St. Paul's

One word only to describe this wondrous, imaginative jewel: MAGIC !!!! This has mistery and magic in every aspect of it’s development from the very start to the loooong lasting end... and then some more. I rarely ever get mesmerised by a new perfume discovery on a first whiff like I did at this occasion: walked in Bloom in Covent Garden looking for something green and summery, not looking for deep, mysterious or opulent. But as soon as several exquisitely suggested offerings by the knowledgeable and truly experienced young assistants (noses!!!) of this shop were sampled, this came as a biggest surprise as it was diametrically opposite to what I was looking for. And by Jove this house was a discovery- Ruby Wood, Pergola and St.Pauls stand out and above above anything else since I first encountered Vero Profumo and 4160 Tuesdays many years back... This one is a Koh-I-Nor in a crown of exquisiteness of niche and I can not praise it enough, and it lasts and lasts and lasts bathing one in airy golden rays of divine mystery and magic. Waste no time (or money!) on anything else if you want a quality, refinement of style and uniqueness-GO AND GET THIS GOLD while there’s time and you will thank yourself later.

I don't see this mentioned in other reviews or in the copy, but on my skin, St. Paul's behaves like a chypre. It has that bright and fizzy citrus top, the labdanum heart, and the green mossy base notes of patchouli and jasmine. All that combined with the sweetness from the incense makes for some strong old-school fruity chypre vibes. If you are a fan of both chypres and incense, this is definitely a must try. I've never personally smelled another incense chypre, and this is very well done. Outside of that, it's nice cozy and comforting scent, but I'm not getting the "wow" factor.

Sharp. Powdery. Sour. Reminds me of sweet tarts that are past their expiration date as there’s something off about this composition; a feeling of decay, a moldy wetness underneath the notes. St. Paul's is a heavy, dusty scent, and doesn’t play nice with my chemistry.

I don't understand this perfume. It's very sharp and make me feel uncomfortable.

Not a very good incense perfume, I'm afraid. At this point, a basic incense accord is neither novel nor interesting in itself, although I suppose every niche house feels like they should have at least one. The incense elements are mostly frankincense and a damp foresty myrrh that burns off, leaving a LOT of woody amber with some clashing fruit, mostly pear. I like the idea of a fruity incense, and I wish this one were better excecuted. It doesn't do anything for me, other than annoy me with its sharp woody amber drydown, so I think I shall scrub it, and find something else to wear to bed. Bummer

My skin loves all the scents of Exaltatum. St: Pauls is no exception. If incense can bubble, it bubbles on me. Good better Best.