Decadence

Great work from Insider and their mystery master perfumer. Hits the perfect balance as an addictive rich intoxicating scent that’s effortlessly easy to wear. There’s a lot going on - floral musky green ambery and powdery are all words that come to mind and it all somehow works together without becoming dense or overwhelming to wear. The neroli and jasmine are most of what you get for the first few hours along with a notable sharp basil and a waxiness which must come from the iris. Underneath there is a sharp fresh muskiness (likely ambroxan) which sticks around throughout. Eventually the florals back away and you end up with a clean musky patchouli, a hint of vanilla and a tiny bit of the cool sweetness that tonka brings, all together giving off that not-too-sweet not-too-bitter chocolatey accord (somewhere between milk and dark). I love how at every stage of wearing this there’s always a perfect balance between bright and indulgent notes which makes this completely addictive to wear without ever going into sugary sweet or gourmand territory. This is marketed as an original fragrance and it is very much that, but the influence from Ormonde Jayne’s Ambre Royal/Royal Elixir is clear. This is notably greener and is lacking the fruity osmanthus on direct comparison and I enjoy wearing both equally.