Bull's Blood 2nd Edition

i'm genuinely surprised i enjoy this fragrance as much as i do. based on how incredibly potent it is on paper, i was a little scared to try it on my skin, but i find it to be far more wearable than expected! definitely not a scent i'd wear in a professional setting, it's certainly a strong statement and should be applied in moderation, but it's perfect for an evening out or an event where i want to feel powerful and keen-edged and a little dangerous. it reminds me of a dragon with thin tendrils of smoke curling out of its nostrils, heat-sensing tongue flicking out to taste the air, iron-hard blood-slick serrated scales glowing like a bed of coals in the dark of its treasure-lined den. tobacco, patchouli, and sandalwood form the robust, energetic heart of this fragrance, giving it a beastly presence that lasts all day, putting me in a mood to walk with my shoulders back and head high. the rose and geranium are hold their own without being overshadowed by the stronger notes, floating airily around my head like silk for the first couple hours of wear, harmonizing beautifully as the crackling heat of the fragrance settles into a humming diffuse warmth. to me, this fragrance smells like how goldenseal herb tastes: incredibly bitter, but syrupy and warming to the core. i don't think it has the metallic bodily smell of blood, and to me, the musk serves more as a blending agent between the florals & ambers than its own distinctly animalic note, but this perfume does make me salivate in the same way a perfectly seared and still slightly bloody steak does. it's Meaty, that's for sure. bull's blood is not an everyday fragrance, but it's one that's grown on me and may tempt me to a full bottle purchase someday (initially bought my sample as a curious novelty). most recently, i wore it to a wedding where i was worried i would feel singled out by the groom's conservative family as one of the only visibly queer attendees. bull's blood gave me the confidence to bare my teeth in a defiant smile to their sideways looks, and i was so swept up in the aura of bitter smoky rose i was wearing to care much what anyone thought of me. that afternoon, about 3 hours after application, my partner told me i smelled pleasantly like brown sugar up close, which surprised me because i was a little worried i was scaring people away with my monstrous sillage... but this perfume does have a dark, sticky, resinous edge to it like molasses, i suppose! good to know that i wasn't waging chemical warfare on everyone in the room, just giving off my own personal not-to-be-fucked-with vibes.

In concept: patchouli, tobacco, black musk, geranium, Spanish rose, tobacco, sandalwood, and bull’s blood I’ve found that this line tends to have a sharp, scratchy note that I find unpleasant, and the description of this seems like it would be too masculine for my tastes, but the different reviews have my curiosity piqued. I suppose it says something about the type of person I am, when I see something polarizing, I’ve gotta try it for myself. On paper: It smells like my grandpa! Which I guess is actually in line with “A bad boy (from the 1960s)” from the description. As it dries down it gets a lot smokier, but it’s mercifully more of an incense-smoke smell, versus the food-smoke smell of “A City on Fire” by the same designer. In Practice: You’ve spent the night with the dummer from the heavy metal band and are walking home. His basement apartment is much grungier in the light of day. He’s the kind of guy who smokes hand-rolled cigarettes. You say your goodbyes knowing that you’ll never see him again, but that’s fine. His scent lingers in your hair. You’ve had your fun and you’re ready for your next bad decision. It’s much more animalistic on my skin than on paper. It’s don’t really get the blood note, but I do get “flesh” note (almost like fresh sweat with a slight metallic tang). The patchouli is very strong, and the florals end up making it veer into incense. I don't get any rose at all, just patchouli and incense. This is probably what evokes such vivid imagery of a very specific kind of gentleman: he’s creative and kinda grimy, but not in a hippie way, he’s got an edge to him. Where to Wear it: Either a man or a woman (it's surprisingly unisex) who is a musician at a goth club, either looking to pick up groupies, or as a groupie who would like to be picked up by a musician. In summary: After reading the other reviews, I was expecting something really daring and unusual. Unfortunately my expectations on that front fell a little flat, I feel like I’ve smelled this combination before in other indie (goth-y) fragrances. Furthermore, this scent isn’t really “me” — to the point where it gave me the aforementioned sense of wearing someone else’s (secondhand) fragrance — but I do like it and think it would be very sexy on the right kind of person (alternative, a little edgy). I'd be into this if my partner wore it for a date. Definitely sample before buying. (As a note given the reviews, I was very cautious with the amount I used. This stuff is potent, and would probably be unpleasant if over-applied, so use with a light hand!)

