War And Peace

War and Peace II opens with what I've been calling a "museum" accord. It smells old and ancient, but oddly indistinct. Theres a sort of tattered, worn, papery facet, as well as an almost dusty slightly mineralic accord, fossil-like. The opening truly does carry itself with a richly baroque austere sort of seriousness. It is the antithesis of anything playful and it feels out-of-time. It also immediately reminded me of Laxmi Dhoop incense, which I adore. I imagine this is what the inside of the pyramids probably smell of, if one was to light some laxmi dhoop. As it moves into the heart the notes become a little easier to differentiate and the smattering of animalic accords take center stage. Certainly musk, and this is about as jaw-droppingly beautiful of a musk that I've ever put my nose on. Civet also comes through loud and clear to me. Castoreum I have a tougher time identifying, but It does have a sort of slightly smoky, pleasantly "greasy" leathery texture that I can associate with Yatagan and a few other Castoreum-centric scents. Likewise, the floral component comes into view, most prominently to me is the Rose, although I imagine the Orris is essential in providing some lighter, ethereally wispy contrast to this otherwise tar-like and pitch black blend. The drydown takes ages to arrive, wearing this is a complete journey. The amount of subtle evolutions War and Peace goes through throughout the course of a day is almost inconceivable. Add to that it's seemingly reactive nature to environmental conditions and this is quite the living animal of a fragrance. Ultimately in the far, far drydown, the rose, civet and musk seem to dominate, and somehow, confusingly, through all the turmoil and roller-coaster ups and downs of War and Peace, it lands daintily in the garden of Amouage Gold. Nearly identical to me, although deeper, and more animalic. Truly, and I often find myself wasting high praise on other, more novel and cheaply thrilling scents, this is perfumery as art. There is storytelling going on here, it almost feels cheap to translate the scent experience to words. It's been a while since I've tested something this dedicated to art over fashion. Of course the caveat there is, don't expect to immediately love this or to bathe in compliments while wearing. It's akin to something like an art house film translated to fragrance, most people will find it pretentious and offputting, and you wouldn't throw it on in the background during a party, but deeply rewarding if given the right environment with the right people. Exemplary.

At the start I get a blast of fresh civet which is quickly followed by rose, incense and powder. After this there is this very strange scent accord that smells like a old Victorian house that has not been lived in for a hundred years would smell like. Or if you like the smell of a old musty smelling museum full of ancient antiquity's. After about thirty minutes this fades away and you are left with the rose and powder which starts to feel animalic. You can smell the deer musk as it announces it's presence but it is kept in check by the rose and powder. As time goes by the musk becomes more pronounced and then starts to get leathery. This is where the castoreum comes into play. So you have a scent that is rosey, musky and leathery with a slight incense like amber. Now well into the drydown after many hours you can smell a very lovely sweet ambery musky ambergris accord with a animalic tinge. This eventually turns into golden incense amber with animalic hints. Now the longevity lasts all day but the projection is well below average. This one stays quite close to, more of a personal scent for you to enjoy than anything that others will pick up on unless they are close to you. The ingredients are top notch and it does smell good if you like rosey slightly powdery musky incense tinged animalics. Though I think the first 30 minutes with that old museum like scent accord is the most challenging. I think that scent accord will be very polarizing and will put a lot of people off the scent. I like it and I think this with it's natural ingredient's will mature and get better with age.

YOU ARE NOT READY!!!... No one is ready for this. Even Russian Adam himself was not sure to release it. This has no mercy. It is dark, animalic, rough and with the potential to stick harmfully into your brain. If you are the kind of person that uses Leather Oud (Dior) splash as an aftershave, if you think Salome (Papillon) is the best go option for a beach day with the family, Maai (Bogue) it's just beautiful flowers, and Oudh Infini (Dusita) is what you use to go to bed, you may like this... This to me smells like an Old Kingdom Thrown... made of wood and leather. Vintage vibe surrounded by animalic tones with a hint of orris root and dark earthy vetiver. It could have also the reminiscence of some roses that died long time ago. Polarizing perfume for you and for others. You may like it, but I doubt others would appreciate it. Expect comments like: "you smell like an abandon warehouse" or "cat pee over your grandmother's Sunday dress"... Estrange enough, I do enjoy this kind of "observations", so to me this is a bonus. The only really negative thing about this perfume, that gets me angry, is the craziness around this brand, that force you to blind buy them if you are willing to own some of Adam's last offerings... I bought the sample set for nothing... Unacceptable!!! Uniqueness: high Scent: ?/10 (I really cannot rate it. I like much more how you feel wearing it, than the aroma itself...) Performance: high Would I buy it: Yes (I am luckily enough to own it) Would I buy it again: Yes (waiting for Part II)

War and Peace is a masterpiece, i even start to rhyme when i think of it :D So what is this perfume? This is what niche should be. Hype created? Not at all. Adams fans are looking for unique creations, and they get what they want. Shocking, dense, unique, long lasting, natural, very artistic, dark as dark perfumes should be. If you need ur blue de chanel or Office by jeremy with HQ ingredients, i suggest Bortnikoff. His style is civilized, Adam - RAW. Perfume itself doesnt really break down by notes, it creates an aura that goes in stages, and on me, there are only 2. 1) Powdery, musky, very ancient in feel amber, that has sweet, smoky, rubbery, hyrax type of smell. Its gothic, churchy aura is amazing. I have never smelled anything like this before. This stage makes me think of black velvet, or chinchilla coat. Summer night at the roof of your own castle, on the bed full of fur and velvet pillows. 2) after a few hours of 1st stage, as powder mellows down and smokiness dissipates, this is where Adams special accord from castoreum, civet ambergris and, i want to say moss, step in to the game as main player, and this is how perfume stays till the end. It is sensual, old school vibe is very calming. Longevity is about 12 hours, and i am pleased with this, since i have foreverhungryskin. Silage is not enormous, but you can always feel the presence. Max sprays would be 2 for me, and it hugs me nicely, stays with me throughout. No notes are out of place, all natural, very pleased i am an owner of this beauty.

War and Peace is an amazing unique composition that has gathered me more compliments than any other offering made by Russian Adam. He is truly a master in this one. I haven't smelled anything quite like this from any other house and neither have the people who have smelled it. I'm totally surprised by what has been created. This screams NICHE quality and anyone who knows quality ingredients will be impressed by Russian Adam. War and Peace is no exception. The scent is a rich and opulent musk followed by a soft creamy and ambery accord that sets in all throughout the background along with taif rose petals . War and Peace rounds out with the castoreum and civit leaving you with a unique composition that has people wondering if they have ever smelled this before. This is a perfect cozy night in scent by the fireplace. It's a challenging, polarizing and bold scent. Not for the faint of heart. Once you smell it though you will understand how and why it is so captivating. Amazing work! Compliments 10/10 Sillage 10/10 Scent 10/10 Uniqueness 10/10 Longevity 10/10