Smoky Soul

Olfattivo Studio – Smoky Soul is a highly distinctive niche fragrance that immediately makes it clear it is not meant for everyone – and that is exactly where its strength lies. The opening is rich and dark, built around refined smoky accords that are expertly crafted and perfectly balanced, without any harshness or excess. Although by its structure and intensity it is clearly an evening fragrance, for me personally Smoky Soul has a unique, almost meditative dimension. It is my zen scent – a fragrance that calms me, grounds me, and brings me back into balance. The smoky notes feel warm and soothing rather than heavy, creating a sense of inner peace and focus. The composition develops on the skin in a layered and elegant way, evolving from pronounced smokiness into deeper, warmer nuances that convey maturity and luxury. The quality of the ingredients is evident, and the way the fragrance naturally merges with the skin reflects a high level of niche perfumery craftsmanship. Longevity and projection are excellent, fully aligned with high-end niche standards – noticeable yet always controlled and refined. Smoky Soul possesses that rare quality of sophisticated quietness: it is perceived, remembered, but never overwhelms its surroundings. For me, this is a true signature fragrance. Serious, confident, and authentic, yet at the same time calming and introspective. Smoky Soul is not a trend-driven scent, but a fragrance with character and soul – one of the finest smoky niche perfumes in my collection and a fragrance I always return to.

Got this as mistake. Ordered dark room but they sent this. Didn't want to go through the return process so we both agreed that I keep this. The Soul series is a newer idea from the house, perfumed by Marc Antoine, with tea topics. The topic of this one is lapsang souchong (正山小种), a classic Chinese black tea. I like the not too sweet osmanthus opening. It then turns into a little bit smoky tea note, similar to Gris Charnel, but it goes a separate way without any fig. It stays a floral scent with bits of leathery and earthy scent. As some people put it, I find it similar to Russian Tea in some ways, but a lot more floral than that. It's quite unique but certainly not everyone 's cup of tea. Do try before you buy it.

It's a slightly smoky tea highlighted by a fine osmanthus. I sense a mentholated freshness lurking in the background (frankincense?). I would define this fragrance as semi-classy, aiming for great depth of spirit but Smoky Soul never seems to fully reveal itself. Yes, the whole is delicate, even too much so...The depth of the soul got lost along the way and if I must admit it is well crafted, the experience remains rather dull. The longevity and projection are average, so each aspect of Smoky Soul is ultimately restrained. The scent is well suited to a lonely professor in search of a long-lost spark.

At first spray it reminded me of Ferré's Geffeeffe. They have the same osmanthus. After that I get above all a bergamot oloong tea and a bright jasmine. Also pops of rose and patchouli. It's comfortable, easy and more daytime. Modern 90s. Smoky?

I don't get the notes listed. For me, it's an earthy, birch-y(smokey) scent with a hint of sweetness, just enough to balance it and save it from becoming completely unwearable. It smells witch-y and tenebrous.

Tea fragrances have never really worked out for me. It's not my style, but I can appreciate them from the distance, if done right. Smoky Soul, as derived from the name, could have potentially solved it for me by introducing a strong smoky accord - an accord I very much enjoy. But the end result was completely the opposite. Not because it's too smoky or anything like. Quite the contrary, I don't get much smoke. It opens briefly synthetic, followed by a strong dosage of sharp peppery spice which doesn't last long and it withers down for a strong and rather heady fruitiness to take over, reminiscent of apricot/peach. That is derived from the osmanthus, but it's too much for my liking. And once the heart notes push through, I dislike it even more. A clear herbaceous tea-like accent joins, but it's not your usual Earl Grey tea; it does smell more rounded and natural, which I do like, and it does bring a rather forced smoky accord, which is not very prominent to my nose. But the way it plays its hand with the jasmine and rose just really doesn't appeal to me. The rose is slightly dewy and gently sweet, while the jasmine is more grassy, almost waxy, and as I've found information about the specific "Jasmine Auriculatum Absolute", it's also "the most herbaceous and least conventionally floral" of most jasmine iterations, thing I can approve. Not much more happens after this. The fragrance keeps that watery/dewy accent alive through the seaweed note and kind of amplifies it, giving the patchouli next to it a gently damp undertone. Not much vetiver either to make for a damp earth finisher or stronger woody presence. Just like @TheDunkPapa stated in his statement below, "a smoky soul, but missing a body to back it up", I feel like Smoky Soul lacks something. The notes don't really feel like they unite as in a choir; it just doesn't feel that coherent. But on top of that, I just personally don't enjoy it either. Not terribly strong on the performance side of things. Did manage good longevity of around 9-10 hours on my skin, but pushing power was again, missing some backup. First hour was fairly prominent without being too strong at any time, and from there it would gently but surely settle down, hardly pushing at all by the 3-4 hour marks. If one good thing comes from Smoky Soul not really being all that smoky is increased versatility. Most people would struggle wearing a smoky-first fragrance more than a fruity-herbal-floral composition such as this. It leans a little more feminine in my opinion, and it can dabble in a wide range of situations, from daily to special occasions. Doubt anyone would deem it signature scent worthy, though. But what do I know? In the end, there will always be people who will like it. Frankly, the way I got to smell Smoky Soul and snatch a sample was through a cousin of mine who really enjoys it. Granted, he does love tea scents, while I don't really gravitate towards them. That aside, for the €230 that the fragrance goes for, I see pretty poor value overall. The composition simply doesn't bring enough to the table, let alone the "smoky" part. So to spend that kind of money on a bottle, you really and I mean REALLY got to like Smoky Soul. For me, I'll skip it without a second's thought. Presentation: 7/10 Scent: 5.5/10 Longevity: 8/10 Projection: 4/10 Versatility: 8.5/10 Value for Money: 2/10 Overall: 5.8/10

Боже ничего ужаснее я не слышала, это прокуренный металлический туалет( дырка в полу) в электричке или поезде России, флакон покупала для распива и именно он из всей линейки пришел протёкшим, доставая его у меня несколько раз вызвало рвотный рефлекс. Это ужасно

Smells like cold smoked fish...

I like this very much! It a beautiful, rather abstract composition highlighting the more leathery aspects of osmanthus. It's dense and rich, while staying transparant and airy at the same time, indeed like the steam rising from a cup of stong lapsang souchong....... Floral and leathery with a discreet whiff of smoke and a touch of sweetness, this is a distinctive yet very wearable fragrance. But then, Marc-Antoine Corticciato never disappoints........

For me this is too similar to Russian tea Masque Milano with a hint of Osmanthus Interdite. It’s definitely a nice perfume, but I am not convinced. Maybe if they have 15 ml, but this is not what I expected from this launch.