Eliysium Clones

"### Conclusion Imperium aims for the luxurious but misses the mark. The aggressive opening and synthetic drydown make it unsuitable for anyone seeking true sophistication. This fragrance is best suited for a young man who values perceived loudness over refined taste and is willing to sacrifice subtlety for initial impact. Someone who hits the gym directly after a shift at the tire shop. ### Notes & Nuances Imperium opens with a sharp, almost acrid blast of grapefruit. The lemon is subdued, more akin to lemon cleaner than fresh citrus. There's a brief resemblance to the inspiration, but the bergamot lacks the smooth complexity of the original. The heart attempts vetiver, but lands closer to green pepper, mixed with an unpleasant, synthetic juniper note reminiscent of cheap gin. The black currant struggles to surface, giving off a faint, artificial sweetness. The drydown is where it truly deviates. Instead of a refined ambergris, there's a vague marine accord and a plasticky leather scent. The vanilla emerges as a sickly sweet note that clashes with the other elements. It lacks the refined blending of the Roja Dove Elysium. ### Longevity & Projection On my skin, Imperium lasts about 4-5 hours. The projection is initially strong, filling a room within the first hour. After that, it quickly fades to a skin scent. I tested this during a workday and received zero compliments – one colleague asked if someone had spilled cleaning fluid."

"### How it Smells Divin Asylum opens with a somewhat jarring citrus accord. The grapefruit leans towards a candied sweetness, almost reminiscent of grapefruit soda, lacking the nuanced bitter pith of the real fruit. The bergamot struggles to cut through, presenting a fleeting, almost artificial lemon cleaner note. As it transitions, a prickly vetiver struggles to emerge, battling a syrupy black currant that dominates the heart. The juniper is largely imperceptible, adding only a vague herbaceous quality. The drydown unveils an ambergris that smells closer to ambroxan, imparting a metallic tang, alongside a thin, almost papery leather. The vanilla attempts to smooth the edges, but instead contributes a cloying sweetness. The overall effect deviates significantly from its inspiration, exhibiting a lack of depth and complexity. ### Projection Power Longevity is moderate, clocking in at approximately 5 hours. Projection is initially strong, extending to about one arm's length for the first hour, then rapidly settling closer to the skin. Tested in both indoor and outdoor environments, the scent remains relatively consistent throughout its lifespan, albeit with a gradual fading of the citrus notes. ### Bottom Line Wearing Divin Asylum in place of its Roja Dove inspiration results in a markedly different experience. What's gained is a bolder, sweeter opening, trading subtlety for immediate impact. What's lost is the refined elegance, the multifaceted development, and the sophisticated interplay of notes present in the original. The synthetic quality of the base notes ultimately detracts from the overall enjoyment."