Janie

I like incense and wood notes so I was looking forward to trying this. And I like, it. I really do. It does smell of an old church - you can smell the incense and the wooden pews, burnished wooden altar and old wall hangings. Even the hymn books. I just wish it lasted longer. I had to reapply after a couple of hours.

The description is accurate in terms of notes but I don't get the sea-salt aspect. For me this is a woody, spicy and slightly sweet oil with good lasting power and reasonable throw. Love it in the bottle, love it on skin, love it when it has dried down. This goes on the big bottle wish list. edited to add: I know I appear obsessed with staying power, but you have to say something positive for an oil that I can still faintly smell 11 hours later even after my having: * cleaned two saddles, two bridles and a martingale * driven for 3 hours * done two loads of washing * fed horses * blanketted said horses * cooked dinner * had an apres dinner drink Bravo Anne Bonny. You long wearing pirate, you.

Dusty, swirling empty streets, shadowed sidewalks and searing heat. A tumbleweed rolls across the path of a lone rider as they ride in to town. I honestly get dust. And trust me, I've lived in the outback of Australia for the last 8 years during the worst droughts in living memory, so I know dust. It's actually a really enjoyable oil to wear, even the opening dusty notes.

I'm a leather-fume sort of gal (Daim Blond, Cuir de Russie and Tabac Blond are three of my faves) but this was Too Much Leather For Me. De Sade is like Messe de Minuit. I can appreciate it as a sublime expression of the perfumer's art, but it's not for me to wear. GREAT leather scent, if you want to smell L.E.A.T.H.E.R. Very well made. Seriously.

Having tried this twice, the second time spilling half the imp on my jeans, I feel I can comment having worn this metaphorically and physically. I'm such a clot, I tell you. I get the jasmine from the bottle, some carnation and not a lot more. I want the more, not just the big-ass flowers. Going on wet, I get more flowers and not a lot of the base. After about an hour, people were following the scent trail I left behind commenting on it. Positively! The drydown gives me incense, a bit of patchouli, not much vetiver and no moss. Shame, because it's very nice as is, and I'd love more of the dark subterranean notes. Seriously thinking of buying the big bottle. Lasts well, even if you don't spill most of it over you.

I'm a bit of a leather gal, so the fact that leather rode high in the notes was a a bit of a siren song for me. When first applied I certainly copped a nose-full of vetiver - another favourite note of mine. SLightly floral with the leather peeking out from around the corner. As it started to dry down the leather became stronger, and the flowers remained a subtle counterpoint. Then I took up my swimmers and towel and headed off to the pool for my customary 40 laps in the late afternoon. When I got out of the water I could still smell it (albeit faintly) after over half an hour in a chlorinated pool. In fact it was delightfully delicate and quite charming. You have to respect a scent that has that sort of staying power! Overall - I admit to being a fan of "men's scents" and leather in most things so my fondness for this one should be tempered by that admission, but I really liked it and will order a larger bottle of it.