Winter of '99

Pity we’re entering the fall in southern Arizona. I put Kerosene's Summer of ’84 back on the shelf yesterday. I wrote a farewell review to '84 this morning before taking down Winter of '99 from the same shelf. When I wear Winter of ’99, it smells exactly like the version of myself who stumbled out of college with a poli/sci degree, a beat-up Dodge, and absolutely no idea what came next. It’s that era when every day felt cold, unsure, and weirdly poetic when the world was bigger than my paycheck and smaller than my fear. The thick southern blackstrap molasses cool spices in the opening hit like the shock of stepping out into a Dallas winter with a thin coat because I couldn’t afford a better one. It has that sharp, metallic chill of early adulthood. It’s bracing, uncomfortable, almost medicinal in how honest it feels. It reminds me of waking up in an unheated apartment, seeing my breath hang in the air, and convincing myself I was “building character.” Then the perfume shifts, and the vanilla, amber, and resinous woods roll in smelling warm and slightly sweet, but still a bit rough around the edges. This part feels like those nights when I’d sit on a secondhand couch with a cheap blanket and even cheaper whiskey, telling myself things would eventually make sense. There’s a coziness here, but it’s earned, not given. It smells like messily and stubbornly trying to build a life with whatever scraps I had. The smoky undertone is the real nostalgia hook. On my skin, it smells like burned-out candles in an apartment I couldn’t keep clean, the faint char of over-toasted bagels that doubled as dinner, and the lingering smoke from friends who’d crowd around the kitchen table arguing about millennium dreams and debt in the same breath. It's the scent of uncertainty itself. It’s soft, hazy, and unresolved. Winter of ’99 is not a comforting scent. It’s a remember-this scent. It smells like survival mode disguised as ambition. It smells like wondering if I’d ever stop living paycheck to paycheck. It smells like the nights I questioned everything and the mornings I got up anyway. And somehow, wearing it now makes all of that feel beautiful in a way it never did at the time.

Winter of 99 is Kerosene's latest website-exclusive release (that is, it's not available through its other retailers) in fairly rapid succession following the release of Sacred Memory in late 2018. Winter of 99 is a cozy vanilla scent described simply on the website as a blend of smoldering vanilla, woods, molasses, and nutmeg. Its opening is a bit spicy, the nutmeg coming out and providing some contrast to what is a significant vanilla accord—not so much a bourbon or extra-sweet Madagascar vanilla but perhaps a more subdued version of a cakey, baking vanilla, almost like vanilla extract but without the bite of alcohol. As it dries down, it becomes more of a vanilla/woody/molasses mix. The vanilla in Winter of 99 definitely leans smoky, and it’s not “over the top” sweet while still being quite sweet and frankly, dense. My inclination is to say that the molasses factors in strongly as the fragrance dries down and really provides the character of the fragrance for most of its life. Molasses is sweet but not as sweet as vanilla, and I suspect it’s used heavy-handedly in Winter of 99 to help the vanilla seem more “smoldering.” I really cannot make a reasonable comparison to another vanilla-dominant fragrance I’ve tried, and I like that, as it’s often somewhat difficult for vanilla fragrances, of which there are so many, to stand out from the crowd, so to speak. It’s a strong performer, on par with most of the more winter-leaning offerings of the house. And with this second wearing, it’s won me over and I believe it to be full-bottle-worthy. Certainly at minimum I’d recommend trying a sample, but as usual, Kerosene offers great value at $140 for 100ml. 8 out of 10

Going back to the sweeter side of the house of Kerosene, I landed on Winter of ’99 in the 100ml EDP. The concept alone sets the mood. It feels like the late 90s in Detroit, a heavy snowstorm rolling in while Y2K anxiety lingers in the background. Instead of chaos, though, it leans into comfort. You are inside, warm, wrapped up, with something hot in your hands while the cold stays outside. The opening is a really beautiful blend of smoky woods and soft spice. The smoke comes across dry and delicate rather than heavy, which makes it feel smooth and easy to wear. There is a subtle gingerbread-like warmth early on, likely from nutmeg in the background, along with a light molasses sweetness that starts to peek through. After about 30 minutes to an hour, it softens and becomes a bit sweeter, but never overly so. The molasses and vanilla come forward more, adding warmth and depth without turning it into a sugary scent. It stays balanced, cozy, and slightly nostalgic the entire way through. This is a fantastic holiday fragrance in my opinion. It feels festive without trying too hard, and the sweetness is just enough to keep it inviting. It really shines in cooler weather and fits perfectly in fall and winter. If you have tried Memoirs of a Trespasser from Imaginary Authors, this sits in a similar space, just a touch sweeter with a bit more of that gingerbread and nutmeg spice. This is a beautiful, simple, and festive fragrance that captures the feeling of the holidays in a very natural way. It is cozy, slightly sweet, and easy to come back to. Really nice work from John Pegg.

WINTER OF '99 is a stunning sweater scent! It's spicy but soft, bold, cozy, and delightfully FUZZY! Interesting and comforting. I found it to be generally gourmand but only slightly sweet. It has a very dry quality that lends it to even more warmth than typical sweetness could achieve. A spiced vanilla over creamy woods with a single wisp of white smoke hanging in the air. It's unlike anything I've encountered before. This isn't your typical holiday scent that's sticky sweet and extra friendly. This isn't bending over backwards to please people or be joyful. This is you being warm in your own authentic way. Not seeking attention or compliments, just living your life thoughtfully, honestly, and with purpose. Not jumping on the crowded holiday train but finding your own path through the snowy wood. This is adult drinks and baking at home for yourself and a few select visitors. This isn't about mass appeal, you aren't trying to impress anyone. You wear what you like and naturally have incredible taste. If you are looking for a cold weather scent that is unique but still inviting, strangely welcoming, and different but familiar, WINTER OF '99 is the fragrance for you. Perfectly unisex. Unexpected and charming, just like you. This scent is a treasure. Sweetness with an edge speaks to my soul. I have found my fragrance house, it's Kerosene. P.S. Smelling this reminds me of someone with very dry humor who rarely laughs, but wow, when they do it just feels so special. A rare moment that you were happy/honored to be a part of and will remember fondly, for ages. Keep it close.

Initial blast smells like an eggnog with a heavy handed dose of nutmeg. It seems to fade on my skin right away, but leaves a mild, pleasant, and frothy vanilla scent. Like a whipped Winter drink. This is simple enough as a skin scent. Not much else I can say about it for now, further testing is needed. UPDATE: alright, so after a night and entire workday wearing this I can now say that this is a hidden masterpiece! It is basically the perfect Holiday fragrance, such simple note composition but such deep complexity. I don't know how Mr. Pegg did it but this is absolutely fantastic. At first sniff this is a pretty linear eggnog scent that faded quickly into a muted vanilla on my skin. So I tested this on my face buff that I wear to work. The entire car ride to the factory I was surrounded by a cloud of wonderful holiday spice and a deep sweet almost tobacco type scent. The first thing I thought of was a Christmas bowl, and by bowl, a well used wood tobacco pipe with a special holiday blend inside. Somehow the molasses and woods note dominate and are reminiscent of a sweet maple like pipe tobacco I used to smoke back in the day. This was my experience, I may have a weird nose to smell things that aren't there but I am grateful for it. I will be purchasing a full bottle of this immediately.