parfums*PARFUMS Series 3 Incense: Zagorsk (2002)
by Comme des Garçons

All the melancholy, ambiance and starkness of a church and a hospital in a fragrance.

Deep, heavy, dark, and brooding with its camphorousness, birch tar, and other resinous projections – Zagorsk has an incredibly negative attitude. From within the Gothic charred fumes of centuries-old wood and smoke, rise the violet and more birch tar: and those two are the stuff nightmares are made of, as far as I’m concerned. The birch tar and the violet are just too much for me, and have me pleading for mercy – promising to be good – and scrubbing my skin at the same time. When I first sampled Zagorsk, I loved its Gothicness, so I bought a decant. By the fifth wearing, I could no longer tolerate it – the birch tar and violet leaf soon had me screaming: "surrender!" (Edit of May 20, 2006 review. Changed from thumbs up.) 110

Um...... It smells like a dentist's office, cedar, clove and Lysol; and it made my dog Whittman sneeze.

Zagorsk is one of the more distinctive offerings in the Comme des Garcons incense line. Along with the expected spices and frankincense, Zagorsk features an intense pine sap note that smells at once bright, stark, and chilly. When I think about it, Zagorsk is the “coldest” incense fragrance I’ve experienced. Dzongkha and Avignon may share its austerity, but their smoke lends each a warmth entirely lacking in Zagorsk.

If Zagorsk’s stony, frigid incense appeals to you, then you’re in luck, since this is a staunchly linear fragrance that pumps out its heart accord steadily for hours. Zagorsk projects moderately from the skin, and doesn’t leave huge clouds of sillage behind it, both traits that make it a versatile wear for men or women. After a few wearings and some reflection, I’ve found Zagorsk distinguished offering in a crowded field, and would recommended a sample to anyone seeking a unique twist on the incense theme.

The basic smell is wonderful : How could I dislike the smell of pines, birches and firs, since they are my 3 favourite trees....
Zagorsk also has a wonderful, slightly cypressy hinoki wood note.

I just wish this was a little bit more rounded and full-bodied. I wish it was more nuanced.

Zagorsk is very sharp, almost harsh to my nose. Its very strong and linear without any depth. Its like if someone did hit you with a log right into your nose. Hard.
Apart from Black Tourmaline (Durbano) I have never smelled anything so "room-spray-ish" personal fragrance like this.

I much prefer Winter Delice by Guerlain over this - That one is sweeter, more gentle with lots of layerings.

Zagorsk is great....as a room spray.

Zagorsk: Zagorsk is the smokiest of the four i have of the incense series, right of the sprayer, this scent starts working its vibes like a virus, smoke fills up the room with strong incense notes, this one again has some kind of incense which literally makes me numb, it stays this way for almost 2 hours or so finally retiring to sweet burnt woody notes ..it reminded me of jacomo de jacomo quite a bit until midnotes. just a reference

CDG incense series:

The incense series in general, startled me at first. kyoto and Jaisalmer would probably be the two which would come across embracing you immediately, saying that it doesnt mean it doesnt have substance, only that the other two, Avignon and Zagorsk, are pretty bold, no holds barred, really intense scents but, couple of wears in to it and one would appreciate all of these for their respective qualities.

Incense series is dark, woody, smoky, mysterious, resinous, earthy, dusty and loaded with incense in general. though they all have the same characters, they smell poles apart from each other in their approach. a definite for someone who is looking for an adventure, a spiritual and meditative adventure in perfumery.