Bold As Love

Very Jimi Hendrix in spirit, which makes sense given the inspiration. This is a fragrance that benefits from a certain level of familiarity with unconventional compositions. It is not well suited to blind buying. The central idea can be summarized in one word—smoke. With a concentration around twenty-five percent, it should not be approached as a typical cologne. What makes it unusual is the structure. On the surface, it borrows the framework of a classical cologne—citrus, aromatic herbs, and a cooling freshness. Underneath, however, sits a rougher core built from smoky leather, patchouli, and root-like materials. The opening shows pineapple and ginger, but not in a light or refreshing style. It feels sharp and prickly, closer to the bite of spicy fruit peel than to a clean fruit note. The sensation is immediate and quite intense. That sharpness fades quickly. In the heart, juniper introduces a dry, cool spice, while lavender and geranium shift the profile into a green, slightly soapy fougère territory reminiscent of traditional masculine perfumery. If the fragrance stopped there, it would read as fairly conventional. The turning point comes in the drydown, when the smoke and leather grow heavier. The leather carries warmth and a coarse texture, with a distinct smoky presence. This layer settles over the earlier fruit and herbal notes, creating a deliberate tension within the composition. One of the most distinctive aspects is how the fruit is handled. Instead of making the fragrance more approachable through sweetness, the fruit is placed alongside smoke, herbs, leather, and darker woody roots. The effect suggests stage smoke, spicy fruit, worn leather, cool herbs, and shadowy wood. It is a complex, unusual composition with a clear identity. Within The Britologne Collection, it stands out as a particularly memorable entry.

Oops mistake I applied three sprays. Jesus F christ on a bike, this is STRONG. And it's OLD SCHOOL. This is like 80s dad fixing the car on the drive way, brutal. But it does smell good, I'll give it that. Spray with extreme caution! Now I've had it on for 45 mins, it's reminding me of Music For A While if MFAW was infected with the hulk DNA and had taken crack. This perfume is crazy, 100% not safe for any indoor situation, but it's great. One thing which goes hugely in its favour for me is that it has smoke without entering into the BBQ zone (like the Beauforts etc). As others have said, it genuinely smells like burning leather shoes (plus some of the feet smell, just like in MFAW, the pungent rotting pineapple is exactly the same). The lavender is there but is hard to single out from everything else. I Have Bohemian Infusion, Bravi, Fanfare and Chords (I love them all) and this one is 1000 times more challenging than any of those. To associate this with the concept of a cologne is to gravely misunderstand the nature of the beast. Bold indeed! Update: after several hours, Interlude pokes it's head through, and then in the very far drydown I get olibanum, vanilla and orris. Update: the opening of this perfume is so horrible that every time I put it on I think I hate it. But after 20 mins max it starts to make sense again, and after a while longer I remember I love it. But yeah, brace yourself for the opening assault!

It’s very good! This is a very unique combo of fresh and zesty fruit (I can also feel some ginger here as well) and some earthy notes of smoky leather (and maybe even some tar?). Love how juicy notes have a bit of ashy undertones here!

The fragrance is bold and sophisticated. I smell familiar Thaneen oily orange blossom base, though at whole the scent is smoky and woody reminding me of CDG2 Man/ Le labo Vetiver. Another masterpiece from Thameen.

Very interesting scent. Contrasting fresh fruity and leather, earthy patchouli and smoky notes. Longevity and silage are very good. It is overpriced, though. This one is not a blind buy.