Elysium
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Elysium
The Clove, A Flower Believed To Be A Spice
Ferragamo Pour Homme is nothing new to me. I had used and loved the original version in the late 90s when the fig note was not as well known in perfumery. Perhaps this was the pioneer who started the chain of essences developed around the dominant accord of the fig, together with "Philosykos (Eau de Parfum) | Diptyque" and "Premier Figuier (Eau de Toilette) | L'Artisan Parfumeur". I remember my amazement when I smelled the perfume for the first time, so fresh, green, yet dry and milky. And its bottle slightly twisted on itself like a propeller. Then the perfume was discontinued, while I still kept a few drops to remember it every time I felt the need. You can imagine my joy when a few years ago the perfume reappeared on the shelves, at an almost ridiculous price. And this is how I came back into possession of this little esteemed jewel, both in the men’s and women’s versions.
The opening of Pour Homme is fresh and dry, milky, figgy, and semi-sweet. I immediately pick up the fig leaf nuance, it's straightforward. Something woodsy lingers behind the milky accord, with dark florals and tamed citrus fruits. Albeit it is refreshing, there is not much sourness, just the bitterness from the grapefruit. After a few minutes, I get the mineral and dusty facets of the fig element. Let’s say that fig and grapefruit work together well. Ouch, this is unexpectedly a very complex opening, not a scent profile you see very often in daily life, with a clean, sweaty slant from the cumin, or caraway, that blends gracefully with the milkiness but is still not obnoxious or repugnant. Green, milky, and leafy are the main nuances of the initial phase. Not aquatic at all, not too citrus, just mineral.
The fragrance just began and already told me a lot. Soon it moves towards a darker and more dusty accord. Balmy, a tad floral, and powdery comes to the heart. Cardamom and blossoms give off a balsamic aroma, so soothing, classic, and fancy. A lot of powderiness comes from the orris, which is not lipstick-like. The rose does not scream, while the carnation is the star of the middle stage, so real, so vivid like the purple flowers freshly cut at dawn with some dewy drops over. Sometimes, the carnation has a clove-like smell, spicy, which might be off-putting if you are not a lover of that spice and flower. But clove has nothing to do with carnation. The clove, a flower believed to be a spice.
In the drydown, the green is still present, but now the woody and musky elements come to the fore and Pour Homme becomes very virile and musky. The cedar overwhelms the sandalwood, with its pencil-shaving vibes, while the musk gives it a touch of class without making it dated. Lastly, the herbaceous and green sides of vetiver govern the last stage, not too dirty, but rather clean and pure. Compared to other fragrances centred on the fig note, this one is very dry, green, and mineral. There is not the sweetish part of the ripe fruit, but that of the leaves, wood and sap. The leathery aspect is tamed, so mild that I wouldn’t describe the fragrance as leathery.
Fig is the strongest note, green or not yet ripe, not sweetened, neither dried nor stewed. Noteworthy. Projection and performance are both moderate. It clings to the skin slightly when drying, which is perfect. Ideal for the office, or when you need something that doesn’t scream too much. It seems like the kind of fragrance you’d want to wear when you’re in close contact with people. I like to wear this fragrance during spring and summer days, and also on rainy autumn moments and evenings. Still a great one if you are fond of milky and mineral accords.
I'm formulating my experience on a bottle I've owned since Oct 2020.
-Elysium
The opening of Pour Homme is fresh and dry, milky, figgy, and semi-sweet. I immediately pick up the fig leaf nuance, it's straightforward. Something woodsy lingers behind the milky accord, with dark florals and tamed citrus fruits. Albeit it is refreshing, there is not much sourness, just the bitterness from the grapefruit. After a few minutes, I get the mineral and dusty facets of the fig element. Let’s say that fig and grapefruit work together well. Ouch, this is unexpectedly a very complex opening, not a scent profile you see very often in daily life, with a clean, sweaty slant from the cumin, or caraway, that blends gracefully with the milkiness but is still not obnoxious or repugnant. Green, milky, and leafy are the main nuances of the initial phase. Not aquatic at all, not too citrus, just mineral.
