Albatross

Albatross is one of the few aquatics that I actually truly enjoy from the first sniff. The way it smells is just so different than other aquatic perfumes that I have experienced. For me, it conveys an image of walking on a quiet beach in cold weather and you then get a whiff of the salt air intermingled with the smell of marine shell animals and sea soaked pieces of woody flotsam. I feel happy when I smell this. I enjoy it such that I was willing to buy a bottle straight off but alas... the longevity of this scent does not do it justice. I can barely smell it beyond an hour! Skin chemistry perhaps? And neither does it project much (not a criteria of import for me). It is a quite a shame as Albatross is truly unique. I may however get a 15ml for further testing in other seasons as I'm not willing to give up yet. In summary, scent is great (9/10); Longevity (3/10). However if your budget permits, you should definitely give it a try as your skin may be better.

Albatross - the splendor of the ocean, deep, dark, and ethereal. Albatross by House of Matriarch (Christi Meshell) is one of the genre's most distinctive scents. It is dark, dense, and true to reality, with a leitmotif of salty deep ocean, distant woodlands and pines. It conjures up thoughts of the eponymous albatross soaring above the crashing waves alongside a marine vessel encrusted with barnacles and bathed in the salty waters of the stormy ocean. Albatross has an opaque, gloomy, oceanic depth, where the marine environment can be senses in the form of a neverending sea breeze, vegetation along the coast and driftwood, which is intimately linked to the ocean. 🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸🔶🔸 🔹Main note: Sea Notes 🔹Author: Christi Meshell 🔹Launched: 2015

I love this! I just wish it projected better after an hour or so. I'm not one to respray all day. Similar to oud mineral but this has so much more going on! There's a floral or orange note hiding in the background that gives it some life. Again, something I wish I could smell all day but it doesn't last more than a couple hours before completely becoming a skin scent. Still love the smell though. I'm gonna savor my travel size. One thing I love about matriarch is that all her stuff comes in affordable(ish) 10 or 15ml sizes. Much appreciated

Albatross is a mishmash of some interesting notes, all forming a really neat aquatic. It reminded me ever so slightly of BPAL’s Calico Jack. That one is a little more complicated, though. All the notes listed here are basically discernible and light. They merge virtually perfectly into a very soft, summer scent after an hour or so. Soft, decent longevity, wearable anywhere at anytime. Very nice, but not sure I’d buy due to the price tag.

This is really interesting stuff! I live at the coast and Albatross really capture the raw energy of being close to the ocean. Not a beachy, sunny vibe, but more like rocks, drift wood and rough weather. This and toukka ta tao is the only from matriarch bottle worthy for me. This is a masterpiece!

You are taking a nap on the beach in Southern France.. just close enough to the ocean so the tide tickles your toes. Something hits your foot waking you up. It's a message in a bottle. You pull the cork. This is the smell of that cork.

I've lived majority of my life in Western Washington by Puget Sound waterfront. I will be moving away from PNW for the next several years and I wanted something to remind me of home. After reading all the reviews stating this scent is evocative of the Pacific Northwest coast, I decided to blind buy the scent. Albatross is a delicate scent that predominantly smells of pine-like driftwood without much of anything else. I do not get any salty or aquatic vibe (other than the fact that the wood is a driftwood). In fact, I would rearrange the main accords to woody >> aromatic > salty >> marine. There is no development of the scent, and linear from the moment it is sprayed to the last sniff (maybe the saltiness is more prominent during the first few minutes). Here is how I would imagine the life of the driftwood that is Albatross: it's a moderate sized piece of wood that drifted in the ocean for a decent amount of time to resemble a driftwood but the core remained intact with scent of original wood seeping out. Before completing its transformation into a true driftwood, it washed ashore a dozen or so years ago, and sat out in the PNW weather - mostly of drizzly rain, and occasional months of warm summer, washing all the trace of the "ocean" (fishy, seaweed smell) it acquired except for the hint of saltiness. It was then picked up by a collector living in a dry inland (maybe SoCal) who once again, washed it clean of any remaining oceanic smell and put in on display in a sterile white-washed living room as a decoration. And the smell of driftwood in Albatross is the smell of that wood. Although slightly different imagery, I agree with nterdite's review in that it "does not bring to mind the sea... nowhere as 'wet' as someone would expect... it's really all about the sky high over the sea where the albatross flies." This fragrance lacks sillage or longevity, perhaps due to the lack of a backbone note such as musk or oud, though I do not know if it would still have this clean driftwood scent with those addition. The sharp but ethereal smell of driftwood fades within 2-3 hours, and afterwards, is only present as a fleeting reminder. Even immediately after the spray, the smell does not travel much further than a few feet from the body. Just words of caveat: The performance might be affected by the current weather in Washington where it is cool, rainy, and damp, perhaps negatively affecting the performance. I would recommend this for cool summer, warm fall, mostly during day time (hopefully the heat helps with the performance of the fragrance)If anyone has been to the cold, damp, dirty (not full of trash, but of sea life such as seaweeds and shellfish) beaches of the PNW (especially Puget Sound waterfronts) and not the dry warm beaches (i.e. in SoCal), they would understand what I am trying to convey here. I would recommend this scent for cool summer, or warm fall days. Day time would be preferable, as the heat will hopefully augment the performance. I personally wear this kind of cool scent in Spring for the similar reason why I wouldn't wear warm scent such as Green Irish Tweed in fall. Albatross is a decent "artsy" scent with somewhat poor performance that maybe slightly overpriced for what it is. Unfortunately for me, it does not remind me of the PNW; maybe just something that once belonged there. If anyone has been to the cold, damp, dirty (not full of trash, but of sea life such as seaweeds and shellfish) beaches of the PNW (especially Puget Sound waterfronts) and not the dry warm beaches (i.e. in SoCal), they would understand what I am trying to convey here. I can understand why the creators did not want to make a scent that smells like a wood with stringent iron-like seaweed partially dried on it, but oddly enough, that was exactly what I was hoping.

