Iris Obsidian

Iris Obsidian by Third Eye Fragrance Co I have had this scent for a few weeks now, and I have worn it off and on. One thing is for sure; this isn’t a dainty, pretty iris scent from any popular French or Italian makers. It’s not formal, but it has an effortless suave to it. I have a decent collection of iris scents, and nothing I have smells like Iris Obsidian. It’s dark, almost brooding in a way, but not harkening back to early 2000s goth culture with wallet chains and spiked hair. It’s more like a nobleman bathed in smoldering incense smoke, warmed by the spicy pungency of black pepper that feels slightly woody, and perhaps even a sprinkle of fiery warmth from pink pepper as well. The iris is not overly powdery. It’s not dressed up and ready for a black-tie event. It’s more earthy, but not musty, damp, or dirty. It rather recalls the scent of orris when it’s restrained through a cloud of wafting resin. The drydown reveals a dried tobacco leaf, almost sunbaked, not honeyed and ready to be rolled. It retains that warm, dusted, earthy spice that adds to the layers of spice and smoky mists that dance within Iris Obsidian. The leather is soft, supple, and not raw, nor is it animalic. It’s a plush, worn-in leather chair that welcomes you home after a long day. The vanilla is resinous and warm, adding a layer of slightly sticky warmth with its oaky hue. As I said previously, this is not a formal iris. This is an iris that harkens back to the original meaning of gothic, in the architectural and darkened sense, not emo-punk rock era nostalgia. This is the scent of a count emerging from his stone manor and into the misty rain. It’s excellent if you love smoky and more masculine scents without wanting to smell like you haven’t changed your shirt since that weekend bonfire.

Iris Obsidian moves effortlessly between worlds: black tie and all-black; ceremony and subculture. There is an aspect of restraint which makes it all the more seductive. This is the iris fragrance that I’ve been searching for. It is neither powdery nor cosmetic. Instead, violet leads the way—cool, dark, slightly indigo—before yielding to the depth of orris butter. The transition is balanced and deliberate. Smoke and leather do not overpower or distract , but support and enhance the heart. I feared they might pull the composition elsewhere, but instead they frame the iris with reverence. They hold it steady and give it gravity. The leather is supple, lived-in; the smoke measured, intentional. Together they create a tension that makes the iris feel more exposed, not less. Elemi adds a resinous shimmer. It gives the scent movement, like light catching on polished stone. What makes Iris Obsidian remarkable is its duality: it is refined, yet unmistakably sensual. Controlled, yet permissive. It is also a serious performer, it lasts all day and each stage is worthy of embrace.

To my nose, in first 5 mins I get baby cat DNA, as it continues to dry down I get the buttery iris which is amazing. Late in the dry down I get the tobacco leaf and vanilla. It is a realistic tobacco so if you don’t like how backwoods or other Tobacco product smells this might be a risky buy. Overall I enjoy the scent kinda makes me feel like a bad ass who dgaf but this still care about myself lol idk I’ll rate it 9/10. Overall a unique scent with some complexity doesn’t get more niche than that.

I bought a 20ml bottle of each of the three Third Eye Perfumes. Ranking them from least favorite to most favorite....*Iris Obsidian* is my least favorite. That doesn't indicate it'll be anyone else's "least favorite"....it's *my* least favorite of the three. It's smoky....no question because of the Birch Tar note. As it dried down I felt a bit of Incense coming through. I wish it had a more predominant Vanilla or Iris or Tobacco presence. To my nose....it doesn't. That's a simple fix: add a few sprays of something vanilla or iris or tobacco. I like rose perfumes. I added a spray of Khadlaj's *Rose Couture* ~> it worked beautifully. I'll be a happy *Iris Obsidian* camper using it as a perfume enhancer....not as a primary perfume.

Looots of smoky vanilla is the main story here. I do find it similar to Babycat for sure with a hint of iris floating around in the background, more towards the beginning. I see pepper in the notes but I don't pick up on it nearly as much as it's there in Babycat. I really like this but I need to compare it to my Sana Jardin Vanilla Nomad which I recall was somewhere between Babycat and the smoky vanilla of Lune Feline - I imagine this will be redundant.