The fragrance just began and already told me a lot. Soon it moves towards a darker and more dusty accord. Balmy, a tad floral, and powdery comes to the heart. Cardamom and blossoms give off a balsamic aroma, so soothing, classic, and fancy. A lot of powderiness comes from the orris, which is not lipstick-like. The rose does not scream, while the carnation is the star of the middle stage, so real, so vivid like the purple flowers freshly cut at dawn with some dewy drops over. Sometimes, the carnation has a clove-like smell, spicy, which might be off-putting if you are not a lover of that spice and flower. But clove has nothing to do with carnation. The clove, a flower believed to be a spice.
In the drydown, the green is still present, but now the woody and musky elements come to the fore and Pour Homme becomes very virile and musky. The cedar overwhelms the sandalwood, with its pencil-shaving vibes, while the musk gives it a touch of class without making it dated. Lastly, the herbaceous and green sides of vetiver govern the last stage, not too dirty, but rather clean and pure. Compared to other fragrances centred on the fig note, this one is very dry, green, and mineral. There is not the sweetish part of the ripe fruit, but that of the leaves, wood and sap. The leathery aspect is tamed, so mild that I wouldn’t describe the fragrance as leathery.
Fig is the strongest note, green or not yet ripe, not sweetened, neither dried nor stewed. Noteworthy. Projection and performance are both moderate. It clings to the skin slightly when drying, which is perfect. Ideal for the office, or when you need something that doesn’t scream too much. It seems like the kind of fragrance you’d want to wear when you’re in close contact with people. I like to wear this fragrance during spring and summer days, and also on rainy autumn moments and evenings. Still a great one if you are fond of milky and mineral accords.
I'm formulating my experience on a bottle I've owned since Oct 2020.
-Elysium
Getting Lost In A Dream World
It doesn’t seem real to me. I’ve had my eyes on these AA perfumes since they were launched on the market in 2020, but the average 50ml format compared to the slightly higher price has always discouraged the purchase. Until today, when the Tigotà chain of stores put this Tonka Musk on super-promo, at €19.90 the EdP. Without hesitating for a moment, I put it in the cart and now it is in my collection. Meanwhile, I’m waiting for the right time to arrive at "Amber Musk | Alyssa Ashley" and "Rose Musk | Alyssa Ashley" too. Others were added in the following years, but these three represented the first big breakthrough after the original Musk. Before describing the perfume, I would like to point out that Alyssa Ashley's perfumes, despite often being very affordable, are not of poor quality and indeed, often include noble raw materials and ingredients, and the noses that create them are also prestigious.
What to say about it? An unexpected explosion of toasted bitter almonds is what I smell at the opening. Unexpected, because my nose and my mind are calibrated on white musk with hints of blackberry, my instinct expects a variant of this accord, and this bitter almond aftertaste catches me unprepared. It is very strong and inebriating, perhaps the result of the ingenious melange between cinnamon and tonka. I imagine myself spreading a mix of cinnamon sticks and tonka beans on a baking tray, and then baking them at a medium, slow temperature to toast them; throughout the kitchen, and slowly throughout the house, this almond aroma spreads, a little gourmand but very bitter and not nauseating. The cinnamon arrives immediately, warm, and pungent, but not the sweetish cinnamon we are all used to. For example, you don’t feel the cinnamon-like in "Potion (Eau de Parfum) | Dsquared²", where the spicy aspect is very marked. Here it is already wrapped in a cloak of toasted tonka, on a sensual background of white musk, what we learned about with #ashley musk.
I let some time pass, and the cinnamon reduces its potency, leaving room for the tonka. Its smell has caramelized facets, with tones of vanilla and almond. Sometimes I also find touches of hay and tobacco. However, tonka produces a smooth, very warm, and balsamic olfactory result. If I smell the box where I sprayed the perfume, I get alcoholic scents, almost reminiscent of the Amaretto di Saronno liqueur. The skin mitigates this nuance, which with its warmth and chemistry highlights the notes of tonka and the slightly animalic and salty notes of amber. Now the essence also takes on sweetish tones, which override the more bitter ones, while always remaining on the border between the masculine and the feminine, never too saccharine or saccharine and not even virile or rude.
Minutes, and hours pass, and the softness of musk and vanilla emerge in all their splendour. The fragrance takes on powdery, powdery and musky nuances. Now it’s a skin scent, but its warmth and delicate sweetness can be perceived if you get close to the places where it was sprayed. Clean and powdery is the last trail.