The line between beauty and danger is often more blurred than we think. A gilded dagger, a heartbreak, a rose’s thorns. This is the line that Bull’s Blood by @Imaginary Authors straddles. Opening with a leathery animalic note and warm spices, the rose and geranium through-line of this perfume is never lost. Not even when an earthy Patchouli threatens to take over. This fragrance is a constant push and pull, red florals lush and seductive, grounded by an earthen intensity. The tobacco here is especially vintage leaning, lending to transport the wearer the way Imaginary Author fragrances so often do. It’s also balanced to perfection, blended to create something truly unique. I find that a lot of Imaginary Authors’s more masculine fragrances rely heavily on wood, which I do enjoy, but Bull’s Blood is more about the patchouli and rose. Especially the rose. This is a floral perfume before anything else; but this rose is wild. Even the dry down of this fragrance is beautiful, mellowing out but still packing a punch of an earthy, musky rose. Bull’s Blood holds nothing back, and isn’t afraid to be dark. Nothing about it is polite, but spray it a few times and you’re deadly - untouchable. This is for your villain era, because this perfume says “I don’t give a f**k.” And those sprays will last you well into the night - we’re talking 8 hours of wear. This is a hot summer night perfume, though I think many would say it is winter or fall due to its depth and darkness. Is heat not oppressive; is the sun not a killer? The name of this fragrance calls to mind matadors in ruby and gold costumes; it’s about an old world of opulence and grandeur, where even the wealthy were not spared the brutality of living. Imaginary Authors has been one of my favorite fragrance brands for many years for the way they create vivid stories through scents, but I was never able to get my hands on Bull’s Bloor before it was discontinued. But it’s back!!! I am so, so incredibly happy and thankful I was sent this perfume - I had a suspicion I would love it. Yes, I think it might have surpassed The Soft Lawn for my favorite fragrance of theirs. This perfume calls to a part of my soul. If you enjoy dark and “stinky” perfumes, this is for you. As an Aries Sun with a domicile chart ruler Venus in Taurus, the juxtaposition between beauty and beast is where I thrive; and this perfume delivers that. Thank you again to Imaginary Authors for sending this! This was originally posted to my tiktok - scentnsensibility

Fucking hell. Fuuuuucking hell. FUUUUCCKKKIIINGG HELLLLLL! That's what my brain does when it smells this scent. It is the perfume equivalent of fluoroantimonic acid. It destroys everything! I even think this perfume could kick Baccarat Rouge's arse, if it was having a fight with it. Bull's Blood smells EXACTLY as the name would suggest. When I'd put it on and I looked at the stunning book-esque box it arrived in, with vintage and impressionist Spanish art, my brain was whisked away to a dusty Spanish village, where a bullfight had just taken place. Imaginary Authors; take a bow! This perfume is a perfect example of how to tell a story through scent. Tobacco, animalistic musks, patchouli (some sort of modified version - fermented patchouli maybe?) all hurtle towards your olfactory nerves, like a very pissed off bull. Once it has launched it's first attack, a fight breaks out between rose and geranium. The result of that fight is a strong blood scent, which gives amazing texture and character to the profile. Quite easily the best iteration of blood that I have ever experienced. The real genius of Bull's Blood is how the blood scent dances with the main notes. It struts it's stuff like Mick Jagger after a cheeky bump, but without going full Keith Richards. It's quiet confidence allows it to blend PERFECTLY with the main notes. The result is a totally transformed scent profile; easy to handle tones like tobacco and patchouli are given an olfactory kiss of life, due to the unusual blood tone within the scent. Sillage: LOOK OUT EVERYONE, THERE'S A MASSIVE FUCKING BULL AND IT'S MEGA ANGRY! Longevity: THE BULL IS STILL MEGA ANGRY AND IT'S BEEN HERE FOR 10 HOURS! I absolutely love this perfume and it goes straight into my top shelf 10. It will remain in it's box, which is a luxury I only allow for my absolute favourites. 10/10. If you don't like this perfume then piss off back to your fucking Shitvage dupes, ignorant cunt.

I have been excited for this scent for a while, mostly because I wanted to test the limits of my nose and what it was willing to allow inside of it. What I've learned is that apparently, it's pretty good at dealing with challenging scents. I described this as immediately smelling like hot glue and grease burning on the grass of a guy that smoked a shit ton of cigarettes. After ten minutes, it actually turns kind of sweet and metallic, almost like a bloody syrup. It's sort of like within the story that after a while, the smell of the bull goes away as the crowd cheers, throwing roses to the performer as they wipe blood -- his own and his bovine opponent's -- off from their clothes. I'd argue this is a summer scent, but only smouldering heat summers. It kind of smells like your greasy uncle repairing something when it's 100 degrees outside while smoking a cigar. I don't know why that thought crossed my mind, but it did. I will say this: if the smell of tobacco gives you a headache, you will get a headache sometime into having this on you or something else. It will also not leave that thing you have it on. It will also not leave the thing you are smelling it with (your nose). This is one of the most notoriously difficult perfumes to scrub off, and it is so strong it gets stuck in your nose. Thankfully, I could tolerate the headache and actually kind of love the smell of this. I am not 100% against wearing it in public, but also understand that it will probably be extremely off-putting to most people. One of the most creative scents I've put to my nose.

