smells, I cannot say, despite my experiences. But this combination of the initial sharpness, in conjunction with the softly tanned leather, is truly remarkable. Breathtaking how the ingredients used here, labdanum and Siam benzoin, create a beautiful light-resinous, warm-soft illumination. The leather is consistently pushed to the forefront, creating an effect as if the glove wraps around you like a second skin, making room for the return of the falcon circling in the sky. It should be noted that throughout, it is a very soft and accessible leather. As if the falcon has kneaded it soft and elastic with its claws and countless landings.
This progression remains relatively linear in my perception. It may become a bit more resinous in the dry down, and a slightly sweet facet can also be noted.
The falcon itself circles in the sky for many hours and has very good longevity. The surrounding olfactory aura is at all times beyond any doubt and simply beautiful.
For me, Falcon Leather definitely belongs to the highlights of 2021. Although currently still used based on samples, nothing stands in the way of purchasing a bottle.
For this is almost a Millennium Falcon…

May the Force be with you!

He had crossed oceans of time
To find this place
Not to bind his stony fate
To these dreary and bleak days
A glimmer of hope remains
If only vague…

Promising
From Rosslyn Castle it shines
Amber light, the path it indicates
Branding the way lined
Full of noble herbs he only dreams
To forge the steel of justice
So that a smoking blade frees
Time

From darkness and sadness
Soon everything will be consecrated to the light
A dark rose now adorns his work
In the hope that the magic never again
Fades

*

Victorious to eternity
He now prepared himself
To return home to his loved ones
To show how olfactorily winning
The darkness has now been dispelled