A Fairy Tail

Olfactory Experience

A Fairy Tale opens with a boozy rum accord. It’s noticeably synthetic, lacking the smooth depth of Kilian's Straight to Heaven. The dried fruits are present, but read more as a general sweetness than individually identifiable notes. The heart brings in the patchouli, though it's a cleaned-up, almost soapy version. Nutmeg adds a needed spice, while the hedione contributes a slight airy brightness. The drydown is where the divergence from the original becomes most apparent. Cedar is present, but a cheaper, sharper variant. Musk is clean, and amber lends a touch of warmth, yet the whole composition feels somewhat thin and unfinished. It's roughly 87% similar, missing the authentic woods and refined booziness.

Projection Power

Longevity is moderate. Expect around 5-6 hours on skin, projecting modestly for the first hour. It sits closer to the skin after that. On clothing, it lasts a bit longer, perhaps 8 hours. The projection is less impressive than Straight to Heaven.

Is it Worth It?

A Fairy Tale is a decent approximation of Straight to Heaven. However, be aware of the synthetic opening and less nuanced drydown. But for casual wear, and those on a strict budget, this is a viable alternative. Not a masterpiece, but functional.