EN

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." I think this concept isn't explored in perfume discussion as often as it ought to be. Much like two or more sonic frequencies that merge together and complement each another, combining notes in perfume results in a pleasing consonance. Each is made new through their union. Such is the case with En, the newest release from WA:IT. It is inspired by connectedness: the communities of organisms in forests and how they're a metaphor for the shared memories, experiences, and mythologies of humankind. I was struck by the usage of dill in its top notes, caraway-sweet and warm, exalting the licorice accord as it coalesces with frankincense. Herein, that great synergy unfolds. There is interestingly a shared texture in anisic constituents (anethole, etc.) and olibanum resins (terpenes, soft pepperiness). It's almost like a muffled effervescence, if that makes any sense. Their union is full, round, and calming. While it is all, or at least predominantly, comprised of natural materials,En is not plagued by the typical steep asymptote of natural perfumes. It reaches a vibration point: remaining steady as it is moored by a comforting labdanum. The gestalt of En is what helps it tell the story of connection through scent.

I own 'Miami Split' + completely get what the previous reviewer has written....both EN and M.Split have light + dark structures that interweave seamlessly into a woody labdanum. Both are bold in their own ways, yet natural throughout. This scent is gorgeous... I used to grow fennel plants + the top notes absolutely envoke the experience of rubbing your hands over their leaves + flowers. The different facets of the plant emerge -including the rooty, earthy and aromatic. The aniseed trail is softened + slightly sweet however -not a harsh herbal facet. And over time, the scent floats down into the slightly sweet, warm woodiness of labdanum, which gradually melts into a creamy tonka like base. So tenderly + cleverly done... EN is, as WA.IT say, both a breath of fresh air and a grounding, meditative experience. Signature scent worthy.

The structure of this reminds me a lot of Able's Miami Split. They share a similar smoky, woody-labdanum base. They both lean into contrast by adding a bit of sweetness with a strong character, something capable of holding its own against the base. Here, they diverge in their approach: Miami Split reaches for banana and burnt sugar and EN goes for licorice. The overall effect is similar and I do like both, but I find myself more entranced by the scent trail of EN because the sweetness has a green and herbal quality. EN begins with a rather assaulting licorice-fennel facet that could be scary to folks who don't like that scent profile, but it melts into the base relatively quickly and gives a fresh, bracing contrast.