Wow. This is an intense fragrance. Absolutely a love it or hate it. For me, as of posting this and having just received it today, I love it and its unusual qualities. I sprayed one spray and it filled my whole bathroom. This is an extremely 80s musk forward scent. Reminded me tremendously of the heavier notes of Fendi for women (my mom's perennial favorite in the late 80s, early 90s) without any of the light, florally sweet notes that balanced that classic fragrance. There is a sweetness to it for sure but a more grounded earthy-spicy sweetness from the patchouli. That note seems to cover most of the rose/geranium but they're definitely there as well. It would be like it the patchouli and rose notes in Moschino's Toy Boy swapped prominence. I also get a slight sharpness at the very tail end of the scent that I could see some finding a metallic offensiveness but I think it's quite mixed in against all the other notes on my skin. Like those bold 80s scents, this one will definitely leave a mark. Perfect for a cold evening out. Feels very ostentatious in a Julia Fox way which again some find endearing (me) and others might find vulgar. Curious how this would feel in the dry summer sun. A friend mentioned it reminded him of the 'hippie antique' shops he went to as a kid in the 90s if that resonates for anyone else. To sum it up: I love it for its bold, loud, and unusual scent. Long lasting. Not a crowd pleaser or a blind buy but if you have the chance to smell it, please try it.

Such a peculiar yet seductive scent. This is what I imagine one of Edgar Allen Poe's grotesque characters would wear. It's the signature scent of that menacing old man who lives in the dilapidated mansion you stumble upon when your car breaks down nearby on a stormy, moonless night. At first spray, it's blood, musk, patchouli and rose. Deep and rich, slightly metallic, earthy and heady. It's ominous and enchanting, romantic but deadly—like blood-soaked funeral roses. It remains largely the same throughout the wear with a bit of nuance every now and again. Around two hours in, I notice a smokier quality—perhaps the tobacco, though I couldn't specifically identify it as such—that fades away around hour four when the rose and musk more so take the main stage. And around hour seven, I pick up on an almost leathery aspect of the fragrance. This lasted for at least ten hours on my skin. Overall, I love this perfume and am very pleased it was the first of their sample discovery set that I tried. It's haunting and definitely makes a statement, though probably not something you would wear every day. It'd be perfect for: a sexy summer night, a gray winter day, or anytime in the spring or fall. This is so different from what I normally enjoy in perfumes and that makes me love it even more. **Warning**: I advise against applying directly to clothing as it (fittingly) sprays on blood red.

Wow — just coming out of reading some reviews, and clearly I'm not smelling what everyone else is lol. I LOVE this perfume and wear it every day. In the office I work, people are always coming in and asking what the smell is — so it has a strong sillage. Usually, when someone notices the scent, they're complimenting it. Here are some of my favourite ways people have described the scent to me: - like someone just lit a cigar - incense - like a rich person's leisure time - patchouli - like a beautiful woman - maple - fruity spicy Buuuut I also get why some people don't like it, because I did have one particular coworker come in and announce to me "something smells like piss". Could be she was smelling something else entirely — or it could be that this perfume just smells like that to some people. Certainly some of the reviews would suggest that. But I like it, and don't personally get the 'piss' element. Maybe a tiny bit sometimes, I think it just depends on the chemistry of your skin on a particular day? Maybe this perfume is a little musky, but I like a musky, strong scent. Can't stand girlish, light, traditional 'perfumey' smells. Bull's Blood is a winner for me, at least. And I love the design of the bottle and the fake book used to describe it.