Albatross is a light woody-salty fresh scent that smells a lot like Tom Ford's Oud Minerale (OM) & it was released 2 years before OM! I can literally use my OM review to review Albatross! I will put my sentences from my OM review that described Albatross in quotation marks When I first sprayed Albatross, it smelled like a woody incense & sea note's fresh & light saltiness. As if it is "a combination of Armani's AdG Profumo's fresh saltiness & Lalique's Encre Noire's (incensy) woodiness. It's smells almost like a lightly salted flanker of CdG 2 Man". It's a really good sea-themed scent. It feels like a walk by the beach on a winter morning "It is a safe release but the scent is rather quite familiar; & is not a very unique smell." Don't be deceived by the exotic notes: drift wood, corks, & cottonwood. In comparison to TF OM, Albatross is lighter & fresher compared to OM's wood accord-dominated scent. However, at $330, this is absolutely not worth the full asking price, especially with a performance of a $30 fragrance: average longevity & projection. Overall, a good fresh woody scent that's extremely, exceptionally, extraordinarily, tremendously, & immensely overpriced.

Albatross is an oceanic, salty fragrance with an addition of cork + driftwood mix making it an unconventional aquatic scent. I do find it artful and enjoyable, however that may only be for the wearer who is looking for something a bit more unique and not compliments. It is reminiscent of a port full of old ships and sea growth on them. Therefore I would class this as a novelty scent. It is not for everyday wear, more like for lounging back home. Sadly it's performance is abhorrent, lasts for about 3 hours of very poor projection. I have to continuously dig my nose into my arm to actually smell it. Therefore, my verdict is: to pay $330 for a 50ml novelty scent, where I have to dig my nose in to smell it, is absolutely unjustifiable. Would not recommend it at all (unless you're rich). P.S. I have to test the others out more to leave reviews, but so far, others project and last better than this one.

mmm... I'm revisiting this sample after about 6 months and I'm really enjoying it. I get fig leaf, white woods and a fresh mild sweetness to this. I think I can also sense a touch of liquorice. There's a bit of dryness to it that feels airy. It doesn't smell like the 'literal' ocean at all, more like an aquatic fantasy. I'm impressed that this effect is achieved with a natural fragrance. I'm usually not a fan of this genre due to smelling chemicals but this is lovely.

i get marine notes in the beginning, it smells like fresh sea air. there is a little bit of saltiness and then i get some driftwood. it goes from quite marine/fresh to quite woody/salty. i am not normally a huge fan of aquatics, but i like this as it's not overpoweringly sharp or overly clean.

