Stranger in the Cherry Grove

The cherry gives an alcoholic feel to the strong tannic base. I once soaked young walnuts in whiskey for six months and ended up with a black brew that smelt identical. Occupies a similar niche to 4160 Black Velvet Cafe in the sense that their sharp woodiness reminds me of agricultural sprays and there is nothing delicate or pretty here. Having said that I do like it and will treasure my sample for those days when I want to project an impression that I’ll austerely take no nonsense.

I don’t get much (if any) cherry, sweet, or spicy from this. On my skin it’s pretty linear and smells strongly of leather with a little smoke. I feel like it could layer with something herbaceous, sweet or fruity and be lovely but I haven’t found anything just yet. I’ve tried it with florals and it smelled a little like a barn. I find that this fragrance tends to last shorter than any other that I own and has a medium sillage at the beginning of the wear and then becomes very light.

I only get smoke, nothing else but overpowering smoke. Not for me, I don't want to smell like my chimney.

I wanted to like this house and this fragrance especially. The romantic story she gives for her inspiration to create this fragrance is so lovely. Thank goodness I didn't blind buy based on the story. This is just a straight up chimney fire, no a house fire, smoke, smoke and more smoke! Horrible!

On me this Stranger is mostly leather. No cherry as far as I can sniff. There is smoke but I did not find it too much. I like it, but in the dry down, the saffron or some other note, get a bit sour on my skin.