Webiscent91

I really liked the EDP, but the fig in it was always a bit too sweet for me and the durability on my skin isn't the greatest.

For a comparison, I bought the extrait to make a purchase decision. The extrait costs a good 40 euros more.

As you would expect, the two fragrances share the same DNA, so if you want the more multi-faceted fragrance with better longevity and projection, you should definitely go for the extrait and pay the extra price.

The fragrance opens with cardamom before the fig reveals itself.
I also get a pleasant peppery top note.
The fig is less sweet than in the edp, it seems more mature, more malty, darker and gets creamier and sweeter as it progresses. I have to be honest, I give it a 10 because I want to honor the craftsmanship of this fragrance.
I have never experienced that a fragrance can change so intensively over time and - until it becomes skin-deep - actually becomes rounder, more pleasant and sweeter.
Towards the end, a light vanilla also joins in.
Some real magic has been done here.
It is intense, but still super wearable for different occasions. Well-dosed, it is even suitable for the office.

The sillage is great, I notice the fragrance in the air for a long time and it even lasts a few days on my clothes, where it even continues to project.

For a niche fragrance, the price is also really good, if you look carefully you can get 100ml for €180. The fragrance is very productive and just a few sprays are enough.

Finally, I would like to say that I see the EDP as more suitable for women, as the fig is a little fresher/sweeter and more playful.
The extrait, on the other hand, is more for men because it is a little edgier at the beginning and the sweetness is a little more restrained as described.
But of course everyone has to judge for themselves, both fragrances are ingenious and stand out from the mass of fragrances with their unique DNA.

Martinique in the evening, rainy season.

The hotel has hardly any guests due to the low season, it's already late and I'm the last one at the beach bar.
It's made of old solid wood and already has a few nicks. Some guests have immortalized themselves here. The leather-covered stools are completely worn and tanned... hand-carved ornaments on the teak bar catch my eye. A light film has settled on the motifs. Only fleetingly wiped off with a cloth, so that there is still dust in the deeper bays.

I get on quite well with the barman Serge, he showed me photos of his family and I tried one of his favorite cigars. The tobacco is as dark and heavy as the night sky, under which the palm trees sway in the Caribbean wind.

I'm tired and want to go to my room, but my bartender friend insists on one last, special nightcap.

He pulls out a casket from under the bar, walnut brown wood with heavy, rusty hinges that a pirate could have buried himself.
It creaks as it opens and I recognize a bulbous bottle. The dim light refracts in the amber-colored contents, the faded label no longer reveals what I'm getting myself into.
I do my new friend a favor and pour myself a glass.
Contrary to expectations, my throat doesn't burn as I empty the contents of the glass in one go. Instead, I feel warm; the sweet sugar cane has probably worked for decades to develop such a balanced, rounded aroma. Dark, restrained sweetness and a subtle spiciness disguise the alcohol, I don't care about the guaranteed hangover in the morning.
I say goodbye and sway towards my hotel room, the bar closes behind me and is secured from the approaching tropical shower.
The way to my room seems to take forever, no wonder, the grounds are extensive and lead me through vast cocoa plantations, the air makes me a little more sober and I imagine that vanilla also grows here on the edge of the hotel's own plantation.
I find my room door, despite slight orientation problems and a few attempts to open it.

I fall into bed and take in the ever softening breeze of a night of drinking.

This is my second visit to the Lutens hotel chain, my first visit to the 5 o' clock au gingembre made me a fan, this second visit makes me a permanent guest.

Fantastic house, with attention to detail that deserves the same amount of love I put into this review.

I walk through the deepest coniferous forests, how long ago I have long forgotten.
No light penetrates here, no wind passes through the branches, silence surrounds me.
Only the fine crunching of dried needles under my boots breaks the silence of the forest for a moment.

The resin of the pine shoots is dark, sticking to my hands as I try to find my way. It stains my skin, leaves marks on my clothes.
I take a deep breath of this poisonous green substance, the pure soul of the trees refreshes my senses for a moment and sharpens them.

I have not been able to find the exit for days. Distant smoke, the charcoal burners' fire tells me that it can't be far away.
And yet I don't come across a clearing, I continue along the dark path.

I can't find my way out. I don't want to find my way out, the forest holds me captive, offers me protection.

I am now a part of it.

Oh yes, if you ask me what my favorite time of year is, it's right now. Golden autumn, the first leaves are slowly falling, you feel like a good book, a thick blanket, a warm plate of stew or just... a cup of tea.

For me, this fragrance reflects exactly this time, this beautiful transition between summer and fall.

The cozy cup of tea is warm and spicy. It invites you in, embraces you. But then there is the sweet, slightly spicy, almost citrusy taste of ginger.
Like rays of sunshine that warm you, even when the first leaves are already changing color and falling.
Golden autumn in a bottle.

The cup of tea has its own character, as you would expect from Serge Lutens.
It is subtle, yet special.
Your tea ceremony will last a good 5 to 6 hours.
During this time, the contents of your cup will become softer and softer, creamier and creamier, and the initially slightly edgy taste due to the ginger spiciness will become rounder and rounder.

Invite yourself to pause for a moment. Enjoy the moment and take a sip of this olfactory flatterer, which for me is the perfect companion between the seasons.

Today was probably the last hot day of the year and man... it was really 30 degrees again ...

I live near the Steinhuder Meer, so what could be better than catching the last warm rays, strolling along the boardwalks... with an ice cream in my hand... the linen shirt only loosely buttoned.

The day's choice for the fragrance was Torino21, a worthy conclusion before (finally) moving on to the beautiful fall fragrances.

The fragrance opens with a beautiful, natural lemon that is second to none and remains until the end.
Immediately, however, you also get a mint that does not dominate and is absolutely subtle. No toothpaste.

After a short time, Provençal herbs, sun-kissed rosemary and basil follow, like a stroll through grandma's herb garden.

For me, all of the fragrance notes mentioned are present until the end and shine through more prominently from time to time.

What I find particularly great about this fragrance is its atypically long lasting and solid sillage for a summer fragrance.

From 25 degrees upwards, Torino21 really goes full throttle and you "steam" the fragrance out.

Your entire mid-range environment is thus caressed - in a pleasant way - by a minty-herbaceous citrus that is simply round, natural and beautifully balanced in its combination
It definitely gets you noticed.

Xerjoff has really delivered here and although I'm not a summer person, wearing the fragrance makes me miss the warm days a little.