Ma'ani

The Scent Profile

Ma'ani opens with a recognizable, albeit somewhat flattened, interpretation of the Naxos blueprint. The lavender is present but lacks the aromatic depth, leaning towards a soapy, almost cleaning-product character. Bergamot and lemon provide a fleeting citrus zest, quickly overshadowed by the core accord. The heart diverges noticeably. The honey note, crucial for the original's opulent sweetness, is replaced with a cloying artificial honey flavor, akin to honey-flavored throat lozenges. The cinnamon is assertive, verging on medicinal, and the cashmere wood presents as a generic, scratchy amberwood aroma chemical. The drydown aims for tobacco and vanilla but culminates in a syrupy, plasticky sweetness. The tonka bean contributes a powdery vanillin nuance, but it's ultimately marred by a lingering synthetic musk that reads as harsh and abrasive. It lacks the smooth, luxurious depth of its inspiration.

Conclusion

If Ma'ani were a movie character, it would be a stage magician desperately trying to recreate a grand illusion but only managing a cheap trick.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is respectable, clocking in at around 7-8 hours. Projection is initially strong, filling a room within the first hour, then quickly settling to within arm's length. Tested in moderate indoor temperatures.