A bright and spicy opening blast characterizes the initial stage: cardamom, orris, a touch of cinnamon, and quite a bit of ginger – the latter’s comparable brightness was a bit enhance by an influx of bergamot. Spicy, but not sharp and not dark.
The drydown turns floral, but thanks to some slightly bitter angelica it is not all floral softness and sweetness. I get a bit of Muguet, a good lashing of a pleasant geranium, and a good bunch of roses. The rose never really unfolds fully, and blends in somewhat inconspicuously instead of taking on a lead role. This is more ascribed to a Jasmin that developed a bit further down the track. There is an underlying restrained creaminess owing to ylang-ylang, but again this does not come to full fruition and remains more of a forme fruste. All these notes blend in and remain intertwined; a team effort amongst equals if one expresses it in a positive manner, or alternatively a concoction that does not allow the notes to develop individual excellence if seen in a negative fashion.
The base displays the same characteristics: a nonspecific woodsy muskiness – a touch of a bland sandal breaks through occasionally – with soft and slightly mossy patchouli, with a mildly sweetened undertone of tonka – again a mishmash focused on the collective impression and not the individual notes. The spiciness of the top notes is lingering still, has takes on more of an incense characteristic, and displaying the spiciness in an attenuated strength.
In get moderate sillage, very good projection and and very good eight hours of longevity on my skin.
An interesting autumnal composition, with the top notes being the most convincing ones. The later stages are a bit too generic at times, and the sheer amount of different components can suffocate more than enhance each other at certain moments. Still, some of the ingredients are of high quality, the blending is excellent and the performance is very satisfying. Overall 3.25/5.