Dark Imagination

God. I can't stop thinking about you, dark imagination. first spray is a complete assault on the senses--asphyxiating swirls of cigarette smoke and spices. it beats you senseless with such passionate brutality. it transforms, constantly transforms and transfigures by the minute, leaving you dizzy and anesthetized, then drags your stifled, limp body through a darkened alleyway. in my mind's eye, i see tar-stained roses, smoked plum, crystalline amber, and spices placed in raw leather pouches, sewn tightly before being sold at the souq. the streets are bustling, and the last athan of the day has been called. sketchy tall figures and sultry ladies of the night emerge and settle on street corners, smoking cigarettes. i've never been to morocco, but my dad spent his twenties between casablanca and marrakech in the 80's. part of his lore is that he used to partake in some of the underground culture there, frequenting late-night cafes where they smoked hash and played cards. i gave him the sample to try, and he said, wistfully, that it transports him to that exact time and place--sans the scent of freshly brewed black coffee. full bottle for both of us.

Rose_smoking_a_cigarette_NSFW_SEXY.jpg My favorite of the Discotheque samplers. The dry rose and elegant saffron in the opening want this night to be a stately affair, but the sultry plum has other plans, and about twenty minutes later a rich smoke blooms from underneath - an ashtray, but full of Cubans and Dunhills. They promised just one glass at a wine bar but then it's 2 am on the smoking patio of a messy nightclub. The rose that started out so classy stuck around for the drydown, but now there's ash and sweat in her messy hair. Lasts all night and then some, projects about 6 feet for the first 3 hours. Also layers amazingly - I've currently tried Experimentum Crucis from ELDO (rose who's an adult film star) and Poltergeist from Heretic (rose who dips and smokes at the same time).

Surprised nobody is talking about the plum note here. It reminds me of Dior Poison (the OG) with a strong, juicy rosewater streak. The dry-down brings out a warm, grassy patchouli among rose petals. Like most of the Discotheque line, the smoky cannabis DNA is designed not simply to evoke nightlife, but to perform well with the natural scents of nightlife (cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol, and sweat). This one lasted all night between puffs of a joint and a boozy concert (psychedelic rock gone MBV, delicious). I typically stay away from rose fragrances because they can lean too "candle" or "candy" for my tastes but this one balances the "fresh off the bush" rose I like with a dark vignette.

This was the last one I tested of the Discothèque sampler. I fell in love with it immediately. It's meant to evoke 2003 Marrakesh, and I think I can pick up what they're putting down. Very floral, but tempered by smoke. It's very pungent, but does not waft through a room. I'm a smoker, so when I tried it, to me it smelled like an upscale casino (complimentary.) My husband and our roommate primarily got floral off of this. It faded pretty quickly, and the smoke filtered off into something more spicy. Rose is the strongest thing here.

Love the brand Discothèque and Dark Imagination is by far my favorite. Its potent deep dark luxurious rose wuth little hints of plum and wood. I dont think its that heavy in smoke more incense if anything. I think its very similar to Oud Satin Mood Extrait by MFK but done better in my opinion and at half the price. My wife says it reminds her if the little soaps you would find in tour grans house in the 70s and 80s. We'll worth it if you like rose