galahad

In The Bottle Vanillary cinnamon and clove On Application Quite strong cinnamon and vanilla with the clove just spiking through Dry Down I so get the references to spiced cookies with this blend. The spices are initially quite strong and agressive but the vanilla helps to keep everything relatively calm eventually. Doesn't really morph - just stays spicey sweetness. I like. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Faint violet and almost lilac On Application The musk starts to come through pretty quickly combining oddly wth the violet Dry Down This is dark, slick and oily which pretty much fits the concept but I find it unsettling. I think without the sandalwood I would enjoy this more. I will give it another chance after aging. Rating (0-5) 2

In The Bottle Rich cocoa and teak On Application Sweet, rich and dark cocoa Dry Down Unlike some of the other snakes I have tried, the snake oil is obvious from the start giving the cocoa a nice spiciness and sweetness. This is creamy and rich but the teak adds an element of balance. I got this bottle as a mistake (was supposed to be 2 banded sea snake bottles but I got 2 of these instead) but I really like this blend. Reminds me of Wulric the Wolfman without the mintiness. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle A complex blend but I can pick out the honeysuckle On Application Starts off with quite strong honeysuckle and quickly changes to a lovely soft herbal and musk Dry Down The lavender makes an early appearance to give a little sharpness and then the amber starts to sweeten things up. So far, while I can detect the orchid it's not doing anything nasty. About 5 minutes into the drydown this becomes cooler, lighter and more herbal (the salvia coming to the fore). This is really beautiful and an amazing morpher. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Kumquat with a touch of grapefruit. I am suprised as i thought the yuzu and grapefruit would leap out of theimp. On Application Glorious yuzu! Slightly sweetened by the kumquat Dry Down The flowers add an interesting backing to this scent as it dries down - almost honey-like (honeysuckle?). I've got Baobhan Sith on one arm and this on another. Interesting to compare. Night Gaunt is warmer and fruitier. So far I have loved the yuzu and the grapefruit blends from the lab and this is no exception. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Strong grapefruit wiht some apple blossom. I love grapefruit and (yuzu)! On Application Nice grapefruit. So far I love but grapefruit is ephemeral on my skin. Dry Down The lusciousness of the grapefruit fades a little aboout 5 minutes into the drydown to allow the tea and apple blossom to shine leaving a fresh, clean scent. And then it comes back bringing the ginger with it! Gorgeous fresh summer scent that is going on my bottle wishlist. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Patchouli and apricot. An interesting and quite pleasant combination On Application Very earthy with a touch of the sweet, acidic apricot Dry Down The apricot disappears pretty quickly leaving the dusty, lovely patchouli. I like it but there may be better patchouli blends out there that I haven't tried. Rating (0-5) 3

In The Bottle I get all notes in the bottle. Ginger is the most prominent. On Application Cassia and ginger most strongly. Not overly fond of the cassia at this stage. Dry Down A really spicey blend. The cassia takes a while to let the other notes show through. Becomes much more pleasant once the cinnamon and snake oil peek out. His did make my skin slightly red and itchy and I don;t have sensitive skin. This will be great aged 6 months or so, Rating (0-5) 4.5

The Bull of Minos, guardian of the Labyrinth in Knossos. A deep, swarthy black musk dusted by a dark, resinous blend of sacred bisabol myrrh, atramentous benzoin, tsori, balsam, and galbanum. In The Bottle Resinous, slightly sweet (I suspect form the benzoin which has a vanillary scent). I was expecting it to be thick and dark and dry but it isn't in the bottle. On Application Quite a thin, waxy oil on application. Beautiful musk with a slightly aromatic herbal background Dry Down Goes powdery but lovely on drydown. Certainly dustier and drier than I expected from the bottle. This was a free bottle with my latest order. I am assuming freshly made so this should be fanstastic when it ages. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Sweet lavender and vanilla On Application Lavender, sweet and rounded out by what I think is vanilla Dry Down I love lavender and I love lavender with vanilla. This is gorgeous. I must try it next time I am having difficulty sleeping. A definite bottle for me Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Slightly fruity and spicey honey On Application Light fruity honey Dry Down I am surprised at how light and airy this is. Not cloying at all. The honey becomes stronger and sweter as this dries down further. Really, really nice. Rating (0-5) 4

