Jusch1995

My story with the Enigma started back in 2019 when I ordered a sample of the Colognes. To begin with, I love Coca Cola. The idea that a fragrance can olfactorically recreate this note that you get when you open the caffeinated cult drink, I found exciting and fascinating whereupon I waited with appropriate anticipation for the arrival of my sample.

When I sprayed this full of expectations I could actually only be disappointed and well so it was. The top note had a sharp after-shave note, the cola came through, but was rather that of an effervescent tablet and was almost completely covered by the shaving foam-like shell. Quickly I asked a few friends what they think about it and all agreed: old man scent, nothing special, etc.. From this event shaped I ticked off the experiment Enigma sadly but humbly.

We fast forward 2 years to the year 2021. one relaxed evening after showering I look in my sample box, in which mitlerweile far too many fragrances have spread to find something I can test. My gaze falls on the Enigma. With a mental "Nee that was nothing" he moves on. But somehow he managed to make me give him another chance. With little hope I sprayed him. Immediately the cola was there this time. I think to myself, "Hmm maybe he is something for you this time, you have also developed further" But something still bothered me. I run out to my girlfriend. She says directly to me "Disgusting you smell like grandpa, what is that?" My initial euphoria was stomped right back into the ground. So Enigma finally completed...

In the course of the evening, however, something happened. The after-shave note receded completely and a vanilla came up which, together with the cola note, created an addictive drydown that I just couldn't let go of. "I have to have this one" my unreasonable brain told me. "I don't care if I smell like an old man, I'm wearing this scent for me" etc. One knows these sayings.

By chance, I came across the Pour Homme a few days later. I knew that the ratings are better again, but also heard that this is even older and less modern and had therefore already excluded him. Blindly I ordered me this (admittedly) expensive fragrance and hoped for the best (If he does not suit me I can still sell him again, I thought).

When he arrived the first surprise. The Pour Homme bottle is much nicer than I thought. The gold package, the lid studded with black Swarowski stones, all beautiful and exclusive. Slightly hesitant I put with my index finger the first spray on my wrist.
What happened next was pure magic:

No aftershave note, no old man. A sensationally coordinated mix of bergamot, helitrope and the said cola note spreads. A fragrance DNA that not only drew me directly under its spell, but immediately showed what real perfume art is. Like a magical veil, this fragrance lays itself over the wearer and accompanies him with its benevolent boozy note that melts more and more with the vanilla in the drydown. This is it, I thought to myself, this is my fragrance. Many I have smelled so far, but that is my new number 1. Further wearing has only confirmed this. Durability: overwhelming without being annoying, Sillage: Pleasant and projecting (told me, you can badly assess yourself).

Have I now found my Mcguffin and no longer need other fragrances? Yep, the thing with Enigma is, it's so mystical and magical, it deserves to be worn on special occasions in life and I want to do that. This fragrance (in my opinion) is not made to wear it as a dayli to the office but lives to create and solidify memories.
Memories that there are only a few times in life, which are something very special and should be underlined with an equally special fragrance.

Enigma reflects all the passion I always like to feel in my fragrance journey and is a reason why I love this hobby so much. Here everything is right, the fragrance, the bottle, the fantastic name (in Europe (Creation-E is worlds worse) and simply the mood that is transported.

Who has made it this far to read, I can only urgently put this masterpiece to the heart (Better but test before and not buy so blindly like me :D). And yes please also test the Pour Homme, as described above replaces (for me) the cologne in no way the original formulation. It's worth it.

What more can one actually say about this fragrance? A legend in a ruby red, almost mystical guise. A fragrance that has inspired and influenced so many other fragrances like no other before it. Longevity and sillage are out of this world. Anyone interested in niche perfumes will not pass this masterpiece.

Francis Kurkdjian proves once again that perfumes can go much further than olfactory pleasure, in that he creates a fragrance that is as innovative as it is unique and inspiring as few have been before him.
This is perfumery as an art form, transcending the senses, loud and impressive, and to everyone's amazement, hardly polarizing.

A masterpiece that is incomparable in its kind. There are now many imitators, but nothing comes close to the original.

