Riven Oak

I have to give this fragrance some props for the fact that it has three distinct phases which could easily be three different fragrances. This quality must be applauded. It starts out like the most chaotic and shambled mixture of warm and spicy vibes which made me think I was in for some sort of incense and amber affair. This then changes over a period of 20 mins to an hour into a fragrance I have DEFINITELY smelled before I just cannot place exactly what it is. It goes gourmand almost in this mid phase, becoming a sickly spiced, nutmeg, hints of cakey, spicebomb and warm vibes, I don't dislike it but the fact that there's yet another change in the drydown is welcome. Then there's the finale...a deep, creamy, heavenly, woody, resin which is gorgeous and sits low on the skin smelling nothing like the opening or heart. I can honestly say this is an enigma of a fragrance, the way it progresses gradually giving up it's secrets and although unremarkable by themselves add up to the kind of olfactory experience I look for when trying a new fragrance and Resin Sacre delivered a similar trifecta. So I like it for this reason but it didn't grab me enough to add it to the collection, reason being the middle bit is the longest lasting and my least favourite and the best bit at the end is too much of a skin scent. Oh the opening is interesting but aren't they all. Try though and see if you feel the same way about it?

I must be extra weird! Reading the reviews below is weird too! Unlike the extreme comments like ‘just cedar’ and ‘star anise’ I get pretty much what is advertised and by golly it’s good! I’m not much of a woody fan (despite over 500 bottles in my collection). Hossegor by a Lab on Fire, Hermetica Cedarise and Tom Daxons other offering Sicilian Wood are largely my only top shelf inclusions. This is now also on that shelf. A bright medicinal opening screaming of raunchy bergamot (as per Le Labos Bergamotto) - helped by a touch of pimento morphs slowly getting a touch boozy, as if someone suddenly presents you an ambery oak log freshly cut with saw dust and soaked in the rum. Here it hits it stride and slowly the booze softens and the oak turns down a bit, and amber presence keeps giving stopping the scent from turning the experience into a case of ‘did I forget to brush myself off after wood working’. For the most part it’s a strong bergamot over a warm rich wood - giving an acidic woody cologne vibe. For the later part of the drydown the oak makes more way to a fresh cedar and a hint of muskiness. What an exceptional ride. Infact the bergamot opening and woodiness are brisk and refreshing - at first I thought - if there were a ‘woody cologne’ as a class than this would be the prime example...

Rich and warm - though very slightly anonymous - wood, cosy but upmarket - livened up with a really distinctive pimento note, which is what makes it IMHO. (And it's a distinctive sort of pepper - the picture above is of a bright red chili, but to me this scent has much more of the very special and different smell of the allspice berry to it.) Those hints of spice give the whole composition a feel of domestic luxury, but not much sweetness; maybe like being in a kitchen full of high-class hardwood panelling with a cake baking. Not an ethereal beauty but still a solid, polished, sturdy bit of work (appropriate given the name.) This isn't a wild weird wood like a Slumberhouse or D S & Durga job - it's all much more indoor, less feral and less resiny than that sort of thing - but it's still strikingly good. True unisex, tending to masculine (if you like wood) and not overpowering; it's subtle enough to go anywhere and in any weather, but seems to give more weight per spray on cooler, wetter days to me. Projection is moderate but solid - it keeps on pumping for ages. And overall longevity is really, really impressive - like a true hardwood, it weathers well - still detectable 9+hrs in on me, which is unusual.

Let me begin by saying that this perfume doesn't remind me of any of the scents mentioned, or not mentioned. It reminds me of nothing, this is it's own category. Starts off with rum and high quality citruses, develops into something that's Woody and bright, slowly gets ambery and smokey. This is not a linear scent, it's a jounry of interesting stages, you'll enjoy each. - Uber masculine, 30 and above. - Compliment magent. - Very underrated, and under the radar, you'll smell like no one else. - The best Tom Daxon creation "I tried all" - Beast inoffensive performance, makes a statement. - Classy AF! - Chicks like it, all of them. - Developed noses will appreciate it more. - Great performance, one of the most lasting and projecting fragrances in my entire collection, which is big. A couple of sprays go along way. It keeps emerging and giving you whiffs after long hours, will remind you of itself next day in the shower. - I wear it in all seasons except cold winters and very hot summer days, just avoid extremes and it will shine better. - perfect when sharply dressed, casual also. - Signature scent worthy.

Like all Tom Daxon... this is a very sadly underrated product and brand. A bit of a secret. Gorgeous scent - starts off very sharp and vinegary. After 5 minutes that disappears and I swear for all intents and purposes it smells like dark woody rich lavender. It’s all a trick though. If you smell it nose to skin you get the sawn wood with pimento. After an hour an untrained nose would still think lavender but it starts to make more sense toward the note table. After a few hours I would agree with its woody connotation. I promise you this is a gorgeous good value scent. Of 309 still in my collection and thousands that have passed through my hands Midnight Saffron, Sicilian Wood and Cologne Absolu are utter gems for the price.