Fortis

Sonia Constant you have this uncanny ability to capture the men I love. Guys have you ever had a crush on a frag, thinking if only the human it embodied could materialize! Fortis represents a man with streamlined dark sides who's in the habit of drinking, but in moderation, mind you. He's got sweetness and dirtiness as well, but mature enough to be perceptible rather than being over the top. Fortis is not exactly an oud-heavy fragrance but its mood is oudy enough to provide depth and darkness, its initial booziness promises good company and I can pick up saffron right off the bat (the booze, saffron and wood reminded me of Idole by Lubin, another masterpiece) and there's also this savory-ness which is yum. I mean sexually yum. Yes, in sum, I love this frag.

i really do love this one, not only because of the smell, but also because of the memories it invokes. a professor of mine would wear this or rather he would douse himself in it, sometimes even during class. everyone in the department was traumatised by the scent as it's appearance signalised his arrival. some student started wearing it at some point also, raising a fake alarm every time. i tried finding out what this scent was, but with no luck and then somebody i knew just happened to be trying out a sample and i had to get a bottle. these are strong, with great projection and pretty good longevity. the scent is deep and might seem heavy, but later it actually turns into something very clean, sort of evoking clean laundry.

Love this stuff, nice dark, gothic vibe that is balanced enough to be worn 3 seasons with summer being the exception. The oud comes across nicely just a hint animalic, creamy and slightly sweet. The cumin is a subtle nuance that adds character, but is light enough to not smell like body odor, and as it dries the saffron comes out tempering the animalic notes a bit. Longevity is eternal for me I wore from 5am took a shower at 5pm and I still smell it over the fragrance I sprayed after my shower. Projection is strong but not brutal, it projects enough to be noticed but not so much to become cloying. Overall I give this a 9.5 as it's nothing that hasn't been done before, but is probably the epitome of the DNA it uses.

It smells very similar to Black Afgano. Out of all the fragrances aiming to emulate Black Afgano, I would say this is the closest. However, I have an issue with all Les Liquides Imaginaires fragrances: they feel a bit 'anemic' on my skin. In a side-by-side comparison with Black Afgano, this fragrance lacks the backbone that makes Black Afgano successful. While I don’t create fragrances myself, I’ve sampled a wide range—from designer to highly niche—and I’m skilled at discerning their differences. It’s both disappointing and intriguing that I haven’t found a more affordable, worthy alternative to Black Afgano. It remains unmatched.

I like Fortis, but I can't ignore the truth when everyone says it reminds them of Black Afgano: indeed, the similarities are there; that said, Fortis tends to be less robust and full-bodied in comparison: it lacks the intensity of incense and, in my experience, is a little sweeter and more accessible on the skin. Despite this greater "lightness," the accords inevitably recall the unique style of Alessandro Gualtieri's dark creation. An intriguing fragrance that balances strength and accessibility, perfect for those looking for something close to Black Afgano but less "intrusive."