Checkmate

Checkmate is so beautiful. It’s sweet, smoky and a bit powdery - real hit of heliotrope. It’s lasts forever, especially on clothes. I think suede is a good description rather than leather as it has a lighter daytime characteristic to it. For me, it really captures afternoon time with a father figure, suede gloves, cashmere sweater, relaxing, sipping tea. But it’s more of a presence, and lovely and creamy as well as leather hence I’d rate it as unisex (not that women can’t wear leather of course). I sprayed it on to test it on skin and bought a full bottle the next day. I wouldn’t recommend it as a blind buy but don’t be surprised if you love it once you try it.

Oooh this is good. It’s pure suede, cashmere and iris: smooth, rich and expensive. Some supporting fresh and spicy notes to add depth but the main game is the suede. Great performance. Just one of these frags that smell damn good (admittedly on the conservative side - this isn’t pushing boundaries). More masculine.

Interesting woody aromatic scent from this always under the radar house. The perfume opens with aromatic notes of cardamom and citrus. The heart is iris, heliotrope and leather. The perfume settles on a base of mostly cashmeran wood and suede with slight hints of cedar. The unisex scent has moderate to strong sillage and very good longevity. The powdery scent reminds you of a lazy fall afternoon drinking tea and playing chess in a garden or estate. Nice as usual which is to be expected from this reliable house but not hugely earth shattering. Enjoy!

I don't usually like leather, but this does something for me. I smell the smokey animalic notes for sure.

The opening was dry and powdery, with a hintly floral and animalistic spice. This then presents a larger blossoming of spice-like powderiness with a clean citrus at the top. While it was a warm, bright, dry, and powdery simultaneously, in testing this blind I was more than a little surprised what I took for spice (paprika or saffron with some green dry herbs, so I thought), it was just the leather and wood notes. That aside, I never got the impression of leather, dry and spicy powdery aromatic. Even knowing after the fact I don't get a leather impression. Much like the fragrance I don't have much else to say. While it carries its notes honestly, it also feels a bit stark. It's a bit too dry. But overall it's just too monotone, leaving more to be desired.