Journeyman

I believe this was released in 2009, first as an extrait then as an absolute. Then unfortunately it was discontinued a few years later. Liz said that she'd be releasing it again as an oil sometime in 2016, but doesn't look like that's going to happen.. First application brings across a very smoky wood and leather incense accord. Initially I thought of Sonoma Scent Studio Fireside Intense, but this is smoother and not quite so dry. Actually there is a touch of sweetness to Journeyman. The oud is supposed to be there, but I don't pick up much of it. It serves more as a background note to support the formulation, rather than being prominent. Among the spices I do sense some cumin/caraway, but not so powerful that you'll be knocked over as with Caron's vintage Yatagan. This is a truly wonderful fragrance. But given such a relatively small release and then discontinuation, few people may ever get to know it. Very sad. Fragrance: 8.9/10

A gorgeous ambery animalic delight, this is a "non-sweet" version of Leather Oud. The perfume blends a central note of leather with amber, oud, incense, pepper, and vanilla for a truly smoky juice that recalls rugged men wearing leather jackets and sitting in front of a fire lit in the woods. This is not an easy perfume by any means but so beautifully blended and evocative that it deserves to be noticed. It settles on your skin and the drydown sweetens the leather and oud out to primarily a vanillic ambery incense. Unisex if ladies can stand the smoky loud leathery oud opening. High marks for craftsmanship here!

Smoldering campfire. Smoky. Suede. Incense. Cinnamon spice. Camping trip. Fall hike in the woods. Masculine. Close to skin. Beautiful fall. A simply lovely scent if you enjoy a very smoky, spicy incense and a touch of suede. This is definitely way more on the masculine side to my nose, and sits very close to the skin, but lasts for hours.

Pravda48 jumped the gun. I talked to Liz Zorn and Journeyman is not coming back anytime soon. She doesn't have all the materials needed for it and there are other priorities. So... unfortunately, looks like it will be a long while, if at all. Continuing to savor this one SLOWLY! ;-)

Ooooh my this is delightfully dirty! If you've tried other natural brands' ouds, such as House of Matriarch's, you'll immediately recognize the smooth woodiness of it in Journeyman as opposed to the harsh/medicinal/chemical varieties that abound. To me it is very similar to the intoxicatingly dirty smell of a lover's sweat. Combine that with a very dry spice set and an opening of (yes, kind of oily) leather and voila!: Journeyman absolute. Will try to review more with further wearings. Suffice it to say as a lover of leather/quality ouds/so-called skanky spices, this is a wrist to nose kind of scent for me. [1/6/15]