I've not sampled a code flanker for ages and I wasn't expecting much if I'm honest. I was right not to Code Profumo is a very thick, clunky, gourmand. If it was a chocolate cake it would be so sickly you'd only manage a couple of bites. The opening is a modern mess of aroma chemistry evoking lots of other scents including the original Code. That's about where the comparisons end because it quickly becomes a needlessly dense synth Amber/Tonka bomb. No subtlety here at all the same sort of approach as the likes of Joop Wild, turning up the 'Intensity' to 11 is not always the best way to get a truly Intense fragrance. To be honest I've only tried it once and it didn't last very long on me but I'm prepared to dismiss that and instead be inclined to believe the votes on here which point toward a long lasting scent. I'm thinking perhaps didn't apply enough and showered shortly after. Anyway I have no opinion on Code Perfumo, it doesn't offend me nor does it have anything of interest to offer in my opinion. I won't be buying a bottle.

This is superb! To say Essence No.1 is a fresh citrus/vetiver is just not the entire story. I can't place my finger on quite what it is about No.1 that makes it so special? There's a more herbal feel over all and the citrus fruits are natural & beautiful but not even the main player. Essence No.1 is not just another fleeting lemony blast or a zesty mandarin orange it's a delicate balance which really does contain the lavender and possibly even some rose? It dries down to a vetiver kind of skin scent but again unlike anything I've smelled before, basically Liz Earle does what Jo Malone and Diptyque do with many of their fresh offering but with something better and more wearable, at least to my nose. I'm really impressed and tempted to add this to my collection as a perfect summer fragrance, which didn't last all that long but was acceptably average and hey I'm willing to let it off.

I really love this warm, easy going fragrance which was an unusual find for me in John Lewis. I say unusual as it was a John Lewis 'home' and doesn't normally stock cosmetic or fragrance products but this was among the few that were in store. The opening is one of fresh spices, clove, cinnamon, pink pepper and a host of other lovely stuff which is never overbearing for a second. You're immediately immersed in a softly edged vanilla, milky sandalwood, and guaic. Quite stunning really. Lasts okay and dries down to a sweet vanilla, I was reluctant to buy because there was no price on the bottle and I figured it might be expensive but I would definitely wear this delicate scent and have my eye on it.

This is magic! Really excellent, and my favourite so far from this line, I'm a big Monotheme fan just a crime that I don't own more of them really? A supreme mixture of zesty orange opening which is so fresh and lovely all the while maturing to something quite earthy in the base...woody for sure vetiver and even a hint of patchouli. If you're thinking orange? Vetiver? Could this be like TdH? You couldn't be more wrong this is very different much juicier but not lacking in a full body. Again not the longest lasting but I can forgive it as it lasts a bit longer than the bergamot one and smells as good if not better than many other orange fragrances.

Monotheme fragrances have a special place in my heart, not only are they great value but they deliver the goods too. These orange bottle ones are not just one note, rather a perfect compliment to bring out the featured note. Here it's bergamot and a great representation it is, lovely fresh opening with a touch of woods and white florals, and even a tiny hint of vanilla in the drydown. This is not particularly long lasting, but you get a couple of hours of really well crafted fragrance.

Yes okay we get it...Fortis smells like the divine and amazing Black Afgano. A couple of things to note, I think this has a slightly lighter, mellower, touch. Sometimes BA can go on hard and become a little overwhelming. Fortis is sweeter in the opening too and a bit more towards Carner Cuirs. I don't hold anything against Les Liquides Imaginaires for having a BA type scent, I mean we're not exactly falling over them are we? Not exactly like Aventus clones or yet another Oud/Rose combo is it? Most of the BA type scents are by Gaultieri himself so that doesn't count as a rip off either. I was happy with this one, smells exceptionally good, if not a little bit familiar.

Usually a big fan of Deadidol's reviews but not in this case it would seem. Yes Bello Rabelo has it's faults, the longevity is not there and it's not as instantly great as HdP Marquis de Sade (which I do agree is similar) but hey it's trying to be something different. Namely a wine scent and for me this wine trio from Liquides Imaginaires are perfectly executed. I'd go as far to say Bello Rabelo opens like a very fine red wine and as it dries down to port and then almost brandy. The immortelle, labdanum are a pungent basis for this perfume but never live up to there full resinous potential. There's a rounded almost gourmand sweetness in the dry down from a hint of vanilla. The point is, Bello Rabelo is so close, it's knocking on the door of perfection for me. I love the smell, it's sublime and sophisticated but ultimately becomes a skin scent too quickly, which I can almost forgive it for. Worth a sniff for sure.

Wow! Liquides Imaginaires certainly know how to do wine notes. My first experience of this house was in Paris and I bought Bloody wood on the spot, Dom Rosa is another winner in my book. This is the most accurate champagne smell I've encountered it fizzes up your nose and is instantly recognizable. This is followed by soft pears & grapes and the delicate perfume of rose. Dom Rosa is stunning and I don't even like champagne! It's also quite feminine but I really don't care, it's fresh, original and I can't help but love it. If you like champagne (which is most people except me) then you should try this right now...it's brilliant! Not especially strong or long lasting...it's been about 3 hours and I can still smell it but hey I'd forgive this scent almost anything!

I like this! Love the concept, name and the smell although challenging is nothing short of brilliant. Burning Barbershop is especially for those of us who are fans of Slumberhouse I'd say. The notes listed here make sense in a pinaud powder, barbershop sense and that in mind are perhaps just detectable, underneath a heap of smokey remains. I could hazard a guess as to what this smokey note is, the first review below say Cade, so lets go with that. The opening of this fragrance was reminiscent of the recent Imaginary Authors A city on fire. This is because of the savoury quality of the smoke evoking a BBQ or something? Well, I got from Burning Barbershop, very specifically... Hot dog wieners. Not sauages in the general terms or gourmet sage & onion stuffed ones...not even 'pork' in all likelihood... but salty frankfurters. This association passes thankfully and burning barbershop becomes an intensely smoked, woody scent with a hint of mint. It's bonkers. Absolutely mad. The silage is insane at first but dies back to a relatively manageable hum. I like it, I'd much rather Jeke or Norne If I was going this dark but still worth a sniff if you like a smokey, full on experience. Lasts well.

Something made me think this was going to be a very lovely but straight forward Olibanum/Galbanum, fresh, fizzy, green incense...I don't know what gave me that impression because it has the classic signature of Andy Tauer daubed all over it. There's olibanum charm here for sure but Incense Flash is very dry, slightly dirty and full of dense woodsy character. This is kind of incense which possesses virtually no sweetness whatsoever. Like a dry amber accord, that old bookcase vibe but without the warmth and instead more oily with all the exotic charm of the Marrakesh markets he seems to cram into his scents. This is very good and right up my street so many incense fragrances disappoint me, not by being bad just the same tired fragrance I've smelled a million times. Tauer has created an interesting resinous scent here, more in the style of L'ADDM or Lonestar memories than Incense extreme (which I found a bit dull) so credit to him.