Tirtha (तीर्थ)

Superlatively strange - and very, very special indeed. One of the most eccentric and distinctive Prin creations of all, which is saying quite something. Despite shelling out for full RRP on a full bottle, plus stiff postage costs for it to be sent all the way from Thailand - an agonising ordeal for a tightwad skinflint like myself - I've waited and hesitated to review it because its bizarre power over my senses is almost intimidating to me. It's so odd, so sophisticated, so intelligent I wondered if I'd ever really figure it out. So what wove the spell? Perhaps the way it can marry serious, deep greenness (so often hostile ground for me) with spiciness and warmth in such an utterly unique fashion. No denying it - the opening is almost medicinally harsh; a banging clash of camphor and lemongrass and galbanum washes over you in an overwhelming green wave, conjuring ointments and mothballs and almost-intolerable herbal potions concocted to fight off the most determined mosquito (or parasite?). There's something there of insect-repellant coils and sprays and the sort of bitter draughts which are meant to be good for you but make you feel almost dizzy, almost choking on them. It's most definitely a challenge for the first hour. But. But. But..... Something happens here that is MAGIC. It mellows and warms and lets the late-afternoon sunshine in, turning into a golden-yellow idyll. Gentler spicy and floral notes rise and blossom, comforting and bewitching at the same time. It's still dizzying, but in an ecstatic way this time. The almost-queasy reaction to the open ebbs away, and you feel cured, healed, and with your eyes (and nose) open to it all in a whole new light. It's an entire ecosystem unto itself, a tropical forest pilgrimage ending in revelation. Prin Lomros makes you smell the universe and feel at one with it. That gorgeous drydown - sweet without sugar, all-natural through and through, makes me weak at the knees, and it lingers for many fantastic hours more - an aura of harmony and peace which is recognisably an evolution of that rough start, but also in absolute contrast to it. Just an incredible scent paradox and one I hope so spend many, many more days contemplating and thinking about. If you just want to "smell nice", then forget about it. But if you want to absolutely expand your mind and your senses, then this is one to study and learn a lot from from. And if the stars align, to fall hopelessly in love with, just like I did.

Revisited this fragrance from a month ago. It has gotten really spectacular. Really it is shinning. Needed some time to open up. Kudos to Prin on this bottle to honor pilgrimage. I think to wear this would be Fall and Spring.

mmmm piney, me like Smells pleasant, but would not wear. Pretty comforting scent though

I find the camphor in the opening very challenging, with the davana its giving off an ointment vibe, and is masculine. I quite like the drydown, its a very soft palatable cumin with a slight aldehydic lift, a faint floral in the far distance keeping it spirited. Very different fragrance from beginning to end. If it started differently, I might purchase but alas.

Tirtha is like shoving your head down the grass in Thailand, uplifting smell but at the same time it is dirty. Does not really smell like a fragrance to me. Very realistic scent which it gets bonus points for. The notes resemble the scent quite well, I cannot provide a clearer picture.