Fischersund No. 23

I wander through the mist of a darkening harbor, listening to the soft urgency of the gray sea, admiring the warm glowing the emanates from windows on cottages. The smell of cold smoke, smoldering herbs, mingling with brine of ocean water and the detritus along the docks, makes me think of the animistic representation of nature, where all elements embody a spirit, minerals shine with their own souls, and the atmosphere is as alive as anything with a heartbeat. There is a darkness that is profound—it at first may feel bleak, but its starkness is an outer layer that, once penetrated, gives the fruit of truth. Sometimes when we are alone, all is quiet, and there is little that can barge into our peace, the answers present themselves. No. 23 evokes many things that have brought me joy: salted licorice (the kind with ammonium chloride); spruce tips tea; balsam fir incense cones; squishing vermillion red yew berries; the aroma of freshly laid tar asphalt; allowing just a little of the biting cold inside through a cracked window, to smell and taste it; rain water meeting dry ash. It is a retreat for my mind, escorting me to my imagination, allowing me to consider a place entirely tailored for me, every corner, every sound, and every smell. This harbor, a refuge by a warm fire, allowing me to let go of all my ego's concerns. A restful time to put thoughts into words, take uninterrupted naps, listen to the sea, and let go of any pressure to feel purposeful. What a conduit for letting go. Ahh, the grit of it all, and how magical it smells.

Randomly came across this fragrance on the shelves of a coffee shop/stationery store of all places. I was intrigued by the simple utilitarian packaging of being wrapped in a bandana. I sprayed the store's tester on my arm, grabbed my latte, and went for a smoke break a few blocks away. In between sips of coffee and carcinogenic smoke inhalation, I kept holding up my wrist to my nose. No. 23 is such a beguiling scent-- I was obsessed. It reminds me of a parking lot at dusk in rural Southern California: cars idling beneath the trees, exhaust pipes emitting fumes that layer with the damp and mist of a marine layer morning. It has a sort of industrial characteristic that I can't get enough of. Another image that comes to my mind is the album cover of Bocanada by Gustavo Cerati. Great statement fragrance for the cold seasons, especially on a breezy and brisk night that requires you to pick up a light scarf on your way out the door-- hell, why not the artful bandana they used to wrap the fragrance in?

No.23 by Fischersund is one of the most unique fragrances I've ever tried, and most importantly, it smells sensational. Upon first sniff, I am taken to the cold and rainy coast of my home state Oregon. The seaweed and marine notes are prevelant, but are backed by lush pine that gives an almost petrichoric scent profile. As the scent lingers, tobacco, leather, and tar notes enter the picture. I've always described the dry down of this fragrance as smoking a cigar on the oregon coast in winter. While this scent is quite strong, it layers really well with the rest of my collection. I like to wear it with Macaque Yuzu Edition to bring in citrus and incence notes or Kalan to make it spicy. I strongly recomend No.23 to any collector looking for something unique and dark. Smell: 10 Longevity: 8 Versatility: 8 Uniqueness: 10 Value: 7 Layering compatibility: 9 Overall: 8.7

This is a truly breathtaking and evocative atmospheric fragrance. I have yet to visit Iceland, but No. 23 successfully transports me there via scent alone. It smells like standing at the water as a bracing, blustery wind whips across the fjords. The scent of tar rises up from workers repairing their boats at the docks, sparkling bergamot captures the brightness of the crisp air, a whiff of licorice in a child's sticky hand rises up and finds its way to your nose, seaweed and ambergris add unique aquatic depth, and the coniferous trees nearby lend sweet and prickly whispers of scent to this gorgeous olfactory bouquet. 10/10. I could see myself wearing this in any type of weather or season and look forward to doing so!

This is where it all started, for me. I was in Iceland with my wife and sprayed this fragrance in a local tourist shop. Even though I was surprised by the exceptionally particularity of the scent, which was a mix of black pepper and herbs, I thought it would evaporate quickly as all fragrances did (which was my impression at the time). Lo en behold, the next day I was surprised by a still very notable scent emanating from my wrist. I was convinced and started delving into the wonderful world of fragrance. Fischersund, thank you so much for opening my eyes (and nose) to fragrance. I still enjoy it regularly to this day, especially when winter starts. Highly recommended.