Blackmail

Blackmail is an interesting interpretation on what it would be like to have a gourmand oud perfume. In that vein, John Pegg makes a very wise decision of placing oud in the company of dark purple and blue berry fruits and a vanillic sandalwood. The berries are lightly juicy, not syrupy sweet. But what makes this whole thing work is that the oud is steered clear of its rotted, funky, barnyard characters and allowed to project its woody and leathery facets. It’s unmistakably oud, but kept very well in check. The oud links the berries to wood smoke in the heart that is attention grabbing by most standards, certainly not an insipid little wallflower, but noticeably restrained and smooth for such a large and looming presence compared to a few other Kerosene perfumes that are far more wood-smoke-heavy. That characteristic style of there being breathable air and a lot of space in Pegg's perfumes for Kerosene is still very much present in Blackmail. In particular, the base is as beautiful as it simple. In Pegg’s hands the vanilla and sandalwood have a richness that does not translate into density or lumpiness. It is airy yet supple, mouthwatering yet satisfying, and it has a texture able to be felt in the nose and throat but it feels like a silk thread running across your hand. Lovely. The best of Pegg’s perfumes for his brand so far are usually full of high velocity and energy, a vortex of spices, smoke, woods, blacks, grays, browns, and deep copper reds in some spartan space lit only by orange moonlight. In their rustic and gung-ho behavior there is a very upfront confidence to them. Blackmail though - it holds back, concealing its energy and confidence behind a cheeky grin, and a relaxed gait. The perfume is highly diffusive and very long lasting, but at no point is it ever loud or forceful. It knows something you don’t know that it knows, and maybe you don’t even know yourself. It has the power, and feels no need to prove it; its presence is proof enough. Another fantastic piece of work from Kerosene and Pegg.

This was a blind buy for me, and upon the first spray I was a little nervous about the decision. Oddly, the very first impression was like a more wearable version of Toskovat's Age of Innocence. As fascinated as I am with that fragrance, it's not a scent I'd ever wear out, hence my initial apprehension when I first smelled similar notes in this. Fortunately, the initial rubbery pavement scent dissipated within 10-15 minutes and left a more pleasant, wearable smoke scent. As the first hour of wear went on, it developed nicely and the berry notes came forward. This fragrance is reminiscent of late summer camping trips to Teanaway River in Washington; campfire smoke, burnt wood, and forest berries on the verge of over-ripening in the summer heat. I appreciate this fragrance because so many similarly cozy scents have a sort of indoorsy feel, like they're formulated with blankets, candlelight, fireplaces and sweaters in mind. This fragrance takes the coziness outside and under the night sky. It's not quite a warm weather scent, but I can see it being appropriate for some late-night outing in August. I love this scent and can see it becoming my new go-to, in spite of whatever time or season it is. It's not a boring fragrance by any means, but the dry down is pretty simple, which might make it fun to play around with layering; I find that Blackmail smells fantastic layered with Lush's rose jam body spray. It's not a crowd pleaser in the traditional sense, but I think it's a versatile perfume that likely won't offend anyone unless you're overspraying. It's sexy in a cool, unexpected way. I don't think this perfume is something everyone would like to wear themselves, but on the right person, it's perfect. The price is reasonable for such an interesting fragrance. My only complaint is the bottle. It's awkward to spray due to it's large square shape. It doesn't fit in the hand nicely so it's hard to spray using just one hand. It looks very cool but it's not very functional.

