Citizen X, from Ex Nihilo was released in 2017. The perfumer behind this creation is Yann Vasnier. It has the top notes of Mastic or Lentisque and Pepper, middle notes of Iris, and base notes of Amberwood, Musk, and Olibanum (Frankincense).
I've tested all of the Ex Nihilo range, and for such an abundance of perfumes, there's basically nothing that pushes the limits. They like to take a tried and tested idea, and make it with a fine precision, no rough edges. All of their perfumes are strong, and this is no exception. They all also have prominent synthetic woody amber bases, which I guess is challenging, but not in a way I find interesting, rather they bum me out and start to grate on me over the long course of the drydown. This here is a competent, polished spin on a very hackneyed men's designer formula. It's fine, but that's it, just fine. I'd probably have thought more highly of it ten to fifteen years ago just before this scent profile became so prolific.
I've tested all of the Ex Nihilo range, and for such an abundance of perfumes, there's basically nothing that pushes the limits. They like to take a tried and tested idea, and make it with a fine precision, no rough edges. All of their perfumes are strong, and this is no exception. They all also have prominent synthetic woody amber bases, which I guess is challenging, but not in a way I find interesting, rather they bum me out and start to grate on me over the long course of the drydown. This here is a competent, polished spin on a very hackneyed men's designer formula. It's fine, but that's it, just fine. I'd probably have thought more highly of it ten to fifteen years ago just before this scent profile became so prolific.