Costume National Homme

Firstly, this perfume isn't beast mode in terms of longevity. It lasts for over 8 hours, but the dry-down is surprisingly soft and light. Only during the first few hours, when the clove and cinnamon are prominent, can you consider it strong, albeit not room-filling. However, that's not as crucial because this perfume has a unique beauty to it. It begins with a deep, realistic sweetness as the fruit and spices blend together in a festive way, evoking the aroma of hot spiced plums or dried fruit. This initial phase is very strong and Christmassy. As the sweetness fades, a background of wood emerges while the spice remains prominent. The scent is reminiscent of a log cabin filled with bowls of clove and cinnamon. Eventually, the spices dissipate, leaving behind a long dry-down of creamy sandalwood and a hint of amber/leather from the labdanum. In terms of wearability, the spices give this perfume a strong mature/masculine edge, making it best suited to a 35-45 year old man. However, I wouldn't let age restrictions stop me or anyone else from enjoying it. The opening also has a Christmas/Winter spice vibe, making it suitable for colder months. While the dry-down is season-neutral and might even benefit from warmer weather, using it in extreme heat isn't recommended. Overall, this perfume's quality is exceptional for a designer fragrance, with hyper-realistic spices and minimal synthetic notes. My only concern is that the strength drops off significantly after the initial 2-3 hours, leaving behind a soft skin-scent and diminishing the impact of the spices.

🚫 Seriously, I'm underwhelmed by this perfume - it was a blind buy that didn't pay off for me. I sense that some of the glowing reviews might be exaggerated. Trust my advice and skip this one; you won't regret it. 🤢 After trying it out, I'm left with an unpleasant aftertaste. The bitter cardamom note dominates the scent. Unfortunately, since I've already removed the foil, I'm stuck with this disappointment.

One of the most exceptional perfumes!

Received this batch (9151A) and retested the perfume after experiencing it a few years ago in a boutique. I had initially loved it, but my companions at that time found it overwhelming. The scent lingered with me all day. Unfortunately, the version I received today is not the same as the one I tried previously - it seems to have been reformulated, like many other perfumes these days!

The scent is reminiscent of pure thyme, with a medicinal quality that's not entirely unpleasant - it could potentially be beneficial when one is feeling under the weather or struggling to breathe.