I saved my 100th Fragrantica review for Kerosene’s Blackmail which I find deeply appealing for its unapologetic maturity, balance of grit and polish, and sense of lived-in sophistication that doesn’t pander to trends. Blackmail projects a bold, resinous darkness on me. It's a mix of smoky woods, leather, incense, and a faint metallic sweetness that feels both industrial and intimate. For a man who has spent half a lifetime cultivating taste and confidence, this is not a scent that tries too hard to impress. It commands attention quietly, with the kind of complexity that unfolds slowly reminiscent of a conversation over a Glenfiddich 26 Year Old Grande Couronne single-malt scotch. There’s also something nostalgic for me in Blackmail’s composition: the faint motor-oil grit and charred amber evoke the smell of old vinyl stores, vintage motorcycles, and worn leather jackets which I do find rather cliched. But it never veers into caricature with its elegance in its darkness. A man in his late forties might recognize that balance between edge and restraint, a fragrance that reflects both his experiences and his comfort in his own skin. What makes Blackmail particularly satisfying for me is its texture. It has weight and presence, yet feels refined like dark velvet rather than raw asphalt. It’s the kind of scent that doesn’t need to shout because it already has a story behind it. The wearer who chooses it isn’t trying to reinvent himself; he’s simply choosing something that matches his self-assured, quietly magnetic personality. Blackmail is for a man, such as myself, who’s traded impulse for intention. A man that has lived enough to appreciate the beauty in shadow, the allure of restraint, and the art of leaving a lingering impression long after he’s left the room. The sillage is sensual with a slightly threatening backbone making your absence the olfactory equivalent of a smirk and a lighter flick. Blackmail is a masterpiece.

Love this. Love love love this. First off, it does not smell like By The Fireplace, but they are in the same family. The is like the Halloween sibling and BTF is like the Christmas sibling. The smoke here is much more literal, like smouldering embers, campfire, burning wood. The smoke in BTF is more of the suggestion of smoke, the heat from a fire. Where BTF is boozy, this one has sweet berries (not too sweet, but sweet). Blackmail opens very smokey for me, very much burning campfire with a background of toasted marshmallow. All the notes are immediately present, but the volume is turned highest on smoke. The oud doesn't stand out as oud and melts into the smoke. I struggle with oud sometimes, when it goes very patchouli and old fashioned, but this is not that. It works very well here and I don't get that rotting patchouli quality at all. The smoke slowly fades from burning to smouldering and the berries come out more. The vanilla is present the whole way through but acte as support and doesn't overpower. The sandalwood and amber do the same, but in a much more subtle way. The smoke lingers the whole time, but becomes more and more gentle like a dying fire. I sprayed it once on my wrist, and that was enough to leave a pleasant trail around me. Good sillage, but not monsterous. It lasted overnight. I sprayed it on around 7pm and now. Around 11 am the next day, it is still there, though soft. Overall, really enjoyed this one. I love smoke scents but it is nigh on impossible to find a good one. You either get barbecue, ashtray, or pencil shavings. This one is none of that, but manages to be a nice niche perfume without ever veering into a cheesy indie Halloween themed one. I will definitely be picking up a full size of this one at some point. Being that the bottles are 100ml, I imagine it will last me forever, as I live somewhere that's warm most of the year, and I can't see wearing this in weather over 70F.

Blackmail is my favorite Kerosene fragrance to date, and really perfection for someone who both enjoys oud scents and loves gourmand/amber scents. I can understand why its extremes--a reasonably heavy-handed use of oud but still an abundance of sweetness, overall--could each be a bit overwhelming to fans of more modest fragrances, but I love these extremes, and find them to be worked well with each other, as it leans slightly sweeter than oud-intensive, as would generally be my preference. The sweetness is also interestingly a great mix of creamy amber, vanilla, and fruits—specifically, mixed berries that lean toward raspberries, mostly. It’s a solid blend, not too fruity or too heavily vanilla-only. And at least on my skin, it’s strong—very strong—I’d give it a perfect 10 out of 10 as far as performance though it might be a smidge weaker on my skin than, say, the dark Slumberhouse juices (Ore, Jeke, Norne, Sova) or perhaps a couple of Tom Ford Private Blends, but it’s basically perfectly strong. I really only used a modest few sprays from what remains of my original decant from a couple of years ago, considering I’m at work, and it’s still beastly. The Kerosene atomizers are fortunately pretty strong and consistent but not, say, as overwhelming as Creed atomizers. Blackmail has the peculiarity of only being sold via the boutique of the same name in Austin, TX, and it must be ordered over the phone, as the boutique does not have an online shop. Needless to say, a little added effort is worthwhile if you love the fragrance as much as I do. And $140 for 100ml remains a great price for what generally are pretty strong perfumes from the Kerosene line. This is a superlative fragrance, a nod to both gourmand- and oud-lovers, and a fun, bold expression that reminds me why I love fragrances so much. 10 out of 10