Nang Ram

During my last trip to Bangkok I popped by the Journal boutique at Siam Square One, and besides a bottle of Mango Sticky Rice - review coming up in some time - I also got a tester of this lovely little fragrance. While it is somewhat similar to BR540, I would not call it a dupe. Nang Ram is a much more natural gourmand with a lovely sweet and crisp cherry note in the opening and a velvety soft benzoin-vanillic drydown. Very easy to wear, very gentle, very polite. I remember, when I first tried it in store on first spritz it really reminded me of another Thai fragrance, that is Cherry Syrup by Proad. Now back home, trying them side by side, I do have to say Cherry Syrup by Proad has considerably more oomph. It is louder, stickier, boozier, more syrupy, more all-enveloping, more intoxicating. Meanwhile, Nang Ram is on the gentle, laidback, cozy/relaxed side. The cherry note too lasts a lot longer in Cherry Syrup, while with Nang Ram is but a whisper about 1hr into wear. It`s still very beautiful though! I feel you could own both of those fragrances and use Nang Ram in the daytime and Cherry Syrup for a night out. Or you`re just someone who prefers a more gentle fragrance in general, then too, Nang Ram might be a great option. Don`t necessarily get this if you`re just looking for a BR540 dupe, but do consider it if you like a delicious warm gourmand cherry fragrance that is not too loud. And do visit the Boutique in Bangkok if you get the chance. Really lovely and knowledgeable people. Edit: Okay, I HAVE to add that while I personally still stand by what I wrote above - this being a bit calmer in character - my husband absolutely disagrees. He finds it nuclear in projection just shy of being overwhelming. Seems up close I get a little nose blind to this, but others very much can smelly it strongly!