Paradise Soil

My first impression review for the full set. I may add the full post impressions later, after a week. This is hands down the best scent out of this collection. Not my fav (read other ones reviews), but the best. This is sweet, pleasant, and this pleasance comes across like blended by some top-level french master perfumer (Which Adam is not on that level, but this happened here). This is not very animalic, but it absolutely covers the urge for a great musk scent, which are in lights of Siberian Musk or Russian Musk. Although 2 times less animalic than latest Siberian Musk, but also 2 times more wearable. What creates this pleasant 10/10 french feel for this perfume? My guess is that it is refined, vintage Ylang-Ylang (Why vintage? Because it doesn't come across harsh and sharp, as usually YY does). Then it is a nice Rose, Jasmine (Probably Sambac, as it is pleasant and I don't feel indoles which may come from J Grandiflorum). And then the Tuberose with the Saffron! And this is designer-like saffron, which is absolutely good for this composition, as true proper saffron comes across strong, sour and overpowering. And my God, the cacao, cambodi oud and mysore sandalwood do absolute freaking wonders in here! Hands down, out of this collection, this scent will be the most hunted one. This one will become the next Walimah or Siberian Musk. This makes this purchase worth it. And well, my developed nose doesn't take it very animalic, whereas I know that for such pleasure and distinction, only the right level of animalic scents can give me such amazing feeling. It is like a cigar, if you are a novice, a strong cuban can do bad for you, but when you are advanced in the game, those are the ones that make you feel all its notes and complexity. And I would love if anyone next in the comments will tell me, what is the niche scent that this reminds me of. But please, don't take it offensive, it is not to say that this is not unique or designer like, it is just that the appealing part in here is done on a french-master-perfumer level. P.S. Post review ranking of animalicness for the collection from most animalic to least animalic, for you, my animalic-lover perverts: 1. Royal Barn (1 and 2 are interchangeable) 2. Forbidden Flower 3. Cuirtis 4. Creme De La Creme 5. Paradise Soil P.S.2. I hope that Ramsey will get his hands on all these perfumes to do a review.

This fragrance opens up with the most gorgeous burst of white and yellow florals, chocolatey musk, and jammy, almost gourmand rose. It is one of the most stunning openings I've experienced in modern perfumery. There is also an undercurrent of saffron, which combines with the musk to give a clean skin or expensive purse vibe. As the fragrance develops a kind of bright tuberose becomes apparent, gradually becoming centre stage, which can be slightly bubble gummy at times, but this is perfectly balanced with the emergence of a wet soil note. At this stage of the development I am often reminded of a great red fruit and forest floor-dominated Burgundy Grand Cru, like Clos de la Roche, which can also have a raw meat component, which resembles the musk here. It is a truly haunting beauty that hovers around you for hours. As it dries down the florals soften and the Cambodian oud comes out with the creamy sandalwood, the mid notes still present, but gradually transitioning into something leathery and sweet. This fragrance has an old world field about it, bringing to mind classic Hollywood glamour, while also seeming like a Bortnikoff in its emphasis on the florals, but far more vintage than anything from Bortnikoff, who focusses more on modern scents with high quality ingredients rather than recreating a nostalgia for the past. This is by far the worst floral of the collection, but the florals are so well encapsulated by the sensual musk, chocolate, and soil notes that it never comes off as being anything but perfectly unisex. It is not as complex as Royal Barn or Cuirtis, yet it is easier to wear, and the animallics come across as vintage, clean and sexy, with a slight dustiness, as opposed to challenging in any way. The scent of Paradise?

My personal favorite from the collection. You do have to have a keen appreciation and open-mind towards the white florals forwardness of this fragrance to appreciate this. I think many seem to suggest that anything that smells extremely pungent, animalic, fecal or gladiator-esqe (etc) is automatically the superior fragrance (as you can see in the rankings of this collection itself, where the two most wearable fragrances in CDC and PS are usually at the bottom), but I digress. isunnychaudhry said it perfectly, that this fragrance serves to show how you can blend musks in a masterful composition without the musk itself being center stage. The musk here is not animalic. It adds a dry/powdery dimension, slightly dirty/dusky comfort and helps bring these beautiful florals to life. But not in a clean, modern white floral composition type of way. This is a nostalgic fragrance; something that one with a grandparent or great-grandparent may vividly recall. The early 20th century old fashion blends with real musks circulating much of Eastern Europe and the Arab world, which were often paired with notes such as jasmine. Hence, I don't think that Russian Adam's choice to use jasmine as the center stage here is accidental. The oud is aged and buttery. I'm actually really excited to see how this one changes with time. RE: performance concerns - I did one spray to my inner elbow, and could smell it through the clothes I was wearing on top for about half the day.

Now THIS is a creation I can get behind, Paradise Soil is an absolute beauty, oozing with delicious elegance and character. This chocolatey-floral delight is like nothing I’ve ever smelled before, really pushing the boundary of what niche perfume can be - I love it. The cacao is actually the most prominent note to my nose, its beautifully sweet and creamy chocolatey facets tempered by the dark and inviting earthiness it also holds. Beautifully thick, indolic white florals and tuberose and Jasmine dance alongside the sharp, urinous allure of natural deer musk and oud. Before it becomes too skanky however, copious amounts of sandalwood lend to the soft creamy nature. I think this is absolutely brilliant, it’s been a long time since something has wowed me like this. It definitely won’t be for everyone, but that’s the nature of a house such as Areej Le Doré. This is a truly unique and innovative creation which really deserves so much more attention.

For those who can't smell the musk and are overpowered by the florals, I understand but disagree. The florals lift the musk and vise versa, but having smelled raw Siberian deer musk, the musk in this perfume comes through powerfully. This is a buttery, waxy, chocolatey, incredibly floral musky fragrance with a pinch of saffron for me. It's so opulent it makes one hungry. For those overwhelmed or initially dissatisfied, I felt the same way. However, after spending time with it, it has quickly become my favorite fragrance I have ever smelled. Don't shy away from the price tag, if you love rose, jasmine, musk, and cacao this is your fragrance. The notes blend into something greater than the sum of its ingredients but not so much so you can't pull out certain scents. It's a divisive fragrance for certain, but the fact that this isn't sold out and the star of the publics opinion is beyond me.