Opus XV King Blue Impression

The Scent Profile

King Blue Impression opens with a blast of tart Mandarin, quickly overtaken by a strong, almost medicinal black currant note - think cough syrup with a hint of citrus. The initial pink pepper tickle quickly fades. The heart develops a dry, ashy frankincense, not as nuanced as the original; it's more like burnt incense sticks. As it dries, a leathery accord emerges alongside a noticeable synthetic oud. The oakmoss is a mere suggestion; I mainly get a plasticky drydown with a faint medicinal sweetness lingering. It's a passable imitation, but the rough edges are noticeable; the original's smoothness is absent.

Longevity & Projection

I get about 6 hours of wear with this one. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, then quickly settling to about an arm's length. I wore it during a cool evening walk and again indoors at a moderate temperature. It performed better in the cooler air, but the synthetic aspects were still present.

Bottom Line

This fragrance is best suited for cooler weather, think fall evenings. I wouldn't wear this in high heat, as the synthetic aspects might become cloying. It's more appropriate for casual settings; a night out with friends where nuance is less crucial. It is definitely not a daytime office scent.