Tonka Musk is not intrusive, despite having an important character. In its evolution, it touches accords of almonds, coumarins, and caramel, as well as musk. I would say that both the duration and the projection are moderate, and those accustomed to the extraordinary performance of the original might be disappointed. But those who love intimate perfumes will appreciate this essence. If used in the cold seasons, in the autumn and winter months, the perfume can be worn both during the day and in the evening. It is good for going to work, or for dinner or an evening event. Did I like it? Yes, it did not disappoint my expectations, and I have not regretted the purchase.
I wrote the review based on a bottle I have owned since April 2024 (BC 3501268A, PD 2021-09).
-Elysium
What to say about it? An unexpected explosion of toasted bitter almonds is what I smell at the opening. Unexpected, because my nose and my mind are calibrated on white musk with hints of blackberry, my instinct expects a variant of this accord, and this bitter almond aftertaste catches me unprepared. It is very strong and inebriating, perhaps the result of the ingenious melange between cinnamon and tonka. I imagine myself spreading a mix of cinnamon sticks and tonka beans on a baking tray, and then baking them at a medium, slow temperature to toast them; throughout the kitchen, and slowly throughout the house, this almond aroma spreads, a little gourmand but very bitter and not nauseating. The cinnamon arrives immediately, warm, and pungent, but not the sweetish cinnamon we are all used to. For example, you don’t feel the cinnamon-like in "Potion (Eau de Parfum) | Dsquared²", where the spicy aspect is very marked. Here it is already wrapped in a cloak of toasted tonka, on a sensual background of white musk, what we learned about with #ashley musk.
I let some time pass, and the cinnamon reduces its potency, leaving room for the tonka. Its smell has caramelized facets, with tones of vanilla and almond. Sometimes I also find touches of hay and tobacco. However, tonka produces a smooth, very warm, and balsamic olfactory result. If I smell the box where I sprayed the perfume, I get alcoholic scents, almost reminiscent of the Amaretto di Saronno liqueur. The skin mitigates this nuance, which with its warmth and chemistry highlights the notes of tonka and the slightly animalic and salty notes of amber. Now the essence also takes on sweetish tones, which override the more bitter ones, while always remaining on the border between the masculine and the feminine, never too saccharine or saccharine and not even virile or rude.
Minutes, and hours pass, and the softness of musk and vanilla emerge in all their splendour. The fragrance takes on powdery, powdery and musky nuances. Now it’s a skin scent, but its warmth and delicate sweetness can be perceived if you get close to the places where it was sprayed. Clean and powdery is the last trail.
Tonka Musk is not intrusive, despite having an important character. In its evolution, it touches accords of almonds, coumarins, and caramel, as well as musk. I would say that both the duration and the projection are moderate, and those accustomed to the extraordinary performance of the original might be disappointed. But those who love intimate perfumes will appreciate this essence. If used in the cold seasons, in the autumn and winter months, the perfume can be worn both during the day and in the evening. It is good for going to work, or for dinner or an evening event. Did I like it? Yes, it did not disappoint my expectations, and I have not regretted the purchase.
I wrote the review based on a bottle I have owned since April 2024 (BC 3501268A, PD 2021-09).
-Elysium
Most Of Me Is A Dream
If you search with the subject “Ferré for men”, you will get two corresponding perfumes with that name, but completely disjoined from each other. I’m talking about "Gianfranco Ferré for Man / Gianfranco Ferré Homme (Eau de Toilette) | Gianfranco Ferré" and "Ferré for Men (Eau de Toilette) | Gianfranco Ferré". The first is historical, perhaps the progenitor. It dates back to 1986 and was produced by Diana De Silva; it is a virile, opulent perfume, with very accentuated leathery and chypre features, typical of when oakmoss was allowed and used in profusion. In those years, Italian fashion designers could be counted on one hand, and Ferré was among them, along with Armani, Valentino, Krizia, Versace, and Gucci. The last one, however, dates back to 2006 and was the first produced from the collaboration with the ITF group; That trend of masculine perfumes influenced it with an androgynous and unisex impetus, lightened and softened by a generous touch of velvety and powdery flowers. If I had to trace its olfactory journey, I would place it among the non-linear, a perfume that opens with hints of lipstick, then moves on to those of baby talcum, and finally closes with a soapy musk accord. Lipstick-like, creamy, and buttery are the nuances perceived among the initials accords, however not as marked as in "Dior Homme (2005) | Dior".
