Shihan (Sensei)

Surely among my favorite cold weather fragrances, Sensei (now named Shihan) is a wonderful mix of several favorite notes, or categories of notes, specifically: whiskey, coffee, and tobacco. The dancer-turned-perfumer released the original 3x33ml (in EDT/EDP/Extrait) presentation in 2014, but by the end of 2015, when I finally ordered a bottle, the presentation had switched over to the single-concentration 100ml EDP variety, which very much smells like the EDP in the original arrangement. Since then, the scent has been renamed “Shihan” due to what I assume was some sort of a legal dispute, but I still like calling it Sensei. In short, this is a winter, masculine-leaning delight, not that it’s strictly for men (despite the existence of a later release, the more feminine-leaning She Sensei, now She Shihan). It includes familiar notes that are somehow rarely all together in one fragrance: whiskey, coffee, and tobacco are the main players, an amalgam of bold winter contributors that play off one another superbly in this dark, dense concoction. The main trio is supported heavily by resins (incense, labdanum, amber, myrrh) along with the curious ambrette seed and some musk, though I don’t especially detect these two. The main story is the boozy tobacco coffee with a healthy dose of resins which satisfies several vices in one bold fragrance. I get exceptional performance on my skin, beast mode for hours and then moderate for hours beyond that, exceptional longevity and very good projection overall, certainly what I expect for high-quality niche juice that suits the colder weather, particularly. The pricing has consistently remained $160 for 100ml (in the US, sold only by Luckyscent) for the past three years, and this value is great, in the same range as Kerosene, 4160 Tuesdays, Hilde Soliani, Phaedon, etc., particularly as his more recent releases have increased in pricing to $175 or $195. While the intrigue of the original presentation will always remain high, and I’m glad to have one of those, the 100ml EDP is still excellent, and the basis for my review / recommendation. Also, for what it’s worth, the name change does not seem correlate with any change in the actual juice as I’ve tried the 100ml EDP Shihan and it’s the same as Sensei. Sensei is a supremely excellent release, nearly-perfect, in my opinion, and a winter staple, in particular. It both conjures cold weather times and also reinforces those occasions when wearing it. Truly a majestic scent. 9 out of 10

Fragrances can be hate or love. They can be forgotten.This is an instant love for me and there are only a few that made to this category and pass the test all the way from the top to the dry down! The minute I have tried it, It took me with the storm. Such a beautiful and unique creation. Opens with a balsamic,resinous and warm spicy dusty notes of rich strong brewed coffee and tobacco ,followed by whiskey note which is giving it extra kick of uniqueness. Going over to even more spices, incense and myrrh. I can smell cinnamon and cardamom that blend perfectly with the arabica coffee note. Its unique more tamed and smooth labdanum ambery base stays still with the undertones of above mentioned both tobacco and coffee which I love especially huge fan of the true coffee note. Great gourmand theme presented all the way in this fragrance without this sometimes overdosed sweetness you can meet in a few other fragrances that makes you feel dizzy not always in a positive way! Much for the people who loves and seek unique,deep, warm,comforting scents. Scents that evokes senses and memories.Scent that invites to life in all the positive way. Definitely a must have in my collection. Glad I will soon add the bottle. Be aware a new one is comming called She <3 Sensei for the ladies : notes :plum,rose,coffee,vanilla,myrrh,cinnamon,ambrette,labdanum,tobacco,musc.

This is not the scent for someone young or juvenile as it's not playful... This smells of Christmas to me... Good Christmas... OLD Christmas... I get lots of incense, spices, and amber... The whiskey/boozy vibe is fleeting and it leaving almost as fast as it appeared doesn't upset me in the least... As time moves on will get just the slightest hints of coffee and the tobacco comes peaking through from time to time in the way that it does in Canfield Cedar by Kerosene but again I predominantly get incense, spices, and amber... (NOTE: These two fragrances don't smell alike at all... Just the uses of tobacco in the two scents are similar...) This is also not at all sweet... It feels warm and for me is actually VERY comforting... Old holiday memories... Good memories... Warm safe memories... I am not sure if this fragrance is still available as the brand's website no longer works and places like Luckyscent are out of stock of the entire fragrance library... This is not a fragrance that I think I will ever want to be without so I really hope it is still in production... This is a 10/10 for me... Just incredible stuff... (Reviewing the EDP Shihan version of the fragrance... MUST be worn on skin...)

Rich and warm smoky, resin orient with the gourmand theme. Well balanced, based on natural ingredients arrangement of Cuban tobacco with accompanied by bitter Arabic coffee and nonchalant chord of elegant alcohol with attractive touches of colonial spices, classic frankincense, myrrh and exquisite labdanum based on ambrette absolute and long-lasting molecules of oriental muscs. Composition of amber color resulting from the use of only natural essences, is designed for strong and courageous personalities conscious of their choices, which often happen to occur in exceptional situations. Fragrance in a gentle but very characteristic manner surrounding the figure with a unique aura which remains solid and slowly changes their sound in the space of time. It's the description made by Piotr Czarnecki which I 100% agree :)

I like it. I like the notes, I like how subtle it comes across. It's very very wearable, masculine or feminine honestly. It doesn't have the greatest dry down, but I really love these notes. I think this perfume is very solid. It's warm, smoky, the top notes are full of color and spice. There is definitely some musk at the bottom, but it works very well with the remaining notes. It's not outstanding or out of this world, but it's very nice and I wouldn't mind adding a bottle to my collection. 7/10 Update: I never stop thinking about this fragrance... or this perfume house. I am obsessed now. I don't know what I was thinking before -this is delectable, warm, cozy, it's lovely.... time to save up for a bottle! 8/10