Grey Labdanum, from Abel was released in 2016. The perfumer behind this creation is Isaac Sinclair. It has the top notes of Bitter Orange, Grapefruit, and Violet, middle notes of Clary Sage and Patchouli, and base notes of Labdanum.
Okay so I was mightily impressed by Golden Neroli, a really fantastic mixture of natural and futuristic, kinda minimal perfumery. Having said that many brands that rely heavily on their natural virtues are too minimalist and reliant on one amazing centrepiece whereas these feel a bit more like true compositions. The Labdanum in the name is a touch misleading but as I wear this I can't help but feeling without it this fragrance wouldn't be as good. I think it's working a catalyst in more of a supporting role, pulling everything together. It's not overt, you do get a bit when initially sprayed I'd say the opening is sweetly resinous but it soon reveals the true players in this scent. Patchouli clearly emerges, cloaked in a kind of metallic tinged, herbal aspect. This could be the clary sage listed? although it doesn't smell like the one I know from other fragrances or the EO material I have. However, after reapplying after several hours (not because it was a bad performer more to get the opening again) I have to say the opening has the herbal masculinity I hadn't picked up of first time, coupled with sweetness, it's actually extremely appealing almost heavenly to me. It actually smells a little reminiscent of golden neroli in that the citrus (which lasts throughout btw) has a bitter grapefruit and petitgrain herbal, green aspect to it. The orange note to me is undeniable too especially in the opening and blends fantastically with patchouli, a combo I have used in a creation of my own. Patchouli here is really lovely, light and lacking that overly chunky, chocolate or rubbery note you can get. This is a bright patch, with just the right amount of earth, I really like it a lot. This is an original composition but just because I like to do this, I'm going to give some examples of perfumes it evokes. Firstly Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot, the freshness the woodiness, the fact that it doesn't smell like oud or bergamot? Secondly, By Killian Straight to heaven, which is much darker and boozier etc... however the patchouli comes across with the same translucency. Thirdly, Lush Lord of Misrule a fragrance that is definitely heavier and spicier, more hippy and full bodied in it's patch dominance but has the citrus/herbal aspect of the Jo Malone O&B running throughout. Loved this. Only two from this line down and they are both superb.
Okay so I was mightily impressed by Golden Neroli, a really fantastic mixture of natural and futuristic, kinda minimal perfumery. Having said that many brands that rely heavily on their natural virtues are too minimalist and reliant on one amazing centrepiece whereas these feel a bit more like true compositions. The Labdanum in the name is a touch misleading but as I wear this I can't help but feeling without it this fragrance wouldn't be as good. I think it's working a catalyst in more of a supporting role, pulling everything together. It's not overt, you do get a bit when initially sprayed I'd say the opening is sweetly resinous but it soon reveals the true players in this scent. Patchouli clearly emerges, cloaked in a kind of metallic tinged, herbal aspect. This could be the clary sage listed? although it doesn't smell like the one I know from other fragrances or the EO material I have. However, after reapplying after several hours (not because it was a bad performer more to get the opening again) I have to say the opening has the herbal masculinity I hadn't picked up of first time, coupled with sweetness, it's actually extremely appealing almost heavenly to me. It actually smells a little reminiscent of golden neroli in that the citrus (which lasts throughout btw) has a bitter grapefruit and petitgrain herbal, green aspect to it. The orange note to me is undeniable too especially in the opening and blends fantastically with patchouli, a combo I have used in a creation of my own. Patchouli here is really lovely, light and lacking that overly chunky, chocolate or rubbery note you can get. This is a bright patch, with just the right amount of earth, I really like it a lot. This is an original composition but just because I like to do this, I'm going to give some examples of perfumes it evokes. Firstly Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot, the freshness the woodiness, the fact that it doesn't smell like oud or bergamot? Secondly, By Killian Straight to heaven, which is much darker and boozier etc... however the patchouli comes across with the same translucency. Thirdly, Lush Lord of Misrule a fragrance that is definitely heavier and spicier, more hippy and full bodied in it's patch dominance but has the citrus/herbal aspect of the Jo Malone O&B running throughout. Loved this. Only two from this line down and they are both superb.