When I bought a bunch of samples from IA, I, being the type of person to eat dessert before dinner, sprayed Bull's Blood as my first tester. My partner (with whom I'd been sharing my anticipation about trying this fragrance), from Across The Room, knew imMEDIATELY that I had just spritzed my single, solitary, sample spritz of Bull's Blood. Such had begun what I hope to be my lifelong affair with musk-floral fragrances. I consider myself a bit of a fashionista; I would describe my sense of style as what the kids these days are calling dopamine dressing. So I feel qualified to mark a comparison between Bull's Blood and a floor length, zebra striped jacket: as several other reviewers have pointed out, for example, it's more likely to wear you than you it. An offensive statement piece requiring confidence, playfulness, and creativity to pull off effectively. Out of cowardice (and consideration!!!), I mostly find myself spraying it at home and sleeping in it (an, understandably, insane thing to do). Perhaps when I acquire a ornate corset in the shape of a blood-red ribcage, a rosary made of genuine graveside flowers, and a sunhat whose brim rivals in diameter to Saturn's rings, will I feel ready to wear this outside without feeling like a total poser.

When I first smelled this, looking for a scent that reminds me of dried down blood, I was hit in all of my senses, in the best way possible. Instant purchase. When I first sprayed it on me, I could not breathe. It is engulfing you, and whoever is around. After that beautiful -arguably, because my mom thinks it smells like actual ass- first sprays, you will end up with that musky, tobacco, and a deeply intricated geranium, which almost reminds me of vetiver as well. Definitely not a perfume for everyone, you need to be able to carry the smell, and it is not for those who have a weak heart. Disappointedly, I have to admit that the scent of blood almost immediately escapes after a few minutes, which was the reason I bought this perfume. (I work in an environment where I have to smell human skin and lots of blood, hence why I am so familiar with the scent.) However, I am quite happy with the dried-down scent of it, and it is insanely long-lasting too! I always find it hard to find a perfume that would live on me as I am a heavy smoker, but the tobacco smell complements the tobacco notes in the perfume as well. Would not recommend this as a blind buy. Surprisingly, I did get a lot of compliments while wearing this, too.

Both editions of Bull’s Blood - and I admit to liking the original but I love the 2nd edition - are obviously not for **FILL IN THE STEREOTYPICAL BLANK HERE** That could be “the faint of heart” or “the status quo” or simply “everyone.” ...so what? Have you not met this brand? Have you not met Slow Explosions, with its “punch in the mouth” opening? Or City on Fire’s somewhat disturbing dry down? You’re not wearing a fragrance called “Bull’s Blood” for the mass appeal. What I love about both editions of Bull’s Blood is the crystal clear image/place it calls to mind. This is a hot, sweaty, sinful perfume. Blood and wine have been spilled. The air is heavy, the sun is oppressive. Yet everyone is dressed impeccably, despite the blood and wine. There is a LOT of passion and heat in this fragrance - I *almost* want to wear it in deep summer just to see how it operates - just to see if the image comes to mind. I’m not going to dog on anyone for hating this fragrance - to each their own. However, I can’t help but think that if you went out of your way to try this and didn’t like it...you had to have expected that possibility, right? Are you really that surprised? When to wear: 1. Whenever you damn well please.

LISTEN TO ME. i own a full bottle and this is my fav scent ever. i will be objective. easily one of the most complex things ive smelled, purely because there is so much u pick out everytime u smell it. this has amazing performance, it will stay on ur clothes for ages. you can get all the notes, i wouldnt say its very dominant in any, but it does have this pungent sour without the sharpness maybe urine note to it that can be prevalent especially when u spray it on urself and wear it. but i love this note, which id be inclined to say is the blood, i think they do it very well. tobacco, blood, musk, rose, patchouli. i fucking love this fragrance. it is everything i aim for in a scent and really makes me feel like me. can be difficult to wear. but dont listen to these ppl saying it is repulsive or is too intense. trust me if u are into perfumery, good perfumes never do this. u can just not like it and wash it off that is fine. but man do i get the image. a man and his lady standing above the dead bull the dirt the piss the shit the blood the love the awe. its something else man. so nice.

Despite many reviews mentioning an opening note reminiscent of cat piss, I don’t pick that up at all. From the start, I was drawn in by the rich tobacco note, immediately reminding me of lighting incense or a cigarette in a closed room. The aroma of this fragrance clings to the air, lingering long after the initial spray, much like a cigarette would. As it settles, the metallic scent of the blood note starts to fade in, subtle yet very distinct. It a big contrast to the tobacco note. The floral note doesn’t exactly come in the way you might expect. It’s not a light or airy smell, instead, it feels heavier. I can only describe it as a rose garden filled only with deep red roses. Overall, Bulls Blood is deeply alluring to me. There’s a richness to it that feels distinctly old money, like an older man lighting a cigar at an underground bar. Not the kind of bar where people go to socialize, but a quiet space where the music is heard faintly in the background. An interesting blend of tobacco and rose, with the smallest bit of maple and leather seeping through the dry-down.

