Pepper

Wow, this is an exquisite rendering of cracked black pepper....captures the different facets beautifully - aromatic, warm + spicy. Simply beautiful

Perfectly poised piquant delight from Perfumer H, very much in the house's signature style - naturalesque, light, diplomatic, upscale stuff. Initial pepper is really present, but not bludgeoning, banging dark-black as in, say CDG Blackpepper: here it's somehow more botanical, almost floral, in its array of subtle tones around the crackle of spice. Gives an effect more of pink (or even green) peppercorns than the moodier gunpowder of black ones, but there's no mistaking their presence - it definitely fulfils the brief. The lovely light-wooden background really lets the pepper shine, and when the initial burn subsides (which it does, quite fast, unfortunately - you only get about 1-2 hours of the first effect) it's still a lovely aura. That very Perfumer H backdrop of sheer, almost transparent resin works just fine here - I had thought it was their often-used and very pleasant Somali frankincense, but notes list suggest an equally classy mix of gurjun, cedar and elemi, which does the job just as admirably. Very nice work indeed, and there's absolutely nothing to be scared of here even if big spice-beasts are not your bag; perfectly unisex, eminently wearable. Some might even find it too understated, and its overall longevity isn't great (maybe 4-5 h); although while it'sexpensive, the price is reasonable for what it is. More minimal than some other things from the brand which still include that lovely pepperiness but in a more 'built scent' with a wider spectrum of other ingredients too. Fine craftsmanship, nothing overcooked, just mixed with a light and tasteful hand.