I love Bonzai and some other from HoM, but this one is so weak that it is gone in less than 10 minutes. I realize these are natural ingredients, but there is just no comparison with Banzai, or other natural houses like Slumberhouse or Rogue

A marine and proletarian fragrance with a chlorine effect. Post gym or pool workout. I prefer sinking woods to poplars, cork and driftwood. ...she must have hit his head. it cannot be explained otherwise.;-))

ALBATROSS ARTISAN AQUATIC/MARINE PERFUME Described as: “Rare, magnificent and auspicious, the albatross bird is the captain of the air. The natural marine accord celebrates that spirit, the fresh coolness of where the ocean meets the sky. Salty Salish Sea breezes meet the soft warm notes of cork, driftwood and cottonwood evoking images of seafaring vessels, creosote-soaked timber, and barnacle covered hulls. Set your sights on the horizon, feel the wind in your sails”. Before I begin to analyze these perfumes, I want to give credit where credit is due. I want to emphasize that these perfumes truly do contain raw and natural materials or plant derived oils and to be able to use them in such exact increments to portray such precise representations; this truly warrants the touch and nose of an artist. I have in fact previously been sent organic perfumes to critique and I must admit these materials are very pungent, some harsh and very raw like, as if you just crushed a plant. So to be able to use these properties and achieve niche like scent and quality is beyond respectable “hint” why the scent warrants its price. Scent/originality: 0-10: It’s a 7 as its reminiscent of a Bleu de Chanel & Creed Millesime Imperial blend. “Albatross” this creation, I must say, it’s a people pleaser. On initial opening, it evokes a fine & gentle mist of salty blue aquatic accord with a cloud of real ambergris and hyraceum to help boost it for more pronounced effect sparkling in the background that quickly moves in the heart settling on a salty bed of faint drift wood/cork and pine resin (creosote) as the notes suggest to reference boats and maritime activity. If you close you eyes you can truly imagine the Greek coast right before a storm standing on the white coral rock while gazing at a salty dark blue ocean with clear blue sky watching white powdery clouds pass at the sound of albatross birds hovering in the foreground. As for originality, Christi Meshell’s primary focus was the “cold blue ocean” which in fact is very well represented. Even though Albatross is reminiscent of a blend between Bleu de Chanel EDT and Creed Millesime Imperial, she did after all create her own scent, which is very well done and can stand on its and amongst the highest level of perfumery. Longevity: 0-10: it’s a 5 as it hardly lasts through a trip at the grocery store but it’s quality 100%. According to using natural materials, it usually compromises the lasting effects as natural oils are absorbed and evaporate at much faster rates due to not containing synthetic fixatives. Other factors to consider are the type of skin (dry or oily), color and diet which often can have significant negative lasting effects as dry skin could absorb the fragrance or due to diet, skin oils could break down the composition sooner. In my testing phase, the perfume sample was a dabber. It started out loud and lived on my skin for about two hours before it became skin scent so no this perfume wont make it through a work day or a friendly encounter but it might work better for you. Because this is natural perfumery, I can’t be harsh in this segment but indeed for the price there’s more to be desired no matter how rare or expensive the materials used are. Silage: 0-10: it’s a 3 as it hardly projects after the initial 30 minutes. This perfume might leave a close proximity scent trail in the first 30 minutes but once it starts to settle it will sit close as more of a personal experience, which some prefer. Overall evaluation: On a scale 0-10: It deserves a 7.5 if not better! Christi Meshell’s visions are very well brought forth trough her creation. There is no question in her abilities and talent. I must admit I was often turned off by natural perfumes as many were harsh or too herbal but her works brought light. These materials could in fact be blended into a luxurious perfume experience equivalent to some of the finest fragrances out there. Sure longevity suffers so it’s up to you the consumer if naturals are a priority in their life style. The price seems steep for product performance but it warrants hard work and dedication. I highly encourage you to attempt at least one sample from her line to experience natural perfumery and her artistic works of art. -Emanuel Dobos

For me this similar to orca, but did have more of a aromatic and ambergris feel that made one think of flying. I like this better than orca, but still feel this fragrance is too subtle and very close to the skin. That combined with 4 hours longevity makes this only a experience and not a buy. You do get a sense of rushing wind, clean sea breeze, and perhaps rocks. I personally like the evolution or transition throughout the life of the fragrance, but wanted more notes and transition in the opening and the base.

As much as I love the smell I have a hard time recommending it because I honestly only smell it when I spray it on. Within minutes it's undetectable by myself, and a half hour later even if my wife puts her nose to my skin she can't smell it. So I only wear it to bed because there's not a lot of use otherwise. This isn't the same experience I've had with other HoM fragrances.

I had this as a sample along with a few others from this house but this was the only one I ordered a full bottle of. To me it's super fresh and spicy, definitely aquatic but with that hint of some spice it has a bit more depth.