Tharwah Gold

First Impressions & Dry Down

Tharwah Gold opens with a sharply synthetic lavender; more akin to a cleaning product than the aromatic herb. The mandarin orange presents as a candied peel, intensely sweet and lacking any natural zest. A whisper of black currant emerges, but it’s a jammy, artificial interpretation, reminding me of children's medicine. The heart struggles to coalesce; a muddled blend of indolic jasmine and saccharine orange blossom, fighting for dominance against the persistent, astringent lavender. The drydown is where this fragrance falters most. The vanilla is a cloying, imitation Madagascar vanilla, lacking the depth and warmth of the real extract. The musk is noticeable but smells harsh, a synthetic cloud that smothers any remaining nuance, while the cedar offers a dry, pencil-shaving accord. It deviates significantly from its inspiration; the distinct differences being the lack of refinement and realistic ingredients.

Wear time & Sillage

Longevity is surprisingly robust, clocking in at approximately 7 hours on my skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room within the first hour, then gradually receding to within arm's length for the remaining duration. Tested in a climate-controlled office environment.

Final Thoughts

Choosing Tharwah Gold over its muse means accepting a noticeable downgrade in scent quality. While it mimics the general structure, the execution suffers from inexpensive raw materials. The initial blast of lavender is off-putting and the drydown lacks elegance and warmth. One gains a bold, room-filling presence, but one loses the artistry and sophistication inherent in the original composition.