Cherry Smoke Clones

"### To Buy or Not to Buy? Wearing this instead of the original is like opting for generic cola over the real deal. You get the general idea, but the nuances are missing. The initial blast of cherry and smoke is similar, but the rough edges and synthetic quality are noticeable. It's louder and less refined, sacrificing elegance for boldness. If you appreciate the core concept of cherry and smoke but prefer a bolder, less subtle take, this might appeal. ### Notes & Nuances Lattafa's 1505 throws a hefty dose of sugared cherry right up front, but it’s less maraschino, more cherry cough syrup with a dusting of pungent saffron. The leather emerges quickly, a dry and almost dusty suede rather than the supple, oiled kind. Where the original has a vibrant sweetness, this leans into a smoky bitterness thanks to the prominent cypriol. The olive note adds a touch of something briney and green, clashing a little with the boozy character of the opening. As it dries, a somewhat medicinal smokiness lingers over a base of generic woody ambers. It lacks the smooth, vanilla-tinged comfort. ### Longevity & Projection I get about 6 hours on skin, projecting moderately for the first hour, filling about an arm's length. It fades to a skin scent within three hours. I wore it to a casual dinner and found it a bit overwhelming initially but mellowed to something tolerable by the end of the meal. I then tested it in a poorly ventilated office environment and it became cloying, fast."

"### Is it Worth It? Wearing Cherry Smoke by Fragrance World evokes a similar thematic impression to the original, but sacrifices complexity and depth. One gains a recognizable cherry-tobacco-smoke profile. What's lost is the sophistication and the integration of high-quality raw materials – specifically, the richer and smoother leather, and the far more nuanced and natural woody facets. The drydown, in particular, lacks the refinement and longevity present in the benchmark fragrance. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Cherry Smoke by Fragrance World opens with a prominent sour cherry accord, reminiscent of cherry cough syrup, albeit with a noticeable saffron overlay imparting a medicinal sweetness. This deviates slightly from the more boozy and ripe cherry expected. The heart reveals a muted leather note, intertwined with a green, almost grassy olive nuance. The Chinese osmanthus offers a faint apricot-like floral sweetness, struggling to cut through the smokiness that begins to dominate. The base is characterized by a dry, almost acrid smoke, coupled with generic woody notes and a dark, earthy cypriol oil that contributes to a slightly plasticky drydown, failing to capture the nuanced woody depth of the inspiration. ### How Long Does it Last? Longevity is approximately 6-7 hours on skin. Projection extends to about an arm's length for the first two hours, then quickly settles closer to the skin. Tested in both indoor and outdoor environments, it performs adequately, though the synthetic edge becomes more apparent in warmer conditions."

"### Scent Breakdown Just Anabi opens with a brazenly synthetic sour cherry – imagine the syrupy aroma of cherry cough drops left too long in the sun. The saffron attempts to add a touch of gilded spice, but is quickly overwhelmed by a dominant, borderline acrid leather accord. The heart reveals a strange olive note, brining the leather with a touch of green bitterness. Any osmanthus is utterly subsumed. As it fades, a vaguely smoky, woody base emerges. However, the cypriol oil imparts an odd, papyrus-like dryness that ultimately feels unfinished, lacking the depth and resonance of a truly luxurious fragrance. ### The Verdict This fragrance is best suited for fall evenings, if at all. It evokes a biker's jacket left out in the rain with a lingering cherry candy scent. It screams for attention in a way that feels more performative than genuine. Not recommended for anyone seeking subtle elegance or nuanced complexity. ### The Performance Stats On skin, Just Anabi lasts a solid six hours. Initially, the projection is nuclear, easily filling a room, but it quickly settles to within an arm's length after the first hour. I wore this to a dimly lit bar; it felt loud and somewhat incongruous. A second trial in a chilly office setting yielded a less obnoxious but similarly strange experience."

"### Is it Worth It? Cherry Incense is best suited for cool-weather evenings and casual settings. Think a dimly lit bar, a bonfire gathering, or a concert venue. It's got a rebellious edge that might be too loud for formal events or professional environments. This isn't a sophisticated statement scent; it's more of a fun, slightly rough-around-the-edges fragrance for when you want to make a bold, albeit synthetic, impression. ### How it Smells Cherry Incense opens with a blast of tart cherry, like a maraschino cherry liqueur left out in the sun too long. The saffron adds a whisper of spice, but it's quickly overshadowed by a prominent leather note that leans more towards the aroma of a brand-new car interior than well-worn leather goods. The olive note is thankfully subtle, adding a slight savory depth. The drydown is where this clone deviates significantly; the smokiness is less refined campfire and more akin to the acrid smoke from burning plastic. The woody notes are present, but muddled and synthetic, lacking the richness and complexity of natural woods. ### How Long Does it Last? On my skin, Cherry Incense lasts a solid six hours. Projection is initially strong, filling a room within the first hour, then settles to about an arm's length for the remaining duration. I wore it during a casual Friday at the office and found it slightly too bold for that environment. I also tested it during a chilly evening walk; the cherry and smoke held up well in the cooler air."

"### Notes & Nuances Just (red) blasts open with a candied cherry, reminding me of cherry cough syrup mixed with a hint of medicinal saffron. It lacks the nuanced depth of the original, presenting a flatter, more linear cherry accord. The heart brings in a smoky leather, but it’s more akin to the smell of a worn-out motorcycle jacket than supple Italian leather. There's a subtle vegetal bitterness attempting to peek through with an almost green olive note. As it dries, the smoke intensifies, morphing into a charred wood with an acrid, almost synthetic edge. The drydown loses the cherry almost completely, leaving behind a persistent ashy aroma. ### Longevity & Projection On my skin, Just (red) lasts a solid 6 hours. Projection is decent for the first hour, reaching about an arm's length, before settling closer to the skin. I wore it to a casual bonfire and then to a low-key bar outing. The bonfire setting complemented the smokiness, but the artificial cherry felt somewhat out of place in the bar. ### Conclusion If Just (red) were a character in a movie, it would be a down-on-his-luck mechanic trying to fix a vintage car with cheap parts. Close, but not quite there."