The opening is initially fresh, green, fruity and citrusy, but elusive, and very ephemeral. The powdery notes of iris reach my nose clearly, initially used here in the form of leaves. The blend of iris leaves and lavender creates a soft, rounded, creamy scent. Unfortunately, I cannot taste the sweet and sour nuances of pineapple, not in a frank way as #Aventus taught us. The lipstick effect does not last long, so don’t be scared by this initial scent and don’t focus only on its opening. As announced at the beginning, Ferré For Men very quickly leaves behind the typical lipstick accords to move towards shades more similar to baby talcum, flowery, pink, which is very reminiscent of the smell of Felce Azzurra talcum powder.
The heart notes should be mostly floral, but not all flowers are perceived in the same way. For example, the rose is beautiful, clean, dry, not gelatinous, never opulent, mixed with the dusty root of the iris and the greenish reflections of the geranium. More calm, however, are the notes of orange blossom or jasmine, tamed here. Overall, the heart is powdery but never too slender towards the female gender. It maintains that sense of cleanliness, which gives a sensation of freshness to those who wear it or those who feel it up close. I must recognize that the master perfumer Pierre Bourdon knew how to mix several ingredients, maintaining the perfume at an elegant and light level, well-mannered, almost elusive and imperceptible.
Finally, a new movement brings the perfume towards musky scents. It is in this last phase that the animalic notes of oakmoss and white musk are felt. Now the soapy musk aspects predominate in the perfume. Woody notes are almost missing, added to prolong the duration, as are the earthy ones of vetiver and patchouli. Their presence must be infinitesimal compared to the quantities used for coumarins or musks. Despite the mix of vanilla and tonka, the cologne is never too sweet or nauseating, maintaining a soft and light profile. Yet, this bizarre perfume with feminine traits maintains a classic, elegant, discreet and masculine character to the core.
Ferré For Men is an intimate, discreet perfume, and is suitable for those events where you don’t need to be noticed or the centre of attention. It is a ceremonial perfume, perfect for the groom, for a private dinner, or a gallant event. Alas, on my skin it doesn’t shine in terms of performance. My sense of smell gets used to it too quickly and I lose track of it after a couple of hours. However, I like what it offers me during that period, it makes me feel good, and it gives me serenity. Its delicacy makes it suitable for any time of day, evening or night. it’s a perfume that smells of spring, and this is the best time to wear it. If you feel more comfortable wearing lighter perfumes that will appeal to you and only those close to you, similar to "Dior Homme (2005) | Dior" and "Infusion d'Homme (Eau de Toilette) | Prada", you should try Ferre for Him.
I formulated my impressions based on a bottle I’ve owned since Nov 2015 (BC 11E14AH1, PD 2014-11).
-Elysium
The opening is initially fresh, green, fruity and citrusy, but elusive, and very ephemeral. The powdery notes of iris reach my nose clearly, initially used here in the form of leaves. The blend of iris leaves and lavender creates a soft, rounded, creamy scent. Unfortunately, I cannot taste the sweet and sour nuances of pineapple, not in a frank way as #Aventus taught us. The lipstick effect does not last long, so don’t be scared by this initial scent and don’t focus only on its opening. As announced at the beginning, Ferré For Men very quickly leaves behind the typical lipstick accords to move towards shades more similar to baby talcum, flowery, pink, which is very reminiscent of the smell of Felce Azzurra talcum powder.
The heart notes should be mostly floral, but not all flowers are perceived in the same way. For example, the rose is beautiful, clean, dry, not gelatinous, never opulent, mixed with the dusty root of the iris and the greenish reflections of the geranium. More calm, however, are the notes of orange blossom or jasmine, tamed here. Overall, the heart is powdery but never too slender towards the female gender. It maintains that sense of cleanliness, which gives a sensation of freshness to those who wear it or those who feel it up close. I must recognize that the master perfumer Pierre Bourdon knew how to mix several ingredients, maintaining the perfume at an elegant and light level, well-mannered, almost elusive and imperceptible.
