#2 Spiritus / Land

This is very strange perfume, nevertheless beautiful and unique. As a big fan of spicy fragrances I have to admit I like it a lot however at the beginning the love was kind of painful from time to time. Before I bought Spiritus Land first I spayed it on the paper blotter and a little on the skin. So I was impressed and I didn’t have any objections to put it to my collection – it was my first choice for winter time two years ago. Of course next day before I went my work, I sprayed perfume over my body and clothes as well. How horribly I was surprised when everybody around me was asking who is eating chicken bullion. I realized it wasn’t any bullion it was me wearing Spiritus Land. During the weekend I spend many hours to understand what is going on (my body chemistry or something else?). Research was hard but finally I got answer. My suggestion is just avoid even touch of this perfume to your clothes. Really I have no idea at all what is going on but SL when touch fabrics immediately smells like meet soup. After morning shower spray it on your body and wait few minutes before wearing clothes. Than SL will develop as wonderful, spicy, woody scent. The main compounds, however not listed are cloves (in my opinion). They are mixed with cardamom and oriental spices you can find in Arabic markets. After 1-2 hours something unusual is happening, SL changes to fresh laundry smell. To the time I discovered SL I had experiences that fresh notes are always at the beginning – in the top of fragrances. Here is completely opposite direction, first the perfume is deep-woody and after while it begins clean. I can simply say it is wonderful and mysterious creation, but not for everybody. It was made with passion for those people who like to analyze what they are wearing. It can bring you to the fantastic world of oriental places different than common perfumes so called “spicy-oriental” created for mass market.

The first time I sampled this I thought it smelled a lot like Houbigant's Fougere Royale. It smelled very much like a clean soapy and very refreshing fougere to me, so I couldn't believe it when I saw it was mostly voted as a winter scent here on Fragrantica! I think it works equally good all year round. Later as I tested it more I found that incense to be more prominent and then it clicked why this would be viewed as a winter scent (though I still think this is completely versatile for all year). It was the incense note that eventually sold me. This is a fragrance that will grow on you and grow on you. You'll first think it's very odd and maybe a little too astringent, but then you'll try it again and suddenly end up enjoying it quite a bit. You'll then test it out over and over until it becomes one of your favorites. It's so addictive and enjoyable, and people here are spot on when they say it reminds them of a sacred temple or a solemn place. Full bottle worthy for me. Love it.

This is one of the best fragrances I've smelled. The ginger and incense with rosemary brings an energetic feeling...clean, spicy, brisk, and fresh! This incense will not overpower anyone who gets whelmed by heavy incense. Wow..so beautiful! I also love the lavender and geranium florals that are energizing with clove and cinnamon...mmm...mmm. The woods are beautiful and grounding...sandalwood, patchouli that doesn't overpower, and a "teak" wood note which is of course synthetic, but mixed perfectly into this incredible tonic of a scent. My one complaint is it's brevity. I wish it would surrond me all day in it's otherworldy fume, but alas...it lasts about two hours on my skin and then fades away to nothingness. I could smell like this everyday and be happy. Of course, I'd have to mix some conifers in there evertually, but this is truly a work of aromatic art! Two thumbs into the stratosphere!!!

I find this to be a beautifully dense yet light spice. It's a contradictory scent in that fresh, bright ginger dominates, but it's surrounded by dark, heavy notes. The push-and-pull of these elements is dynamic and, for me, quite captivating. I get front-and-center ginger surrounded by thick spices, incense, and woods. I am surprised to see rose so far down on the list of perceived notes since it's prominent to my nose. It adds a beautiful floral dimension to a scent that might otherwise lean towards "artistically elevated spice cabinet" - which this definitely is not. I see that other reviewers have identified this as masculine-leaning. That very well may be the case, but I'm so in love with it on my skin that to me that it feels perfectly feminine.

A twist on the classic church incense , with a more complex outcome (and thus more interesting to my nose) thanks to extra spices, florals and warm resins in the background, making it more unisex. The base will have a distinct sandalwood note appear. The final result is somewhat similar to CdG Jaisalmer. Interesting enough for me to put my hands on a partial bottle. Best worn on cold days. Edit: the overload of ginger and cumin, combined with the incense, is simply delightful, reminding me somewhat of L'Autre by Dyptique. I'm now in love with it, at such a level that I decided to buy a sealed back-up bottle (a rare occurence for me), when I saw a deal to good to pass on.