Art of Nature II

How it Smells

Art of Nature II opens with a forceful cinnamon accord, less nuanced than a freshly ground spice and more akin to cinnamon-flavored hard candy. The cardamom is present, but subdued, offering a slight medicinal camphoraceous quality that is quickly overtaken by the dominant cinnamon. Bergamot struggles to cut through the initial sweetness. The heart reveals a boozy vanilla, however, there's a distinct lack of the oak aging barrel note present in the inspiration. The elemi provides a resinous undertone, but it's overpowered by the vanilla. The drydown shifts to a predominantly praline aroma, slightly burnt and caramelized, yet bearing a plasticky sheen. Ambroxan emerges later, lending a scratchy amber quality, a deviation from the smoother, rounder musk it attempts to emulate. It differs most notably in the drydown, where the clone presents a distinctly synthetic acetone edge not present in the original.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

This fragrance is best suited for casual settings, such as relaxed weekend outings or evening gatherings where a bold, gourmand scent is desired. It could perform nicely during fall and winter evenings, particularly in outdoor settings, though it may be overly intense for close quarters.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity sits at around 6-7 hours on skin. Projection extends to approximately one arm's length for the first hour, gradually receding to a skin scent after three. Tested in an office environment, it proved cloying and potentially headache-inducing for those sensitive to sweet fragrances.