This is an erotic fragrance—there's no other way to describe it. When Angela Carter writes about men lurking in shadowy manors buried deep within the forest, she is describing Bull's Blood. Beauty's Beast has been rendered a hunter, a nocturnal animal dressed in a smoking jacket a la Maxim De Winter. This perfume is masculine and threatening, savage, almost overpowering at times. You must be brave to wear it or I suspect it might wear you; there is no sense in being shy when adorned with a scent that oozes such primal sexuality. For those reasons I can understand why so many may be repulsed by Bull's Blood. There is no sense of safety or security in this perfume, you must embrace it to be embraced back. It will kiss you hard enough that your teeth hurt, like lightning pulsing through your blood. If you want your cologne to be a soft and gentle lover, don't choose this—but if you fantasize about rough touches wrapped in a leather glove, the lingering smoke of a cigarette caught in the cabin of a luxury vintage car, choose this one.

I can totally see the inspiration progression—the earlier being mostly a patchouli-rose, earthy fragrance, but the second edition, although it has mostly the same ingredients, with the addition of geranium and sandalwood, there’s just something deeper, almost feral, dare I say carnal about it. 🫣 It’s as though the first, which I still have sparingly, were foreplay and the second, well, the fully developed, mature, main event as the geranium brightens while the sandalwood brings out a salty amber quality that’s very seductive. Other notes have been dialed up to a degree that’s referential to the first but just so much more dynamic and intense. I’m glad I still have some of the original but I’ve completely flipped for the sequel and there will be a full bottle of this outstanding achievement in my near future! “We are all animals and passion brings out the beast in each of us.” Well done, Josh!

It's dark, smoky and mysterious; the scent passes you by, the lights drop, and the red mist settles over your eyes. Animalic - literally, and in it's nature. Passionate and seductive, it raises your pulse and challenges you to - as its name implies - grab the bull by the horns. Geranium is forward in the top notes, but it gives way to strong rose and patchouli within a couple of hours. Mineralic undertones evoke the blood accord and give this scent its dark side, making this fragrance extremely situational. I enjoy wearing it around the house but I'm not sure when I'd wear it otherwise - this is not work safe and it's not a daily driver. The insane longevity and projection don't help this, so make sure this is what you want to smell like long-term if you apply it. Dark, challenging, evocative, and erotic. Definitely not for everyone, but for what it is and what they're trying to achieve? 5/5

As a Blood Fragrance enthusiast Bulls Blood fits nicely into my collection. Though a very very tame "blood" fragrance at that. What sets this one apart from my lineup is the dryness of the blood. Flakey, rust colored, but heavy. It's more striking on a paper sample and on opening. The rest of it is incredibly similar to 34 Bohemian by TWM. The dusty, decorative, dried rose. Tissue paper petals that lean powdery. Soft tobacco leaf tucked away in a cabinet somewhere. Unlit cones of patchouli. Soft spice attributed to either rose or tobacco or both I'm not sure. I adore it. I love the room the paints and I want to live there. It's comforting and haunting and incredibly wearable I find. Though it seems so many other reviewers disagree. It's going on my FB wishlist. Oh and one last thing. The color of the juice? Gorgeous. Breathtaking. Love how it colors my pulse points. Wish it stained.

I'm testing the IA Complete Works, and Bull's Blood is the first in the collection. I winced when I saw the color of the juice and smelled what was to come out of the spray-vial before I even depressed the atomizer. I sprayed 1.5 spritzes on the crook of my elbow as I My take: Old scented candles that have been around since the late 1960s or early '70s in a dusty, wood-paneled library that's gone unused for a while. There's a bowl of rose potpourri next to a partially packed pipe on the mahogany credenza. While I'm in the room, I begin sensing someone or something of nefarious character may be spying on me through the keyhole in the door. TLDR: If the set of the Dark Shadows television program were a perfume. As others have said, performance is beast. Very strong projection. It's not bombastic. It rolls in more slowly, and is very thick yet dry. Unrelenting--even at almost hour six.