Finally, a new movement brings the perfume towards musky scents. It is in this last phase that the animalic notes of oakmoss and white musk are felt. Now the soapy musk aspects predominate in the perfume. Woody notes are almost missing, added to prolong the duration, as are the earthy ones of vetiver and patchouli. Their presence must be infinitesimal compared to the quantities used for coumarins or musks. Despite the mix of vanilla and tonka, the cologne is never too sweet or nauseating, maintaining a soft and light profile. Yet, this bizarre perfume with feminine traits maintains a classic, elegant, discreet and masculine character to the core.
Ferré For Men is an intimate, discreet perfume, and is suitable for those events where you don’t need to be noticed or the centre of attention. It is a ceremonial perfume, perfect for the groom, for a private dinner, or a gallant event. Alas, on my skin it doesn’t shine in terms of performance. My sense of smell gets used to it too quickly and I lose track of it after a couple of hours. However, I like what it offers me during that period, it makes me feel good, and it gives me serenity. Its delicacy makes it suitable for any time of day, evening or night. it’s a perfume that smells of spring, and this is the best time to wear it. If you feel more comfortable wearing lighter perfumes that will appeal to you and only those close to you, similar to "Dior Homme (2005) | Dior" and "Infusion d'Homme (Eau de Toilette) | Prada", you should try Ferre for Him.
I formulated my impressions based on a bottle I’ve owned since Nov 2015 (BC 11E14AH1, PD 2014-11).
-Elysium
It Makes Madmen And Criminals
Suppose you are interested in knowing how I discovered this perfume brand. In that case, I recommend you read the introduction I wrote for "Revolution Man - Carbon Pulse | Revolution" produced by the same brand. Limitless Noir was the third piece to conquer the favourites podium. Its bottle is pure black and opaque, reminiscent of cooled volcanic lava and onyx, something alien and mysterious. Smelling the dispenser, you perceive that evident characteristic of the so-called blue, aromatic, woody, watery perfumes, with a strong molecular tendency. Once worn, my sensations are confirmed, or rather, strengthened.
Limitless Noir has a sparkling opening full of bright, rather spicy peppermint and opiate mugwort with supposedly narcotizing characteristics that give balsamic reflections to the lemon zest, creating a citrus and mentholated effect. In the past, it was believed that mugwort, or wormwood, made people crazy and criminals, transforming men into savages. The softer and creamier notes of bergamot, soapy and perceptible, balance the sour ones of lemon, giving the opening a deep freshness that differs from being a classic cologne based on neroli, orange blossom, and petitgrain. Limitless Noir is a more aromatic type of classic cologne, and from the beginning, it appears more elegant and sophisticated than a common barbershop perfume and smells fresh and fruity on a dry, woody background.
If the accord used to announce the perfume might appear banal, obvious, or semi-classical, the central one turns out to be a surprise. Slowly, on the parts of the body affected by the application, the green and herbaceous accords of the foliage emerge, among which a dried dark lavender stands out which recalls straw, basically fougère, intertwined with the pink and dark scents of the pelargonium leaves. Instead, smelled on the strip of paper, it releases hints with more flowery and fruity impulses, making the part of the lavender flower and that of a presumed tropical fruit prevail. Even if very weak, and not the protagonist, in the background I notice the presence of the pineapple that many of us have learned to know and appreciate with the advent of "Aventus | Creed". There is no trace of smoky or incensed notes, but only semi-sour fruit and aromatic flowers. In this middle phase, the perfume maintains a bluish, fresh, aromatic, and herbaceous profile.
During the drying phase, the woody edges emerge. Cedarwood, strengthened by an overdose of Iso-E Super, dominates the last wake. Even if the hand is very heavy in the woods, the fragrance remains fresh and dry even at the base. Sometimes a sweet and even slightly creamy accent emerges, typical of Amberwood, together with a touch of tonka that gives vanilla reflections. With the heat of the body, the creamy note of sandalwood also emerges, making the last longings very sensual. When it becomes a skin scent, it leaves a warm amber veil.
it’s a close-range scent that leaves a subtle hint in the air but doesn’t arouse attention. Compared to the other Revolution Man perfumes that I have tried and reviewed, this is the most intimate one, with reduced projection and longevity, a little below average. I feel it is a perfume suitable for evening and night events, usable in all seasons, and perhaps a little weak in winter. Since it is not offensive, I think you can easily wear it even during the day for the office or free time. The name Limitless Noir is misleading, and my gut feeling is that it’s inspired by "Bleu de Chanel Parfum | Chanel".
