Zubenel

Zubenel by Tiziana Terenzi is a study in transformation and patience—and it rewards you if you give it both. When my bottle first arrived in the mail, I sprayed it right away, and the experience was honestly challenging. The ambrette and ambergris were so prominent that they came across with a borderline fecal, animalic aspect that felt overpowering and almost off-putting. It was intense enough that I put the bottle aside and let it sit on my shelf for about a week. That’s when the magic happened. Once it had time to macerate and settle, the entire composition opened up in a completely different way. The chocolate now jumps off the bottle as the very first note—rich, oily, and photorealistic. It doesn’t feel like a dusty cocoa or powder; instead, it gives a full-on chocolate bar impression, especially when compared to Symphonium, which leans more powdery in its cocoa trail. Here, there’s a decadent, almost melted-chocolate quality, with a subtle oily sheen that wraps the skin. Woven through that chocolate are warm spices that add nuance and complexity. They never dominate or turn the fragrance into a “spice bomb,” but they thread through the opening, making it complex, delightful, and unlike anything else currently on the market. The result is a gourmand that feels niche, artistic, and truly original rather than a simple dessert scent. As it moves into the drydown, the composition settles into a beautifully sweet, creamy base where the chocolate remains present, joined by soft vanilla facets and a smoother sweetness. The ambrette and ambergris, which were jarring at first, now read as pure opulence. They provide depth, radiance, and a luxurious, almost skin-melting glow that feels far removed from the bright, soapy aldehydes often used in expensive perfumery. Here, the animalic touches are polished and tamed, adding dimension rather than dirtiness. Zubenel is, in my view, a sophisticated, intoxicating, and criminally underrated perfume—but it is absolutely not for everyone. It is not a people-pleasing, grab-and-go compliment monster, nor is it something you smell every day on others. That rarity and unapologetic character are exactly what make it worth every penny in my collection. If you’re considering adding Zubenel to yours, I strongly recommend starting with a decant, especially if you’re sensitive to animalic nuances. Give it time to macerate, and give it more than one wear. For those who appreciate bold, complex chocolate with an opulent, animalic backbone, Zubenel can be an unforgettable, signature-worthy experience. This is by no means a masculine scent in my opinion the sweet creamy nuances are feminine enough for me to feel comfortable wearing it (I typically lean towards very feminine fragrances). The opulent resins make it also appropriate for men’s wear as long as they don’t mind the sweet notes.

Potent woody gourmand with strong animalic vibes. The scent opens with ambrette, incense and ambergris. There is a bit of vanilla and chocolate in the heart and the perfume settles on a musky base accentuated by birch, sandalwood, patchouli and caramel. Some resemblances to Laudano Nero but not as screechy and synthetic as that one. Regal, reserved and a bit furry like a mink coat, this one requires a bold personality to carry off. Enjoy!

This is not just a perfume. It's liquid art. From the very first seconds, the composition plunges you into a universe of ambergris, dark chocolate, and ambrette, creating a rich, opulent, and almost unbelievable olfactory experience. Everything sounds grand, as if each raw material had been chosen without any concern for cost or limitations. If I had to make a comparison, I'd say it resembles the trillion-dollar cousin of Laudano Nero. It shares that luxurious and enveloping darkness, but elevates everything to an even more extravagant scale. And then comes the sandalwood. My God. What sandalwood is this? Creamy, deep, noble, and absurdly refined. One of the most impressive woody accords I've ever encountered. It blends with the ambergris almost perfectly, creating a feeling of richness that seems endless. And the ambergris... It's simply from another planet. There are moments when the fragrance seems to abandon any commitment to reality and transforms into a fantasy of absolute luxury. It transports me directly to Dubai. Not to tourist Dubai, but to the Dubai of dreams. The avenues illuminated at dawn. The skyscrapers reflecting gold and glass. The roar of a Bugatti Chiron gliding through the city while the heat of the night envelops everything around. It's a fragrance made for those who appreciate the extraordinary. For those who seek not just a perfume, but an experience. Upon wearing it, I was immediately transported to memories of my stay at the Burj Khalifa. The same feeling of grandeur. The same sensation of being in front of something built without compromise. Luxurious. Woody. Hypnotic. Monumental. 10/10 — A masterpiece that transforms wealth, wood, and ambergris into pure olfactory spectacle.

this is Laudano Nero in steroids.