🐂 A Bloody Duel 🌹 The scent hits like a bull: powerful, dark, and dangerous. You feel black musk and warm tobacco, smelling like a heated body in the very heart of the struggle. Right beside it is a Spanish rose - dark and dense, inextricably linked to an icy blood accord. The metallic chill of iron pierces through velvet petals, giving them a tragic, ceremonial character. Everything here is intentional and focused, like every stroke of a blade upon the dusty arena. This precision ensures the fragrance constantly teeters on the edge. One moment it repels with its raw, physiological nature, only to seduce a second later with smoky warmth and earthy patchouli. An olfactory paradox: it attracts and warns simultaneously, forcing you to look danger straight in the eye. Visual archive on TikTok / IG: @the.scent.files

As a fragance newbie, I was so scared to order this for the longest time because of its reputation. Yet the concept wouldn't leave my mind. Finally, I tried my luck with a sample and I did not regret it at all. I understand the negative reviews. It's definitely not a perfume made for subtle tastes. It's strong, it's bold, and people around you will not like it. It's incredibly masculine. At a distance, it's all tobacco and black musk. However, as you get closer, It becomes a bit sweeter and powdery, creating a very comforting feeling. It really portrays the image of a powerful, passionate man: dark and intimidating on the surface, yet warm in privacy. As a spaniard, I can also agree this smells like a nice, fancy spanish bar. I fully intend to get a full bottle, everyone around me be damned. It's beautiful.

Adore this scent and am strongly considering making it *my* everyday scent. It's spicy and the patchouli is not as offputting as I expected it to be. I personally do not detect the blood scent that pushes many others away. This may be because I encounter blood/rotting flesh often (I am a tiger zookeeper and they eat raw meat). This could lead to some nose blindness to it. (And I guarantee I am often smelling rot that is worse than whatever Josh Meyer is including in this fragrance!). This scent reminds me of church basements, despite none of the churches I have ever attended smelling exactly like this. I find this fragrance very alluring and sexy. And my fiance likes it as well, he brought it up on his own. I would recommend a sample of this, just to try it.

Very dark and strong fragrance. Incredibly powerful and smells mysterious in every way. In my mind, it makes me think of a corner of an old pub somewhere in London, a corner hidden from the masses but wrapped in so many stories, quietly witnessing the coming and going of thousands. On the test paper, it was very strong, from when I first sprayed it, right up until the next day. It engulfs everything around it, and invokes mystery and secrecy to hide its intentions. It's one of my favourite I.A fragrances, and I will definitely be looking to purchase a bottle. Suitable for the office? I would say no, it's too offensive. Suitable for a night out? Absolutely. This fragrance is a quiet head turner that will definitely get comments for its unique creation.

Maybe my skin chemistry plays nice with "blood" smells? I love this one. It's bold and spicy, smoky rose with just a hint of metallic smell on the back end (I think that note turns into piss for some based on the reviews). That fades after a few hours. I'm not getting period/pad from it, that has a VERY different smell (this is a sharp metallic like pennies -vs- earthy/mushroom-y). I'd say it's not exactly unisex but I definitely think this is something the Knightcore/Utena girlies could wear. It's a prince smell. I did one spray this morning and that was PLENTY. I was smelling it when I ran errands. This isn't an everyday scent for me but I definitely feel it's good for a Date Night.

definitely incredibly strong on first spray so i understand why it scares most off. driess down to smell almost cognac-y. the patchouli and tobacco are no joke, but i love that on a DEEP inhale you can really feel the metallic and almost smoky body of it. on a personal preference i wish the rose was a bit stronger, just to bring in the "elegance" aspect but it's still very lovely. incredibly warm and comforting but still invigorating. it had to grow on me a little bit but now it's a deep obsession. i would, however, not subject anyone else to it unless they were already into that kind of thing.

This is primal. This is for the bold. Totally get why people don’t like it, but I love it. You have to take time with this and understand how to use it. One spray. That’s it, if you spray more than once, that’s on you, but you’re ... let’s say ... different. In general, if you want to try it, you’ll need one spray far from your nose. Super strong and can be too much if you spray more than once and near your nose. One sniff of this and your mood changes into predator. A different type of beast mode. Don’t just test it once and walk away. Save it and experiment. Great unique fragrance.

The opening is loud and ritualistic. Notes of spice, incense and booze project intensely outward before it settles into something that gives the impression of lingering in an empty church at night while smoking pipe tobacco and shooting whiskey. Finally the dry down offers collapse of the more complex notes, leaving a sweet, musky odor behind giving the final impression one of an expensive, dusty, pissed-soaked, rug. The entire process isn't exactly beautiful in the traditional sense, but I found it intoxicating nonetheless.

