Saja

Great fragrance. Special occasion level. It has a serious, elevated feel to it. Strong longevity. Unisex.

Very nice play on POL DNA. Beast mode A little sweeter and maybe more mass appealing Formal and date night

Opening of smoky, peppery woods with a tinge of sour oudy undertones. The pink pepper comes across like black pepper, rough and earthy, as it mixes with the incense. The rose steadily picks up as the opening fades, along with a sweet green patchouli. Strong projection for 4-5hr, longevity 16hr+. Compared to its siblings, it sorta mixes Nuage Noir's dry dustiness with Nayssabour's sour rose-oud.

I'm testing this blind, not knowing anything about the brand, fragrance, or notes. This opens up aromatic and somewhat tonic-like before the elements of what I can only describe as a blend of mineral leather and boozy solvent settle. It has a familiar note that recalls fragrances from Frederic Malle and Etat Libre d'Orange that I personally have a hard time with, but clearly must sell or these houses wouldn't be going down this path. For me there's an unpleasant and pungent side that is reminiscent of automotive cleaning solvents and while I can understand this might be a romantic way to conjure up something unfamiliar, dark, and moody, there's something in the air about it I just find off-putting. As the day wears on, this fragrance changes and while I get little whiffs of something I do like and it's quality comes through, anytime I get too close I wince. Looking at the notes, I'll say out front the brand website says peach not pear, but either don't seem present, nor does the raspberry which may bend the fragrance but isn't detectable as itself. The incense is not your classic variety and mixed with the rose, violet, amber wood and agarwood, saffron, and patchouli are likely what combine into my experience: dusty, moody, slightly rosy and dry powderiness with an aromatic position that you either like or don't (like me). At the same time the quality comes through and the longevity and projection is solid. Quality fragrance for those that want something unique and don't care what I think or feel about it.

I'm going to get my cheeks ripped open for this, but once you get past the sour ass opening, this dries down into a more mass appealing POAL. I know POAL is legendary in the community, but to a lot of non frag heads, it stinks; sorry but thems the facts. This doesn't have that damp, dankness of POAL, which isn't a bad thing at all, and actually gives portrait a lot of it's character, it's just not mass appealing is all. This lasts quite a minute (I got 10 hours off a 2ml sprayer) and is strong and potent but not unwieldy, just ease on the trigger.

One of the best rose perfume out there. Just my preference over Frederick Malle Portrait of a lady or ZAHAROFF signature rose or MFK Oud Satin Mood or even LV Les Sables Roses. I just feel like it’s more well rounded, more balanced. Definitely beast mode... 2 sprays. One on each side of the back of the neck from a 2ml vial lasted the whole night until the next day. So price wise a bottle it will last a loooong time coz you just need on a couple of sprays therefor great value.

The POAL comparison is spot on. It’s a more likeable, ambery and sweeter version of POAL with the same performance and projection. Rather pleasant to be honest.

@SmellsFargo totally agree with your POAL comparison