Nightcap

Ah yes, once again the perfume community has determined that a fragrance I love is hot garbage. Don't worry, that only serves as encouragement to me since I am a contrarian of some repute (ill repute admittedly, but it still counts). I get it. Nightcap is loud. It's aggressive. It's opinionated and it doesn't give a hot fart whether you find it obnoxious. This is what I would consider a dark green scent. It is vinous and cold and leans synthetic. That's what makes it interesting to me. In order for something to feel edgy it has to veer into territory that many will find unpleasant. Does Nightcap smell of aroma chemicals? Obviously. Is that a bad thing? Not if you grew up inhaling markers and diesel fumes for fun. This is the smell of ink copy sheets and hairspray and the mechanics office where you waited for your Mom's 1984 Renault to get its oil changed. It smells like the past and the future at the same time. It's what the androids from Blade Runner probably smelled like. If you don't like it that's ok. There are many things in this world that I don't like and it seems to trouble the powers that be not a whit. For me, however, Nightcap is intoxicating and I have to be very strict with myself lest I take a curious sip.

This is really well blended and gorgeous. Woody pear and cardamom. I don’t know exactly what Vetiver smells like but whatever it is, I like it! Very unisex and wearable, leans a little masculine.

Upon first encounter, “Nightcap” greets you with a robust, woody embrace, reminiscing leather’s timeless allure, despite its absence from the listed notes. A burst of sharp greenery, intertwined with the succulence of what could only be pear, makes a fleeting yet memorable introduction. This initial vivacity is but a prelude to the main performance, where rich cedar and spicy cardamom take center stage, supported by a chorus of delightful, earthy undertones. “Nightcap” presents itself as a unisex fragrance with a masculine edge, versatile enough for those who dare to defy the ordinary. Its presence is assertive without being overbearing, offering good longevity that whispers rather than shouts, making it an impeccable choice for the confines of an office. As the hours pass, it settles into a comforting, soft woody-earthiness, a lingering whisper that accompanies you throughout the day. “Nightcap” is not just a fragrance; it’s a statement of quiet confidence, a companion for those moments when you choose to stand out with subtlety.

Here, the top notes are first very juicy/aqueous pear, then violet, a little spicy (cardamom, yes, certainly somewhere, but not only). I can't quite make out the iris root aspect, but the evolution is very much on the resin/incense side, that slightly sticky cedar-type thing, and personally, that's one of my favorite accords. The woody/vetiver notes that follow are very dry, very present, and the finish is very, very good. I don't have much original to say about it, because there's really nothing original about it (really: this exact composition, already smelled ten times - it's almost like copy-and-pasted Dyptique, a very trendy chord of notes), but it's portable with pleasure.

I find this hard to describe. It’s a sandalwood scent with a heavy dose of spices, but it’s not dry or oriental like many others of that description. Instead to me it almost has this dense/earthy/damp character; I think it’s probably the orris root and pear. Almost like a muddy wood forest after heavy rain? I don’t really get much Cyprus or vetiver but the orris and amyris really come through. Great longevity.

First - woody Second - boozy Third - fresh somehow

If you’re looking for the Santal 33 dupe from Who Is Elijah, it’s Morning After. I’m not sure yet what this one is attempting, but boy is this heavy on the spicy cardamom. It’s not bad per se, but it doesn’t appeal to me personally. There’s no leather note listed, but I swear it smells like a warm, peppery leather jacket at times. There is a nice, leafy greenness in the opening, too, but it fades quickly. I think this is best suited for someone into masculine leaning fragrances. I wouldn’t mind smelling this on my husband. 5/10

Nightcap just took me on the most chaotic journey, and I don’t know how I feel about it. It starts with a blast of spice, and then I’m immediately punched in the face with leather, but it’s plasticky? It smells like cheap, low-quality scrap leather that they use at places like Wilsons leather. I don’t like it at all, and yet I can’t stop smelling it. Eventually, it morphs into something very woody, and too masculine for me. I mostly get sweet cedar, but it’s soft compared to how loud the leather was. I thought that was the dry down, but it kept going. Before it hits dry down, it goes from woody to soapy Actual dry down on my skin was sweet and floral and feminine leaning. I’m genuinely confused why I’m getting floral at the last stage, but it is the most wearable. It’s also pretty anti-climatic after the road it took to get there.

To me, this smells just like Santal 33.. but not in the best way. It's quite offensive to the nose and smells sort of chemically. An okay scent otherwise, probably just not for me

Note to self: do not overspray. The leather is strong with this one.

Awful, like most of the fragrances from the discovery set.

Poorly blended Santal dupe. Also listing specifically mysore sandalwood is a slap in the face to perfumers and perfume consumers. Clearly not utilized and if it was, what a waste

This is an absolute love for me. 10/10.

Nightcap by Who is Elijah is one of the more unique releases from this perfume house, and for once, it is not an exact dupe of some other well-known fragrance. Nightcap opens with super juicy green pear, violet leaf and cardamom. The initial blast is quite green and synthetic, with a hint of what is to come with underlying notes of vetiver, orris root and mysore sandalwood. The best way I can describe Nightcap; it is a juicy, green vetiver scent. Like dry vetiver with a hint of fruity shampoo. I don't dislike it, but I must admit that I find it difficult to wear. The name Nightcap brings to mind thick boozy aromas or the scent of liqueur, yet the reality of the scent pyramid doesn't appear to match its description nor its name. Despite being a unisex fragrance, I do find that this fragrance leans more masculine. I sought the opinion of my partner and he said, "it is strong, but I like it." In my 20s I enjoyed gender-bending some fragrances, and the now discontinued Prada Infusion de Vetiver was one of my go-tos for the Summer months. Nightcap reminds me of this Prada fragrance, with a more fruity opening and less sharp vetiver accords.

I saw this on special offer and bought thinking it would smell similar to Santal (I have a sample and I love it, don’t get me wrong nothing smells like the real thing for any perfume) how wrong was I. It’s harsh with a petrol smell at the start and I thought ok give it a chance to settle, that smell lingers for quite a while and then it turns into faint Parma violets. Starts off strong and headache inducing then disappears. Three times I’ve sprayed over 2 days and had to wash it off.I’ve never instantly disliked a perfume as much as this, I’ll let it sit and see what happens, if not hubby can try it and see if it works for him. Read reviews online not sure if it’s niche or dupe as opinions vary, if it’s dupe, it’s bloody expensive so save your money as there’s better smelling cheaper ones out there. It’s a 0/10 for me.

This is a dupe of Santal 33 IMO. The Who Is Elijah website describes it as a “woody leather scent” and lists similar notes to Santal 33, plus a few extras. This one is very strong, very loud and very heavy on the leather, making it lean more masculine IMO. For a softer, less leather-forward dupe of Santal 33, try Morning After (also by Who Is Elijah).

Veitiver.... Strong real deal earthy roots, with Orris and leather/suede & cedar as supporting base notes. It’s dense strong... perfect for winter, cold days it sings, there is something atmospheric about it , of that of smoky goth clubs in the 90s vibes. Very much reminiscent of that era. You got to like vetiver!

Very bad performance and very low quality. Not beautiful at all, muddy, and not balanced it is most like a fake cheap stuff

Idk why the rating is so low, this is a nice scent. Reminds me of a coffee crisp, in the best way possible.