I just got a sample of this and I want to have a full bottle very badly. I think this is a love it or hate it kind of smell. My partner instantly disliked it but I was transported back to hot summer nights under the stars, the feeling of having just shot off fireworks and that sweet, smoky smell that fills the air right after. It's a nostalgic smell. I don't think they were going for fireworks but that's exactly what it smells like to me. Totally unique, interesting smell, just lovely to me.

i know this one is so divisive but i'm a divisive figure so i'm obsessed with it. genuinely maybe this is because i have a predisposition to animalics but i think the musk is balanced. it's wrapped up very well in the rose and geranium. the blood is a pleasant twinge on the end of your nose that (personally) keeps me coming back again and again for more. sexy, tender, devoted, immense, confronting, all words i would use for this. i wear this every single day and i'm happy as a clam about it

Definitely stepped outside my comfort zone to buy a perfume like this. I was intrigued by the notes, so I thought it would be worth a try. I see quite a lot of backlash for this perfume, but the notes are tobacco and blood. What did you expect, florals? I personally loved the powerful musky metallic smell with a hint of roses it is very long-lasting and was just as potent as my first application. My sister says it smells like bug spray, but she actually liked it so for each their own.

Bought this based on other reviews emphasizing the blood and other challenging notes. Personally, I found this to be a dignified and deliberate scent. Opening was heavy on the tobacco and musk, easing into a herbal rose. Blood was nowhere to be found - maybe that's a good thing, but I wouldn't have minded this being more aggressive. In short - a unique statement perfume nowhere near as repulsive as reviews would have you believe.

First impression: A rose dripping with blood, rich earthy patchouli, a pissed off bull with sweat gleaming on his hide as he is about to charge and try to kill the matador. This is niche. Where would I wear this? I have no idea. A gladiator sporting event perhaps like MMA or Boxing. Blood and testosterone. It's definitely not for everyone, but I think it's a fantastic trip. 𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓𓃓 Scent 88/100 Performance TBD

To me, this smells very much like Trex. The big difference for me is it is much sweeter and has a honey note to my nose. The colour is also very orange and red that I would be scared of it staining clothes so keep that in mind. That being said if you like those heavy incense scents or even just looking for a sweeter trex I would give this one a go. It's my first Imaginary authors I have tried and I love it.

I honestly don't understand the hate for this fragrance. It is in no way horrible in fact it is one of my favourites ever, but it is a niche use case. It evokes a charming vintage and mysterious feel, like an eclectic antiques emporium or a dark and moody speakeasy. To me it is a masculine leaning rose scent with a strong backing of tobacco.

Incredible. Smells like blood, wine, spices, heat, gunpowder smoke, resin, and roses. A very warm scent. It has this amusing floral dry-down that gives it a heavy, honey-like quality. I’m not sure how to describe this, but it smells like a dog bite (in a good way). I absolutely love this scent. Where should you wear this? Anywhere you want.

I think the question on the mind of fans of Bull's Blood will be whether the second edition holds up. After one wear, my sentiment is that lovers of Bulls Blood will love this, but not quite as much. Being less dynamic, it lacks the sweetness that balances out the original, but the body of the animal is still front and center.

Irresistible. Someone let Ms Patchouli out her cage and now she’s wreaking havoc on anyone who dares putting their nose near this. So excruciatingly sexy. Reminds me of filthy Berlin gay clubs, long hours shared with strangers, the sin of pleasure olfactorily ruining my clothes. Ugh, take me back. 10/10

I was one of the apparent few who enjoyed the original Bull's Blood. Unfortunately, it was discontinued before I could buy a bottle. My sample of the original is gone, so I can't compare it directly with this 2nd Edition, but if memory serves me right they seem very similar.

Funny enough this is the only fragrance on IA’s website listed as “controversial” and it is an apt description. Some friends and family love this one, some hate it. Personally I love it and couldn’t get enough of it. Id say try a sample to see if you can even stand it

this is such a sexy scent idc idc. delicious alcohol, spices, and tobacco. honestly i barely smell the blood note. it gets a little sweet as it dries down and smells so yummy on me. it's an overwhelming perfume but it overwhelms me in a way that chypres really don't.

I immediately smell geranium, rose, and a campfire when I wear this, with balsamic vinegar and almost a dried sweat scent after about an hour layering in with the previous smells. It's a big attention getter, punch in the face smell, and it's one of my favorites ❤️

Balsamic vinegar! Geranium, patchouli, musk, sandalwood, all present and positively dripping with sweet dark balsamic -- the titular blood, to my nose at least.

Smells like someone's running an electrical current through a mound of expensive Turkish Delight. I love it

really strong and beautiful. it kind of makes me hungry if i sniff it too much. i might be a bad person.