I wrote my impressions based on a bottle I have owned since March 2024.
-Elysium
Limitless Noir has a sparkling opening full of bright, rather spicy peppermint and opiate mugwort with supposedly narcotizing characteristics that give balsamic reflections to the lemon zest, creating a citrus and mentholated effect. In the past, it was believed that mugwort, or wormwood, made people crazy and criminals, transforming men into savages. The softer and creamier notes of bergamot, soapy and perceptible, balance the sour ones of lemon, giving the opening a deep freshness that differs from being a classic cologne based on neroli, orange blossom, and petitgrain. Limitless Noir is a more aromatic type of classic cologne, and from the beginning, it appears more elegant and sophisticated than a common barbershop perfume and smells fresh and fruity on a dry, woody background.
If the accord used to announce the perfume might appear banal, obvious, or semi-classical, the central one turns out to be a surprise. Slowly, on the parts of the body affected by the application, the green and herbaceous accords of the foliage emerge, among which a dried dark lavender stands out which recalls straw, basically fougère, intertwined with the pink and dark scents of the pelargonium leaves. Instead, smelled on the strip of paper, it releases hints with more flowery and fruity impulses, making the part of the lavender flower and that of a presumed tropical fruit prevail. Even if very weak, and not the protagonist, in the background I notice the presence of the pineapple that many of us have learned to know and appreciate with the advent of "Aventus | Creed". There is no trace of smoky or incensed notes, but only semi-sour fruit and aromatic flowers. In this middle phase, the perfume maintains a bluish, fresh, aromatic, and herbaceous profile.
During the drying phase, the woody edges emerge. Cedarwood, strengthened by an overdose of Iso-E Super, dominates the last wake. Even if the hand is very heavy in the woods, the fragrance remains fresh and dry even at the base. Sometimes a sweet and even slightly creamy accent emerges, typical of Amberwood, together with a touch of tonka that gives vanilla reflections. With the heat of the body, the creamy note of sandalwood also emerges, making the last longings very sensual. When it becomes a skin scent, it leaves a warm amber veil.
it’s a close-range scent that leaves a subtle hint in the air but doesn’t arouse attention. Compared to the other Revolution Man perfumes that I have tried and reviewed, this is the most intimate one, with reduced projection and longevity, a little below average. I feel it is a perfume suitable for evening and night events, usable in all seasons, and perhaps a little weak in winter. Since it is not offensive, I think you can easily wear it even during the day for the office or free time. The name Limitless Noir is misleading, and my gut feeling is that it’s inspired by "Bleu de Chanel Parfum | Chanel".
I wrote my impressions based on a bottle I have owned since March 2024.
-Elysium
A Moment In Our Life That Stands Out
If you are interested in knowing how I met this perfume, I recommend you read the introduction I wrote for "Revolution Man - Carbon Pulse | Revolution". Transcendent was the second piece to conquer my nose. Its bottle is pure white and opaque, reminiscent of glacier snow, chalk dust, something pure and immaculate. Smelling the dispenser you perceive that clear resemblance to "Aventus | Creed", the juicy and sweet pulp of the toasted pineapple, and the refined and smoky leather leave no room for doubts or uncertainties. Transcendent is influenced by Aventus. However, once worn, thanks to the warmth and chemistry of the skin, the scent takes another direction.
Transcendent is for me an aromatic-leather-woody blend with citrus and smoky undertones, and it smells like a fresh, spicy warm and welcoming scent. The opening is very fruity, with a recognizable note of semi-sweet pungent bergamot that hits you immediately with the first spray. it’s very vivid, and real, without being too synthetic. Strangely, I almost immediately smell the characteristic fruity note of pineapple, but this note is not present in its olfactory pyramid. Aventus’ DNA is stronger at this point. The notes of bergamot and supposed pineapple are overbearing, making the spicy notes of pink pepper and the herbaceous notes of sage weaker, flatter and less showy. Of the latter, you can only feel a small bite. Although they give that quirky and fun touch to the whole composition of the fruit opening. Overall, the opening is fresh and crisp, tart but not too acidic. A good start I’d say.
