Inverness

If you’re looking for a straight up unisex woody fragrance that’s got a buttery orris, but never lipsticky or too powdery or too sweet, I implore you to get a sample of Inverness. Think Le Labo Gaiac 10 but denser and textured, almost velvety. Wood forward with a gentle smokiness and warmth. My favorites to layer it with are Gaiac 10 or for more vanilla and iris, Iris Malikhan. Beautiful on its own though. Inverness is for those who like sandalwood, iris/orris, and a soft smoke from guaiacwood. And just to clarify nothing it’s nothing like Santal 33 or Dior Homme Intense. If you like fragrances such as Gaiac 10 or Prada L’Homme, you’ll probably appreciate the simplicity and beauty of Inverness. Perfumer Nadege La Garlantezec Official notes: Top: french orris butter, Mate absolute Heart: Australian Sandalwood essence, Amyris essence Base: Cedarwood essence, Guaiac wood essence from Atlas Mountains of Texas

OH. MY. GOODNESS. If my early blind-buy purchases this month are any indication of how the rest of 2024 will be, then I will be the luckiest person in the world!!! Inverness...this is THE sandalwood fragrance for me! Yes, it somewhat resembles Gris Charnel, BUT, if you replaced the fig with a heaping dose of Iris (and a well-done one at that), and eliminated the cardamom and dialed up the sandalwood, then you would have Inverness. There's a very soft, powdery floral aspect that runs through this fragrance, too. Sorry Sherwood, but Inverness is the star of this sandalwood show! This fragrance has one of the most alluring sillages' that I've had the pleasure of smelling. And the longevity is out of this world ---to the point that even after I showered, I could still smell it on my skin. The bottle is stunning as well. An amazing blind-buy success!!!!

Wow! I see I am not the only one who is thrilled with a lucky blind buy (not something that usually works out well for me). This fragrances is everything I want. It's woody and slightly powdery. It feels light but substantial and just spicy enough. The longevity is fine and I love the way it reacts on skin - this warm, coziness, a feeling of calm. The wood notes are realistic and natural. I thought I detected the tell-tale sign of ambroxan but I am not sure if it was used in Inverness. If it was, it was used at a quantity to not bother me or make my nose itch (as it does). The only downside to this fragrance is the bottle - I agree that it seems to reference Burberry. It has a distinct tartan pattern and the plate gives an expensive look but I don't love the design. But who cares! This juice is amazing.

I totally agree with one of the other commentors here as Santal 33 came to mind because of it's image and aura and well...I really don't like Santal 33, which is a shame but I just think it's a bit harsh. I'm not saying this is trying to be that fragrance but this is far better. Smoother and a bit more complex, if that's a basic way of describing it. Not harsh and really great wearing this whilst walking around a park on an autumn day, maybe just wearing a grey polo neck if you like that sort of thing with brown trousers and Chelsea boots and a scarf. I'm no poet but I think you catch my drift. If you do go to Inverness in autumn or winter there is a high chance that you will experience the fog, possibly the rain and the cool mist, which is absolutely the perfect weather to be wearing this fragrance.

This was probably my most exciting blind-buy of Winter. While there are vague similarities to Gris Charnel, my opinion is that the only thing Gris Charnel does better is longevity/projection. There’s a deeper sandalwood and iris here. This scent is warmer, cozier, and infinitely less synthetic. Very moreish, very mysterious. I can’t seem to get enough of this, which is worrisome because whenever I fall for a scent, it ends up being discontinued. What I did find problematic was that upon first usage, I was not transported back to 18th century Scotland and into the arms of a handsome highlander. This was somewhat of a disappointment, and for the price tag, Memo could’ve gone the extra mile.