The Shadow

Bottom Line

This fragrance is for someone who enjoys loud, tenacious scents and isn't overly concerned with subtlety or natural ingredients. Perhaps a young professional who wants to make a statement in a crowded office, or someone who frequents clubs and wants a fragrance that will cut through the noise. Someone who prioritizes raw power over nuanced beauty.

Notes & Nuances

The Shadow opens with a blast of incense, though instead of smoky resin, it leans towards a cherry cough syrup medicinal quality. The raspberry is jammy and cloying, not fresh or tart. The oud surfaces quickly, but it's a stripped-down, synthetic oud, lacking the richness and complexity of the real deal. The birch gives a fleeting hint of leather, more like vinyl car seats than supple suede. As it dries down, the rose emerges, a powdery and somewhat soapy counterpoint to the dominant oud. The base is where the wheels truly fall off; the amberwood takes over, lending a sharp, scratchy, ambroxan dryness that clashes with the other notes. The benzoin sweetens it slightly, but can't save it from feeling plasticky in the final stages. It mimics the inspiration loosely but lacks refinement.

The Performance Stats

Longevity is impressive; I get a solid 8 hours on skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour or two, then settling to about an arm's length. I wore it to an outdoor barbecue, and it held up against the smoky environment, but the synthetic edge became more pronounced in the heat.