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.

The initial rum to me is not dissimilar to Jazz Club. It's not as youthful but opens in a similar fashion - boozy, spicy, sweet from the pimento and bergamot. But this mellows down, losing its sweetness and gaining its rich, dark bitter oak. It lasts for 6-8 hours on my skin—definitely an autumn/winter/spring fragrance.

It's wonderfully spicy and sweet in the opening with a hint of booze, but not too much. Stays like this for maybe half an hour, then it mellows down slightly, the woodiness coming to the forefront. I wish it stayed longer on my skin.

Bright piny note - very realistic one! It literally smells like a cedar wood or fir wood essential oil but much lighter (and airy). It’s very aromatic but also has subtle sweetness in the base. Rich and fresh! Love it, even though it’s quite masculine and has some soapy qualities! I don’t know much about this brand but it seems interesting how they use molecular ingredients to create their scents. And I must admit I liked a few of them while browsing through fragrance department in the store. Follow me on IG: scent.guide

This is what a sexy classy man would wear. Just imagine Oak furniture, and a man sitting on his well made chair reading a good book by the fireplace. That's the type of class gentleman that would wear this. Now.. I am a woman, but I'd still wear this. I roll my eyes back when I smell this. Its so classy, but sweet at the same time (makes it a little more unisex, but still somewhat masculine). Classic fragrance without a doubt!

Based on a carded sample. Opens with a peppery, earthy citrus. The woody but fresh drydown reminds of lalique white (though this smells way more natural). Overall very pleasant, wearable, the dryness gives a high end, formal feel. One for the office or business rather than a date I think. At £150 for 100ml you'd have to like this style to justify a FB. I prefer my daytime scents more playful. 3.5/5

Opens like an citrusy cologne then morphs into a woodsy musk, which carries you successively from a morning shaving ritual to a walk through the woods then a return to the fireside as daylight begins to fade. In this sense it is the ideal day-long fragrance, emanating waves of wellbeing however the day may unfold.

Find it difficult to justify the name, given that the cedar note is more prominent, and also there is a lot of vetiver too... My nose also picks up too much Iso E. It feels like Molecules 1 was layered with Pasha EDP. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't see the point for a perfume that is meant to be all about oak.

Star Anise in opening.....not my favourite spice, but that’s just me! Smells very Christmasy to me, I feel like it’s December again :-) If you’re after a spicy Anise frag, that has a Christmas vibe, then I’d say go for it. It’s is very pleasant, very pleasant indeed, but I can’t fathom how else I (personally) could wear it apart from December time. I keep smelling it, which is a good sign, feels extremely comforting. No idea if FB worth or not..... I’ll update.... Update: I can’t see where I can wear this, as stated above, and again it’s lovely, definitely not FB worthy for me, if it was sold as 10mil bottles I’d probably buy one, but I can’t see how often I’d wear this even though it is actually really nice :-) seems very linear to an extent, it’s spice dominant, I can’t really smell much apart from Spice!

Oak? All I get is cedar! This reminds me of Estee by Estee lauder - yet I see no notes that they share. Pleasant.

Wow..... Kinda disappointed smells like a very expensive house spra