Blazing

How it Smells

Blazing opens with an initial blast of cardamom, though it lacks the effervescent lift present in the source material. The cinnamon is present, yet manifests as a coarse, sawdust-like powder rather than a spicy warmth. The heart presents a slightly muddled blend of black pepper and cumin; the saffron is a ghost note here. The cumin pushes forward with an unpleasant, BO-esque edge. This diverges noticeably from the original, which maintains a smoother, more refined spice profile. The drydown is where this offering falters most severely. A vanilla accord attempts to approximate sweetness, but ultimately smells of artificial caramel coloring. The tobacco note is a whisper, overshadowed by a cedar that presents as pencil shavings steeped in an ashtray.

Projection Power

Longevity is approximately 5-6 hours on skin. Projection is moderate for the first hour, extending to about an arm’s length, then quickly receding to a skin scent. Tested indoors in a climate-controlled environment. Its projection is too intimate for evening wear, but too cloying for daytime.

Final Thoughts

If this scent were a character in a movie, it would be a faded, supporting actor from an 80s film, now working as a door-to-door salesman peddling dubious wares.