03 Lonestar Memories

What a difference a few years can make on our preferences towards scent. When I procured this sample ~2 years ago, I remember being quite underwhelmed. It was a dry, bitter leather scent that did little to nothing for me. It almost had that smoked meat quality that some leathers can have, if you've ever smelled through the Etat Libre d'Orange discography, you probably know what I'm talking about. But I'm not sure if it's that my sample has aged, if I have, or if this Texas heat has caused this perfume to magically bloom, but whatever it is, I applied this perfume earlier today and swooned. If I was an animated character, I'm sure I'd look something like Roger Rabbit when his heart did the beating out of the chest thing. Suddenly, it was resinous, sweet, dry, ambery, LEATHERY but with all of the enjoyable aspects and no more of the ones that make me a little sick to my stomach. This did the opposite of repel me as it did before, I've been huffing my arms nonstop ever since. I'm going to need to get a bottle of this, and soon! In the Spring, I had a weird craving for cheap fruity airy scents but now that we're approaching Summer I'm suddenly craving dry, dark ambery fragrances with myrrh, leather, woods and this shot to the top of my list. I'm going to drain this sample over the next few days sadly. And then I'll need to be getting a bottle. Yes in June, in Texas.

An acquired taste this, and based on a sample from Les Senteurs boutique in London. Five years ago I'd have said 'no way, what is this?' but now, since sampling so many fragrances, seek a FB. Scents like this are about memories or feelings conjured from the imagination. I imagine drinking a peaty scotch beside an open fire - wood, not coal or barbecue. To begin with smoke from the fire is strong until it gets going, the scotch then emerges and the tastes and smells blend. Outdoors, perhaps late autumn with a blanket round the shoulder to ward off the chill with a few friends around exchanging stories and drinks. The sweet drydown a rye whiskey to follow. Just chatting, then watching the embers eventually die, but another night of warm feelings, good humour and friendship. This scent is addictive. I also have LADDM, which just pips it, being more versatile but both outstanding. Definitely sample first before you buy, this wont be for everyone.

I'm completely in love with this. The opening, sprayed out of the bottle, can only be described as offputting. It’s dirty, acrid and animalistic, almost horsey, which actually kind of works for me but definitely might make some people think twice. I have to admit, I tested this in a sample bottle with no atomiser, so when my full-size bottle arrived and I sprayed it, I was shocked by how different it was from the sultry and inoffensive amber I'd smelled before. As this starts to settle down, there’s a deep, sweet smokiness to it that reminds me of a couple of my favourite LUSH perfumes, like All Good Things and Breath of God, but sexier and more refined than either of those. It’s heady, but not overwhelmingly so. It’s very long-lasting on the skin and projects well.

L'aire du Desert Marocaine is probably my favorite fragrance of all time, so I was looking forward to trying this. I tried to distance myself from the narrative - the leathery old cowboy out on the range - as such narratives can color perception. I like this, but I don't love it. This opens with a rubbery sweet vinyl jacket accord, nice hits of jasmine and geranium, a smoothing tonka, and a very light leather and incense. After a few hours, a distinct nagarmotha element has joined the scent, bringing to mind Dunhill Century. The leather is still in the background, and I can't understand how many other reviews mention its prominence. I guess everyone smells things differently.

My favourite leather perfume. I love everything about this. Rich and dense yet projects massively. It’s dark, warm and smoky and reminds me of nothing else. All the listed notes are present here, but like most tauer, they blend together into something different. It’s hard to explain, but when I’m wearing this, it’s definitely part of my outfit. And every time I take my jacket off or put it on, I get a whiff and feel invincible. I can smell this even in my mind when I’m not wearing it, and feel naked, like I didn’t put socks on or a shirt under my jacket. It’s got so much personality and character. 10/10 I always have a spare bottle of it.