Rook by Rook 2020 Edition, from Rook Perfumes was released in 2020. The perfumer behind this creation is Nadeem Crowe. The notes are Agarwood (Oud), Ambergris, Birch Tar, Cardamom, Castoreum, Civet, Ginger, Guaiac Wood, Incense, Musk, Tobacco.
Whoever thought for a moment that this smelled anything remotely like Fall into Stars, clearly has a vastly different sense of smell to mine. No offence but Nadeem’s skills are in no way comparable to Christophe’s and even if they were these two perfumes are at completely different ends of a spectrum. That’s not to say that I don’t like it, Rook’s signature has notable complexity, opening with a strong but well managed birch tar note, effectively acting as a kind of smokey top note, which gradually fades as a kind of deep, soapy, gentlemen’s leather emerges. It evolves throughout the wearing, and lasts forever on skin but I wouldn’t say Rook is intrusive. It feels accomplished but suitably dense, Indy and rustic, quite strange in actuality. It’s hard to describe because it’s muddled, and that’s not a good adjective to use about a perfumers work. I wouldn’t wear it and therefore it’s not a success in my book. Clearly there’s some quality here and reasonably good value along with strong branding, interesting packaging. I think there’s good things to come from Rook, but the three I tried didn’t excite me particularly.
Whoever thought for a moment that this smelled anything remotely like Fall into Stars, clearly has a vastly different sense of smell to mine. No offence but Nadeem’s skills are in no way comparable to Christophe’s and even if they were these two perfumes are at completely different ends of a spectrum. That’s not to say that I don’t like it, Rook’s signature has notable complexity, opening with a strong but well managed birch tar note, effectively acting as a kind of smokey top note, which gradually fades as a kind of deep, soapy, gentlemen’s leather emerges. It evolves throughout the wearing, and lasts forever on skin but I wouldn’t say Rook is intrusive. It feels accomplished but suitably dense, Indy and rustic, quite strange in actuality. It’s hard to describe because it’s muddled, and that’s not a good adjective to use about a perfumers work. I wouldn’t wear it and therefore it’s not a success in my book. Clearly there’s some quality here and reasonably good value along with strong branding, interesting packaging. I think there’s good things to come from Rook, but the three I tried didn’t excite me particularly.