Rouge Smoking

Definitely can smell BDKs DNA in this. I liked that DNA in Gris Charnel too, but it just wasn't for me. I like it a lot more in Rouge Smoking. It's sweet vanilla for the most part, but with some cherry that's stronger at the beginning and fades toward the end. Definitely get why people say cherry soda or root beer. It smells like a grown up, wearable version of flat, slightly powdery cherry soda. I'm not a cherry person, but I like the depth it adds here. A good date night/winter scent. It isn't beast mode, but it's pretty strong and lasts well over 12 hours on my clothes, though by that point it is just vanilla and whatever BDK uses as a base (all their perfumes have the same base smell, but different notes imo, but it could just be me). I'll definitely go through my sample, but I have a lot of vanillas I like and I'm not sure this is a favorite.

This was my very first BDK purchase way back, and still one of my favorites in my collection. This smells like root beer and cigarettes and I absolutely LOVE it. It is not smoky at all. It's sweet. A little cherry cola spice. It just has that "I'm sitting at a bar drinking my damn drink and I smell damn good and I'm damn happy to be here" vibe. This is nostalgic, comforting, and is just plain syrupy deliciousness in a bottle. I've got a travel size of the Extrait version and they are not similar at all. The extrait is harsh and not cozy in any way. Burns my nose actually. I can't wear it. But this? Perfection in a bottle, especially if you are tired of the same ol' same ol'.

This must be one of the best cherry fragrances I have come across so far. The opening is a delicious mix of juicy cherry and sweet marzipan. The cherry and tonka notes stay prominent throughout the drydown, but Rouge Smoking never goes into juvenile territory because there is an ambery note in the background that adds some elegance and sophistication. I am always skeptical when the notes of cashmere wood, musk and ambroxan are listed because they tend to smell very sharp and screechy to my nose, especially when overdosed. However, I am happy to say that Rouge Smoking never goes into that sharp territory and always stays smooth and pleasant.

Rouge Smoking is a deliciously warm, creamy and slightly spicy fragrance with a beautiful powdery softness. I really love how the cherry and vanilla play together, creating a smooth, delicate sweetness that never feels too sugary or overwhelming. The vanilla gives it a cozy, comforting warmth, while the cherry adds a lovely, slightly playful touch. It's sweet but not overly sweet, elegant yet a little seductive. Such a beautiful and well-balanced fragrance that I genuinely enjoy wearing!

It's amazing (and worrying) the psychological effect a perfume name can have on some of you. There is ZERO smoke in this, people. Zero. None. Smoking is a formal evening wear, like a tuxedo. It's a red (rouge) tuxedo!! It seems like unless it's a dumbed down name like "vanilla musk" whatever, some of you don't know what you're smelling, you have to be told. Same thing with vanilla caviar, it's not about fish! Caviar refers to the the tiny black beads in a vanilla pod!!