Stag

I'm going to be outside for most of today traversing gloomy skies so I reached into my bag of samples for something long lasting that I could refresh once to get me all the way into late evening; The Maker Stag should fit the bill. In the open I get a blast of bitter grapefruit sprayed across a sprig of pine; it is reminiscent for me of the 1970s "wake up" open I've come to love in masculine fragrances. The heart notes are really interesting as the scent profile shifts into a dark luxurious leather and wooden furniture creating a scene that you might find in a gentleman's private study. I never have smelled palo santo prior to this, but now I think I understand it, as the wooden structure takes hold in the base amongst incense, pencil shavings, and patchouli. The impression I get from Stag is that of a distinguished gentlemen sitting in an overstuffed leather chair, at his desk hand sharpening a pencil with a pocket knife while incense burns off in the corner of his office near a roaring fire place, providing an evening haze. All it's missing is a single malt scotch.

SEXY. This fragrance is what romance novel fantasies are made of. Like going on a late-night date with a sexy mob boss in the 1920’s. It is sexy, woody, smoky, a tiny bit sweet, and masculine. It is also STRONG so a little goes a long way. When I took a direct snif from my wrist where I sprayed it was like I was being attacked with pure smoke, but every time I caught wafts of it in the air it was just this gorgeous airy incensey smoky sweetness that is just so so good. I love this by itself and feels it’s quite unisex, but if someone felt it was too masculine for them then I think this scent could easily pair with something a little more feminine to make an amazing fragrance combination. Great projection and the scent has lasted me a good 12 hours on a single spray. I asked my bf what he thought and he scrunched up his nose and said, “it’s not ugly, but I’m not a fan.” Oh well, his loss. I’ll probably use this (sparingly) on a night out anyways 😈 8/10

Stag is a stunning fragrance. Probably my favourite out of the entire library - I thought the Lover was going to be my favourite but this is out of this world. It reminds me a lot of Ile Pourpre by Les Liquides Imaginaires but not as sweet and with a touch of well worn leather - although it doesn’t share very many notes except for bergamot in the top and patchouli in the base. I can see how people opposed to the scent of leather may not enjoy this - as it is prominent. However it is not at all musty smelling, think less old leather car seats sat in the sun for hours and more new suede leather jacket. This is addictive, unisex but slightly masc leaning with its leather facet, perfectly balanced and just like the rest of the fragrances from this house - it lasts all day long. Beautiful.

This is my newest sexy super masculine fragrance. It lives in a space between Tam Dao and This is Him, but definitely has an identity of its own. I pick up the sweet grapefruit and leather straight from the bottle. The wood, incense and patchouli combination on the base gives it a spicy sandalwood-like scent that makes you think there's cardamom or cinnamon somewhere in the mix. This is one of those fragrances that you keep to yourself. It goes on a special shelf like Nasomato, Beaufort London or Orto Parisi fragrances would and it takes the turn of two keys simultaneously to access. It may be your newest Sex Panther "60% of the time, it works every time!"

This smells so fucking good― I rarely say that. It's creamy yet masculine. But still unisex. The woods in here are so yummy. It's musky and milky and so good. When I sniffed it realllly close, I worried it might be a touch too smokey, like literal cigarette smoke. But as long as I'm not pressing my nose up against my skin, it's literally perfect. My only concern is that it (so far) is not a compliment getter like my other favorites, but I want to keep wearing it to see if that changes. I also see most do not consider it a summer fragrance, so maybe I will come back to it this fall and get a different reaction.