Osang

Dim yellow light reluctantly infiltrates the overgrown chapel, where devotees in gray linen robes peel palms in the middle, wrapping them in resin mixed with incense ashes to prevent decay. The remaining parts are thrown into a mass grave, rumored to carry a strong scent of blood. I didn't smell it, or perhaps I'm numb to the bloody, leaving only a layer of not-so-sweet sweetness in the depths of my nostrils. As he works, he murmurs indistinctly to the withered palms: "Make you into medicine, to heal you." These words, like a whisper emanating from the fragrance, but from my perspective as a spectator, I understand: this is a medicine made for the resurrection of God, and the person made into the medicine is already a part of the body of God. Supplying God is healing man—death terminates the decay and corruption of humanity. After writing all this, I found the inspiration for this fragrance interesting: the patron saint of Naples, Italy, was beheaded and martyred, and his blood has been preserved to this day. The coral branch in the perfume bottle symbolizes the solidified blood of the saint. By the way, I found out that in the third time in 2020, the Holy Blood did not liquefy during the ceremony, causing astonishment and concern among the people of Naples about disaster. Do not blind buy. Some may find it familiar, but more regret it the moment it is sprayed. This fragrance still has practicality: it will keep others away from you. They won't think you sprayed perfume but rather that you work during the day and return to an ancient mansion to boil medicine for the bishop all day, doing your true job.

This perfume seems to show vast differences in the different batches. I have gotten a sample from a German retailer, one from Mendittorosa in Naples and the 100ml flask that I bought. The samples from the retailer were absolutely lovely. A lovely smooth transition. Very floraly and comforting. A romantic, seductive scent, lasting forever on my skin. Therefore I bought the 100ml bottle which smelled nothing like the testers. A very harsh incensy smell that never seemed to develop into any lovely notes as well. It smells like your smudging your house with too much myrrh and you’re getting sick from it. A harsh punishing everlasting smell. I contacted Mendittorosa, checking the batch code, which was legit. They provided me with another sample from their manufacturing. Again it didn’t seem to come close to the first samples at all and more to the 100ml flacon. But here the notes were much more sweet and carrying. Not so punching myrrh-like as from the big bottle. So yes, there seem to be huge inconsistencies in the batches unfortunately. Otherwise I do love the smells but since two of the testers are smelling like completely different perfumes, it’s hard to create a proper review. The bottle is being sent back to the retailer for further evaluation with Mendittorosa. Updates are coming as soon as.

This is a honey / amber scent that initially gives you vibes of Grand Soir or even Bee by Zoologist but there's a real richness and complexity to this that separates it out from those other two. The churchy herbs in here give it a smoky, incensey sort of vibe that lingers long after the top notes have dissipated. It has similar vibes to Amouage Interlude in that it immediately transports you to a place that feels slightly old. With Interlude, that transportation is to an ancient temple, with this it's more like a European Catholic church. The bottle design, as with all Menditorrosa, is an absolute work of art and really needs to be seen in person to be properly appreciated. Its a masterpiece. I suppose if I had to make any criticism of it then it would be a recognition of the very high price point combined with wearability. Those seem like slightly silly things to mention though. You didn't buy a bottle of perfume centred around the story of an Italian blood ritual with THAT bottle because you thought it would be good for the office or the club, did you?

After two days of this I think I have enough of a handle on it to express an opinion. It opens up very salty and mineral-ly like others from this series reminding me of the smell of rocks on a cool, windswept beach. I appreciate this phase more than actually enjoying it. The middle is where the honey takes over and I get some of what others are referring to as a "piss" note. Again, not really a fan at this point though I don't hate it. The final phase though is the perfect sum of myrrh, iris and honey and this part is to die for - sweet myrrh seen through a haze of cool iris and still projecting magnificently even at the 12 hour mark. I've been searching for the perfect myrrh fragrance for awhile and if it were all like this, even the crazy price wouldn't deter me. Unfortunately though, with its "interesting" opening and "difficult" middle I'm going to move on.

From top note to drydown, it’s like being caught in the middle of a religious procession. Opens with a heavy incense blast, accompanied quickly by a thick powdery cloud. Everything feels dense and heavy and stern, as if you are being silenced into submission. What follows is a thick, dusty scent of old wooden cabinets, benches, books, sweat and maybe even an embalmed corpse somewhere. Thick honey, myrrh, amber, resin, and wax slowly intermingle amidst a wall of prayer. But not all is gloom and doom, a hopeful hint of orange, clove, and iris cuts through the darkness with a tingling camphoric effect. What a trip! This wears more like a private / personal scent with meditative powers. Not something to wear on your first date or a sinful night out of debauchery.