PS: I am definitely on Team Extrait in the Extrait - Parfums debate, as I find this even more rounded and successful

Ambre Tabac is a little secret weapon that is no longer so secret. With this fragrance, the name stands for itself. It is very sweet and perfectly combines the eponymous notes of amber and tobacco, creating a very balanced and well-rounded image. The scent is very reminiscent of Parfums de Marly's Oajan or Kilian's Angel Share, but has enough originality to not pass for doupe. The even more present alcohol note makes it edgier and more characterful.

Angels Share (Also a great fragrance) works like sien charming brother and will certainly like the masses better but works against Ambre Tabac somewhat flatter and 1-dimensionaler.
Oajan, on the other hand (also a dream of a fragrance) is clearly cinnamon and Christmas and in my opinion only for the deepest winter properly suitable.

Ambre Tabac has just this perfect blend of extraordinary presence and pleasant sweetness that clings to the wearer like a coat. I discovered it by chance through a sample addition, because he was sent to me between many other samples (which I wanted to test for a long time) as a free addition and he was immediately the surprising star of the round. I knew immediately that I must have this fragrance.

The durability and sillage are really top notch. The fragrance is still the next day on the clothes very well perceptible.
It is rounded off by a beautiful, quite classic bottle, which inspires especially with its beautiful ornamented lid.

The fragrance is perfect for a more discreet evening or colder days in autumn.

A fragrance for the modern gentleman. If you are looking for a beautiful character fragrance and like sweet scents, this fragrance is a perfect companion.

Xerjoffs Naxos opens surprisingly fruity with citrusy, slightly sweet notes. However, the base of tobacco is already noticeable, which creates a nice saturation and attention. However, the fragrance is clearly dominated by its heart notes: Honey.

It's not quite as engaging as Killian's Back to Black, but it's still unmistakably the main component of the composition. It is remarkable that the contrasting ingredients of tobacco and honey join hands and together create an incredibly harmonious symphony of scents.
The longevity and silage of this fragrance is out of this world. It's certainly one of the strongest scents you can use, but it never feels overbearing or forced. The scent is very sweet, but never one dimensional, even though it stays relatively constant. It wears well in everyday wear, but is also suitable for upscale gentlemen in nighttime settings. There is no denying the well-known similarity to Mugler's Pure Havanne, but in direct comparison, Naxos seems much creamier, more sophisticated and is also used much more frequently. The beautiful presentation typical for Xerjoff rounds off the great overall picture.

A fragrance that is certainly a master class and a reference in its field. Xerjoff has succeeded in creating an absolutely exceptional fragrance that is definitely worth its price.

Midnight in Paris opens with a gentle citrus note, unobtrusive but still easily noticeable. The familiar interplay of bergamot and lemon works perfectly and stands out from the later, richer notes without acting as a foreign body.

The first deeper leather notes are already perceptible, which become more prominent in the course of the drydown and are caressed by the tonka bean. The citrus notes move in the further course of the fragrance more and more in the background, but never disappear completely.
The overall effect is very powdery and lush. He floats above things and accompanies his / her wearer without drawing too much attention to himself / herself.
Accordingly, longevity and sillage are only average, which, however, due to the nature of the fragrance does not fall further into the weight.
Due to its unobtrusive nature, it is perfect for a cozy evening on the couch with your loved one.
The fragrance is not intrusive, it will certainly appeal to many people, does not carry much risk for the wearer and that is exactly where its strength lies. Everything seems to come from one source and is very well thought out.
What stands out is the wonderful design of the bottle, which is in a class of its own with its range of colours, shape and the wonderful idea of the sky. It is always fun to take it off the shelf, put it in the light and let the colors play.
Unfortunately, the fragrance is no longer produced, which is reflected in the price. The fact that the fragrance is no longer so easy to get, however, reinforces the mystical aura that surrounds him.

At the price it was when it was released, this fragrance was an unqualified almost ridiculously good recommendation. Even today, it's a great fragrance, but can quickly become very expensive. But through the beautiful bottle you get not only a beautiful fragrance, but a small work of art with a great concept.