Unbridled aggression in a bottle. If this doesn't put hair on your chest, I don't know what will.

absolutely intoxicating, smells like dried blood and a sparkler

this has become my everyday scent but i lowkey am a bad person

this is all i think about i love this fragrance

Cycling through some samples I got from Imaginary Authors and this is a scent I was extremely excited to try. It’s warm, dry, slightly sweet and musky. You really get the patchouli in this. The tobacco is slightly prevalent as well. Projection and longevity are certainly there, I was able to smell this on me a solid 8 hours after applying. Here is the positive: I was back and forth on if I liked this or not but after wearing it for the first few hours I truly love how this smells. The patchouli in this smells great and I love the very slight hint of sweetness this carries as to not let it feel too dry and musky. While this will definitely be a hit or miss with those around you, for certain times of the year and certain special occasions I can see this being a really great option that won’t leave you smelling generic or plain. Here is the negative: While I loved this scent for a good chunk of the time I wore it, my skin chemistry just isn’t fit for long term wear with this fragrance. The first four to five hours of me wearing this were great. After the five hour mark though, this fragrance started to smell more like urine than anything else. To some it might smell like maple syrup but for me it just smelled like I missed the toilet. Not exactly the kind of impression you want to leave with those around you. I also think that, as stated above, this fragrance will not be for everyone. I received a few compliments wearing this but I can absolutely see where some people would find being around this scent off-putting. Overall thoughts: I commend Imaginary Authors for always trying new things and making fragrance fun. The craftsmanship they put into these scents is very evident. I will most likely save my sample for short term wear until it runs out. It’s a great scent that really fits my scent profile well but sadly is not for me. If you’re curious about this one, please do not blind buy. Get a sample first to see if you like the scent and see how it reacts to your skin chemistry.

Surprisingly, i found this quite wearable. It does have a metallic "blood like" note, absolutely. But the rose, tobacco, and patchouli are working heros, keeping the "blood" note in line. In fact, i'd say it's a pretty good fragrance for a cold night out. Opening is the roughest part, although not very rough. If you're not into hardcore fragrance it can challenge you a bit, but probably not too much. I find it's mostly a spicy rose, tobacco, and patchouli fragrance with a metallic blanket over it. There is most definitely a blood note in here. As a scent, it's actually quite nice. In the mid it's already become a strong and bold tobacco and rose fragrance with a solid patchouli backing them up. The blood and metallic notes are toned down and the musk is lingering underneath it all. It reminds me of "Xerjoff, Tony Iommi Monkey Special" inn the late mid, and for the rest of the lifetime of the fragrance. In the drydown, i pretty much get the same as the mid, but the sandalwood note is becoming very noticable. Not more then the rose, tobacco, and patchouli, but clearly present. It also gets ever so slightly animalic to my nose. Clearly a winter and autumn fragrance. It's quite heavy and powerful, and will choke people out in the summer. You could get away with it on a crisp spring evening though. Leans very masculine on me, but like all fragrances, it might be different on female skin. Likely not for the young crowd. Casual to semi-formal. It's not a wedding fragrance, but you could dress it up a bit and make it a powerful "boss" fragrance. Personal score: 9/10. I came into this expecting something very animalic and sweaty. Like a bull and a bullfighter after a long bloody battle. But what i got was a strong and quite beautiful tobacco and rose fragrance with a lovely and original twist. And i fell a little bit in love with it. I'd happily wear this, although the setting has to be right for it.

ok! another hat in the ring of an incredibly polarized perfume. my thoughts: y’all are so dramatic. saying this lightheartedly, but there are really people out here acting like this perfume killed their family and spat on their graves. if you are considering buying this fragrance, some important notes: -this is not an everyday perfume. i would argue it’s almost not wearable in Most contexts. the contexts i can imagine: a very dimly lit dusty old library, a wet cave after being taken by a minotaur but it has to be weird and psychosexual. maybe like a bonfire where you sacrifice a friend -it is very incense/patchouli heavy, but it’s not unpleasant, just smokey. it’s reminiscent of walking into a modern day spirituality store—kind of welcoming, equally as intimidating if you don’t really know what you’re doing. -this thing is SHARP. i would hesitate to call it outright Bitter—but it Bites -this is... i hesitate to call it sexy, but it’s erotic, maybe in the way some people find killers to be. it’s dark and almost brooding but the more it develops, the more understandable it gets overall, my thoughts—if you’re wanting something safe, don’t buy it. i do not consider this a “safe” build but. however!! if you are wanting something different, a fun add to diversify a collection, i would say this is the ticket. even though i don’t necessarily consider this to be something i plan to wear, i do not regret sampling it—it’s an interesting have! however, i wouldn’t really take most of these reviews as gospel, as they’re very polarized—my best bit of advice would be to sample it yourself and form your own thoughts. rating: 3.5/5 color: deep brown red (coincidentally, like dried blood) season: winter wordbank: smokey, fire, hot, clawing, spicy, body, bar