It doesn’t take long before the soft notes of leather and the green, smoky notes of vetiver emerge from the mix. The leather is delicate, smooth, suede-like, closer to birch bark than rough, tanned, and tarred raw leather. The vetiver used releases aromatic notes, more smoky than earthy. Transcendent acquires a notable leathery and woody effect once dried. Already in the intermediate phase, I notice the presence of a powdery touch of cocoa, or chocolate, not bitter, black, or dark, but more similar to milk chocolate. However, this note does not make the scent edible or gourmand.
The drydown of this fragrance has a leathery, woody, herbaceous, amber effect with a musky edge. Of course, lots of ambroxan and wood notes, especially amber wood but also clean patchouli. If you’re wondering, I don’t smell any trace of oud, but it’s still on the musky side and quite woody. The moss is soft and has no traces of animals.
Transcendent has moderate longevity and will last approximately 5-6 hours. Meanwhile, it will project great in the first hour or two before you smell it on your skin. After a maximum of two hours, this fragrance gets very close to the skin and becomes intimate, so only those close to you will perceive it. The sillage leaves a nice trail behind the wearer, but not too long either. All these disadvantages are not bad at all, making the perfume good for the office. The best time to wear Transcendent is warm spring and summer days, but it is a rather versatile fragrance that can easily be worn in autumn too. The only time I wouldn’t suggest wearing it would be on cold winter days as the performance and longevity won’t be as good because the citrus opening won’t be able to get through the cold temperatures. Overall, I’d say it smells like Creed Aventus, but it’s different enough to be its own thing.
I'm basing my feelings on a bottle I've owned since March 2024.
-Elysium
Transcendent is for me an aromatic-leather-woody blend with citrus and smoky undertones, and it smells like a fresh, spicy warm and welcoming scent. The opening is very fruity, with a recognizable note of semi-sweet pungent bergamot that hits you immediately with the first spray. it’s very vivid, and real, without being too synthetic. Strangely, I almost immediately smell the characteristic fruity note of pineapple, but this note is not present in its olfactory pyramid. Aventus’ DNA is stronger at this point. The notes of bergamot and supposed pineapple are overbearing, making the spicy notes of pink pepper and the herbaceous notes of sage weaker, flatter and less showy. Of the latter, you can only feel a small bite. Although they give that quirky and fun touch to the whole composition of the fruit opening. Overall, the opening is fresh and crisp, tart but not too acidic. A good start I’d say.
It doesn’t take long before the soft notes of leather and the green, smoky notes of vetiver emerge from the mix. The leather is delicate, smooth, suede-like, closer to birch bark than rough, tanned, and tarred raw leather. The vetiver used releases aromatic notes, more smoky than earthy. Transcendent acquires a notable leathery and woody effect once dried. Already in the intermediate phase, I notice the presence of a powdery touch of cocoa, or chocolate, not bitter, black, or dark, but more similar to milk chocolate. However, this note does not make the scent edible or gourmand.
The drydown of this fragrance has a leathery, woody, herbaceous, amber effect with a musky edge. Of course, lots of ambroxan and wood notes, especially amber wood but also clean patchouli. If you’re wondering, I don’t smell any trace of oud, but it’s still on the musky side and quite woody. The moss is soft and has no traces of animals.
Transcendent has moderate longevity and will last approximately 5-6 hours. Meanwhile, it will project great in the first hour or two before you smell it on your skin. After a maximum of two hours, this fragrance gets very close to the skin and becomes intimate, so only those close to you will perceive it. The sillage leaves a nice trail behind the wearer, but not too long either. All these disadvantages are not bad at all, making the perfume good for the office. The best time to wear Transcendent is warm spring and summer days, but it is a rather versatile fragrance that can easily be worn in autumn too. The only time I wouldn’t suggest wearing it would be on cold winter days as the performance and longevity won’t be as good because the citrus opening won’t be able to get through the cold temperatures. Overall, I’d say it smells like Creed Aventus, but it’s different enough to be its own thing.
I'm basing my feelings on a bottle I've owned since March 2024.
-Elysium
