Sceptre Ghost

The Scent Profile

Sceptre Ghost aims for the oriental spice of Nishane's Ani. The opening delivers a ginger-bergamot punch, with a noticeable pink pepper tingle, though the ginger leans slightly more candied, less sharp than the original. The heart attempts a Turkish Rose and black currant blend, underpinned by cardamom. Here's where the separation begins. The rose lacks the depth of Ani, and the currant feels somewhat artificial, almost grape soda-like. The base is vanilla, benzoin, and sandalwood. The drydown aims for creamy, but falls short. It’s a vanillic wood accord; sandalwood is muted, and a synthetic musk rears its head. Overall, it captures about 82% of Ani's DNA, but the cheaper ingredients show.

The Performance Stats

Longevity is moderate, projecting noticeably for the first 2 hours before settling closer to the skin for another 4-5. It's not a beast, but it's respectable point. Sillage is arm's length for the initial blast, then becomes more intimate. However, the synthetic edges are apparent, especially in the heart and drydown. If you crave the full, rich experience of the original, save up. But, if you're on a tight budget and want a general idea of Ani, this is an acceptable, albeit flawed, substitute. For a quick daily wear when you don't want to waste the real stuff, maybe.