In The Bottle Patchouli and sandalwood On Application Woody patchouli Dry Down Dry, musty and woody. The cardamom adds an odd note for me. This is interesting but doesn't really appeal to me. Rating (0-5) 3

In The Bottle I have been trying to figure out what the scent in this is that I really, really know and love. And it's basil! Should have looked at the listing of notes. On Application Pine and basil. Not as strong as I expected Dry Down This has the freshness of pine and the spiciness of basil, cumin and clove. An interesting blend. I think I am loving it. Rating 4.5

In The Bottle Not alot from the imp but I do get whiffs of earth. On Application Patchouli with something sweetish in the background Dry Down Light warm and earthy. Definitely some frankinsence in there, warming and sweetening the blend eventually. Really pleasant and light. Worth trying again. Rating (0-5) 3.5

In The Bottle Honey and slightly sour wine On Application Honey and wine Dry Down Surprisingly soft as it warms. Honey at the fore with a herbal/dry wildflower backdrop. The wine re-emerges, stronger than ever, after about 5 minutes into the drydown to give the blend a honeyed wine scent. Becomes stronger as it dries. I really quite like this but don't think I would wear it. Rating (0-5) 3.5

In The Bottle Odd. Like some previous reviewers, I get lime in the imp. On Application Limey and herbal Dry Down The musks almost immediately rear their lovely heads as it warms to give a slighly sweet piney effect. Smells vey fesh and woodsy in the cool of night. This woud be awesome aged. Bottle-worthy. Rating (0-5) 4

In The Bottle Pomegranate with the coolness of evaporating alcohol. On Application As above Dry Down Starts really crisp and cool and then gets sweeter and sweeter as it dries down. Lovely. Rating (0-5) 4

In The Bottle Spicey floral On Application As above. Really quite spicey Dry Down I can't quite place what the spice is - cinnamon perhaps? This is quite nice and not really what I was expecting. Bright and warm. Not my thing however. Rating (0-5) 2

In The Bottle Rich amber with some dragon's blood in the background On Application Dragon's blood. I smell jasmine quite strongly initially Dry Down This is fantastic as it dries down. The amber starts to assert some control to make this warm and powdery. Direct sniff from my skin is worryingly overpowering but the overall effect as it wafts around is awesome. Rating (0-5) 4.5

In The Bottle An aged imp - Musk and pine and slightly dusty. Gorgeous On Application As above. Rich but piney fresh however the pine doesn't overpower Dry Down Amazing stuff. Smells quite cologney but the musk and leather are so beautifully rich. The piney quality remains. This is STRONG and remains strong three hours later. Love. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Slightly aquatic with sanke oil in the background On Application Fresh and almost fruity with the sweetness of snake oil. Dry Down Vanillary, fresh and slightly earthy. Really hard to quantify other than to say I like it. Eventually dries down to a nice vanilla and leather. Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Leather. Aged and rich On Application Primarily leather with a touch of tonka Dry Down This was a generous imp from Vultureguy. Thank you! I am so loving this. The snake oil emerges about 10 minutes into the drydown to sweeten up the blend while still leaving the leather at the forefront. This is a top 5 for me and I will need to stock up on bottles before the carnival leaves town! Rating (0-5) 5

In The Bottle Fresh coconut, honey and the dreaded almond On Application The almond amps up Dry Down Wow, the coconut is really toasted and nutty. The almond has settled to a creamy almond milk which works really nicely with the coconut and the fig gives an earthiness to help counteract the sweetness of the honey. Fades quickly. Rating (0-5) 3.5

In The Bottle Cool floral and almost a plummy note On Application Smooth floral. Not to sharp. Dry Down Beautiful translucent aquatic floral. There is an earthiness and warmth to this, courtesy of the ginger and musk, I assume. I love this but it seems to fade quickly. Rating (0-5) 4.5

In The Bottle Musk with a touch of patchouli On Application Sweet musk giving quite a cologney effect Dry Down I was expecting this to be really strong musk but it is actually really soft, dry and powdery. Smells of baby powder and doesn't change from there. Pleasant enough. Rating (0-5) 2