Crimson Veil

Sampling one of the most recent two releases from Gallagher Fragrances, Crimson Veil, a fresh, spicy, nuanced blend of berries, pepper, rose, leather, incense, and oakmoss, sort of a spiritual cousin of the now-discontinued O’Fraiche and Rose All Dae. It’s fruity and sweet, a wee bit tart, yet sort of spicy, grounded in resins, rose, and woods, a bit like a fougere that replaces lavender with rose and fruits, quite versatile and classy, a unisex signature scent that still feels like something special to wear out, with a masculine base yet feminine top, a really neat blend that’s sort of an instant classic from the house, in a very good way. It’s also familiar and comforting in a way, not specifically in the sense that I’ve smelled it before, but that it comes together in a really cozy way. Part of the main collection, it’s EDP concentration and priced at $125 for 50ml, very reasonable in the current market, as with the rest of the house, sold via the house site and great boutiques like Perfumology. It performs quite well on me, and overall, I find the scent to be quite compelling. It’s now in the mix of a few scents that I’m strongly considering buying from this house, as it’s been some time since I’ve purchased a bottle from them. 8 out of 10

With a name like Crimson Veil, I expected something rich and velvety, and I was thrown off by a summer release. My assumptions about the name were wrong, and the perfume is an excellent choice for this time of year. Instead of a lush velvet drape, Crimson Veil is a sheer colored curtain. However, its presence holds its ground, and isn't transient. Crimson Veil is fresh and lively at the top, bright but not sharp. At first, I think of dry forests in warm, sunny midday. Berries and Leather notes develop but don't overtake, as Gallagher does fresh scents well. The character is balanced and clean. There's a VERY slightly candied feel (you know what I mean if you've tried Mists of Time). I hesitate to even mention it, because it doesn't evoke sweetness. It creates a bridge between the elements of nature - the berries, the stones, the forest woods and floor. This is a unisex fragrance, but if I have to choose a traditionally leaning side, it might lean masculine. It's robust as all Gallagher fragrances are, but it's not a sledgehammer. Although the dose is always to be considered. As a woman, I'll gladly wear this, along with other Gallagher favorites like O'Fraiche and Mists of Time.

I was pleased to find this isn't a loud fruit fragrance, but primarily peppery and slightly fresh. After a few minutes, it develops a sort of soft and spicy shaving-cream quality.

I get the comparison to Aventus, but the rose and the fruits are dominant and making it kind of the way i would have imagined Aventus for her smelling.

Dry down is a nice sweet rose. 7/10