No8 Opopanax

The description and the notes icons seem a little awry as I detect no galbanum at all in #8. Notes listed I found elsewhere: bergamot, opoponax, cistus, santal, amber ... and it really does smell just like it reads. Simple, natural, deep and rich. I absolutely love this fragrance and the selection of notes. Bergamot gives #8 a subtley fresh lift, opoponax, some resinous mystery; a little cistus for a beautifully musky-amber/incensey floral; sandalwood for warmth and allure; amber for a humming radiance. I need to know where I can buy this (not having much luck surfing the net for it). I really want a bottle of this now as #8 really resonates well with me. Edit: I finally managed to acquire a bottle of this during my travels. Along with the other exclusives from Prada, this is available only at select Prada boutiques direct from their stores, or ordered and paid for over the phone.

Prada has really outdone themselves with this beautiful, ambery oriental. It has me wondering why mainstream brands always seem to knock me dead with their exclusive, hard-to-find releases. Prada Opoponax No.8 is quite sensual, warm and elegant. It opens with rich, resinous and slightly buttery opoponax and galbanum, with a subtle, citrusy hint of bergamot, which surprisingly works. As it dries on the skin, Opoponax No.8 turns quite powdery, yet it maintains it's delicious spiciness, and golden syrup type accord throughout. The musk also kicks in quite early in the composition, adding an animalistic touch, that smells oddly clean at the same time. The resins in this fragrance can be quite sweet, making it very feminine and sexy. In order to believe that this fragrance could work equally as well on men, I think I'd have to try it and see. The way I view Prada Opoponax No.8 is with great admiration. I think it's a total man magnet. Unfortunately the only downer is the lasting strength which is surprisingly weak. I have worn this fragrance twice in the last few days, one time on a rainy day where it struggled to last a few hours, and again today, where I perhaps only enjoyed it for the duration of the morning but desperately needed a touch up come the afternoon. Regardless of poor longevity, tossing it aside, Prada Opoponax No.8 is one of the most sensual and alluring orientals I've stumbled across in quite some time. If I ever have enough luck to find a bottle of this in my travels, I will be quick to purchase.

When i first spray this, i get all the notes together. There is sweetness from labdanum, woodiness in the background from sandalwood, greenery coming from galbanum, zest from bergamot and resinous amber coming from Opoponax. Interesting how this is at the same time soapy and ambery. Leans more feminine to me, but men can pull it off. This smells extremely warm and cozy, perfect for fall, but even more for winter time. A huge shame is that, the projection and longevity on this are not that good. Insanely rare and hard to find, but i dont understand why. I could definitely see this being one of Prada's hits.

Although not many notes mentioned, they are balanced perfectly. Starts out spicy in a non traditional way, then dries down to something resembling a powdery (typical w/ prada), soapy, syrupy, spicy gourmand. Though in no way appears edible. Resembles a classy niche scent, complex and potent, the way a limited addition should. Although iris is not mentioned, I believe I may choose this for the powdery note I am looking for at the moment. To me I smell more of what may appear to be iris than in infusion de homme.