Catoblepas

Shortly after spraying this on for the day, I got my partner to take a whiff, and his first impression was that this is “smokey and fruity.” That’s a succinct way to describe it off the bat, but in my opinion this is the most complex of the five Grimoire offerings. Reading the notes, I had a feeling this would be lower down the list of what I would enjoy from this collection, but right away I was struck by how complex and refined this is. The top notes are what made me most hesitant, but I am pleasantly surprised to find that they provide a charming earthy tone. I believe the cherimoya brings through the delectable fruitiness that is both sweet and somewhat tropical, while the spices create the impression of wandering through an unfamiliar spice market, surrounded by produce and wares from far off places. This top layer brings me back to the sensation I experienced when I sampled Todorac, where there was an element of liquid booziness woven through the composition - I can’t even begin to understand why I’m experiencing that now, but nonetheless it’s delightful. The combination of middle notes is absolutely beautiful. There’s something very special about the incense and rose together; it brings a touch of romanticism to this scent that you wouldn’t expect. This isn't a new or unique duo by any means, but it's rendered in a way that feels divine. The orris adds a soft, powdery veil that gives elegance and emotional distance, while the coffee and calamus create a robust depth. This heart forms an atmosphere that feels meditative and timeless, like smoke rising through the still air of a dimly lit temple. The base is very dense: balsamic sweetness, tar-like smokiness and a leathery edge that I find comforting. Cedar keeps everything dry and poised. When inhaling deeply, a metallic current travels up the back of the nose and further into the throat - and this is where I clearly understand the perfumer’s note (check the website) that the myrrh lends a blood-like quality that cuts through the heaviness. It might sound off-putting to some, but to me it’s thrilling! It breathes life into the creation. Add all of this together and I am struggling to find the right words to describe this perfume as a whole. It’s both spiritual and corporeal, restrained yet emotional. There’s a quiet melancholy that reminds me of paintings from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, where themes of inner struggle, spiritual unease, and isolation are expressed through beauty. Dark concepts captured in sublime ways. Catoblepas is the olfactory version of that experience.