Varens Original Russian Legend

I have this bottle for a few years now and when I tried it first I just noped out and buried it deep in my "get rid of" box. It was an evil leather/tobacco from the dark side I couldn't manage to wear at all. Maybe I was just too young for it back then. Today I was brave enough to test it again and to my surprise it's much better than I remembered it. Sprayed very sparingly I still get lots of severe leather (still not from the smooth side) but after a few minutes an elegant rose, slightly sweet incense and a hint of peacable cinnamon team up and make Russian Legend an actually really beautiful and classy leather scent. This stuff of course is nothing for the faint at heart and will never be my everyday go to scent but now I can imagine wearing this from time to time during autumn and winter. It smells rather like niche than drugstore (where it came from).

Because of this fragrance, for a short time I was pretty sure that Ulric de Varens is a brand that makes imitations of expensive fragrances. Yes, I know, shame on me. I admit that I'm too suspicious, BUT - on my skin Russian Legend smells so much like Cuir Ottoman by Parfum d'Empire. Which I know really good, cause I had it and I used it like crazy. At first, it smells similar to Anglomania, but quickly evolves in pure leather. Really good, given the price. The heat of skin makes it vibrant and strong, and it lasts with this leathery note for a few hours. Incense gives only this strange sweetness, similar to Incense by Demeter. Interesting blend, but don't expect the variety of notes, it's just a russian leather. Pardon, legend ;]