Arcanum

Navitus Parfums Arcanum is part of the trio of new releases from March 2020. Out of the sprayer, it smells like a sweeter, cinnamon/vanilla/coconut/tonka cousin of Absolutio, but on skin, the prominence of the oud creates a more of a blend between the sweet elements and oud, not a gourmand. Other contributing notes include resins, woods, and osmanthus. Evolution wise, the sweets are most prominent in the initial blast, with the oud almost taking over, before finding a balance after about 60-90 minutes. I rather enjoy this juxtaposition: a medley of sweet, creamy, resinous, if slightly powdery notes, contra the strong Laotian oud. Still, overall, Arcanum is pretty sweet, not as a sweet as Absolutio but perhaps the second sweetest in the Navitus line that I’ve tried so far. I really dig the coconut/oud combination, in particular. Though the cinnamon/vanilla mix is more prominent for me in the start, the coconut is what resonates for me longer into wearing. Its performance is strong, right up there next to the two ouds from the original seven, and following the precedent of most of the releases consisting of dense, long-lasting juice. Currently, Arcanum is only sold on the Navitus website, though I believe both Perfumology and Osswald NYC will ultimately have it available on their sites, as well. It’s sold in only the 50ml size, parfum concentration, for $135. Like Lautus, I think Arcanum is a great release for the new trio, and I’m further looking forward to trying Opulentas, as well! Overall, Arcanum is right up there with my favorite releases of the house, a real nice option for cooler weather, especially, I’d say, 8 out of 10

#1484 in my "Tour de Fragrance" I was in a German hotel for a marketing meeting when I discovered a marvelous German chocolate bar with cinnamon and coconut by Nucao.At first bite I was like, "How the hell have America chocolatiers never thought of that?" Sadly it's not available here. But that's what this scent brought to mind and had me wishing this scent had some cacao in it. Still, it's a unique and delicious scent that I think both men and women can enjoy. It's not gourmand per say, no sweetness, which adds to its uniqueness, and the olibanum adds to its endurance. Sillage is very moderate but the skin scent holds up, and I think this is really a scent you wear for the enjoyment of an intimate partner more than causal or business wear. This is not widely available here in the States and prices run $200-300 and up, so try a decant first and make sure it's worth it to you. It's pricey, but it is a singular scent those around you are unlikely to have smelled before. The only other time I've encountered cinnamon and coconut in a scent is Armaf "Odyssey Artisto" which lacks the olibanum and this has and I think Artisto is trying to be a JPG Le Beau similar. I got this as a decant, but when Maxaroma gets it back in stock I'm going for it

Currently the top "reminds me of" is Herod and I can see what people are smelling. It definitely smells somewhat like Herod, but it's still different. Something in this gives off that tobacco vibe from Herod, but it's closer to a booze scent to my nose than a honey cigar. Regardless, I love it and I was going to let this travel size go, but it's worth keeping now.

I really really like this. I went into the Discovery Set pretty sure Lautus was the one I'd love and even though Lautus is great it was Arcanum who stole the show. The smell is familiar, it certainly is but it's executed in a masterful way and it's crazy long lasting. One of the best by Navitus, perhaps the best so far. Bottle worthy!

This fragrance is intoxicating. However, the above comparisons are way off. This smells nothing like side affect, nothing like Polaris, nothing like 24 good, nothing like rhagba. This are people randomly voting. This fragrance is nothing like I've smelled it's incredible