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Profumum's Fumidus: a question

post #1 of 16
2/1/07 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
This scent is put out by Profumum, a house that I have not sampled. The notes sound intriguing- birch tar, dark vetiver, smoke, whisky- but the reviews vary. Some people say that it smells cheap, some say it smells like cig butts, and I cannot find anyone who says that they really like it.

Can anyone tell me a little more about this scent? Thanks,

-ben
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post #2 of 16
2/1/07 at 5:32pm
I remember smelling it at the Scent Bar here in Los Angeles about a month ago. I am into heavy, deep scents so I actually enjoyed it. I also liked Profumum's Patchouli because it's very different from the other Patchouli fragrance I own. I like their scents. Again, the two fragrances I mentioned are robust, heavy and unique. The price range is up there. I'm not sure if it warrants the asking price but Lucky Scent can charge as much as they want because they're the only one that sells them in the U.S.
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post #3 of 16
2/1/07 at 7:36pm
***edited***
I have since come around to developing a serious appreciation for this fragrance. My original negative comments were a prime example of judging a fragrance before giving it a thorough wearing. After testing a majority of the line, Fumidus has since become my first and only full bottle purchase from Profumum and an all-time favorite.

Fumidus is a stunning smoky, woody, earhty vetiver fragrance with a ghost of Scotch. The smoked birch opening has a "sod off" snarl that would have made Sid Vicious green with envy. As the smokier top notes fade, the benzoin note adds a Scotch element. Recalls the smoky, peaty Laphroaig Scotch, which has an odor similar to tincture of benzoin or Benzocaine. The drydown is an earthy vetiver reminiscent of Lorenzo Villoresi's amazing Vetiver with some wood added to the mix. Ferocious at and brutish times, Fumidus is a beast that energizes my inner animal. A complex, shape shifting, powerhouse not for the meek. The wearing experience is akin to a symbiotic relationship in which Fumidus and the wearer wear each other. Remember, patience and persistence is required.

Sprays:4
Longevity:12 hours plus
Sillage: Moderate to high
File Under: Complex Vetiver
RIYL: Patchouli 24, Annick Goutal Eau de Fier, Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver, smoke, birch, earth, power vetiver scents.
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post #4 of 16
2/1/07 at 8:21pm
interestingly, it turned a friend who didn't wear frags into one who does. he now has a decant of fumidus and one of tea for two.

fumidus is a real grower -- extremely nonlinear, and one that goes through some phases that didn't thrill me
. it does dry down to a vetiver extrordinaire-styled vetiver though, so even if you don't like the initial progression, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

if you are familiar with - and love - lagavulin (or its ilk -- very briny, smokey, medicinal islay malts), then i'd say go for it. if you're more of a dewar's drinker, then pass.
btw - Deb (b94new? i forget her handle..) is selling .25 oz decants for $17.
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post #5 of 16
2/1/07 at 8:47pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, guys-

I'll think on it for a while before I plunge in. The patchouli sounds good, too... But yes, the price is rather high. When the price is that high, I absolutely demand excellent longevity- Does Fumidus last? (I'd imagine it would, based on the notes).


This is so frustrating. I have maybe 50 frags on my to-buy list, and here I am intrigued by the most expensive one...


-ben
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post #6 of 16
2/3/07 at 9:03pm
yes, fumidus lasts IMO, but nearly everything lasts on me it seems... I'd put it at middle of the pack or better
i still have a mostly-full sample vial if you want it, just PM me.
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post #7 of 16
2/4/07 at 12:20pm
Fumidus can be overwhelming, as can others from Profumum. These are strong scents. I have Antico Caruso, which I love but my wife hates, based upon an early mis-application. I put it directly to my skin once or twice, and the results were not good. You have to "walk into the spray" to get something wearable. Fumidus is a strong almost bitter scent, and it has to be applied with care. I find that I like it from the samples I received, after about four hours, but that is a long time to wait for a drydown that is somthing like Aramis. In fact I think Fumidus and Aramis have somethings in common: they are potent; they are divisive, in that some people will hate it and some will like it, but they are not there to be loved; they are dry and manly without even a suggestion of sweetness. DO NOT buy Fumidus without a test sample based upon the notes alone. One could regret the decision.

Joe
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post #8 of 16
8/10/08 at 7:51pm
I've been trying this one out lately. At first I hated it, mostly because I felt there was some sort of compost or fungus note in there, but now I'm really growing found of it.

A few things it reminds me of:

- The wet rich earthy soil behind my backyard. I live in a somewhat foresty area.
- My elementary school playground. The floor was covered in a birch like wood. After a rainshower the the entire place smelt like Fumidus.
- The inside of a old wooden cabin with a fire inside going off, somewhere out in the middle of the nowhere.

I don't think I'd buy a bottle, but will occasionally wear it from a large decant (thinking about a purchase), mostly when there's a pile of snow outside. It seems to be a cooler winter scent. Also, it usually works best sprayed 1-2 times max between the stomach and chest area, or it comes off smelling "too much".

I didn't really find anything really interesting in the Profumum line, but this is at least a must try. The best in the line. All IMO of course.
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post #9 of 16
8/11/08 at 2:26am
Profumum Acqua di Sale is my favorite oceanic scent, which I bought a short time ago. It lasts forever. I sprayed it on a Post-It note in my office, and the scent is still there after over a week. I can't even properly clean the smell out of the little 4ml sampler atomizer I decant into and carry around, so it's completely devoted to Acqua di Sale now.

I haven't tried Fumidus yet, but I'm guessing I might like it since I love the smell of smoke. I love Thundra (mushroom-like top notes with a beautiful drydown), and I'm thinking of buying it. I'm very impressed with this house, thus far. It's one of the few niche houses I have absolutely no buyer's remorse about buying 100ml bottles from.
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post #10 of 16
8/11/08 at 8:29am
Glad to see Fumidus getting some love here on the boards.

Last year, when I visited Scent Bar for the 1st time, I also smelled Fumidus - here's what I posted back then:

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

- Fumidus by Profumum. WHERE THE HELL HAVE I BEEN? This stuff is incredible!! Lovers of Yatagan by Caron, Patchouli 24 by Le Labo, single malt scotch and cigars and everyone in between - PLEASE try this stuff. Franco (the owner) couldn't believe that I'd never smelled it and just one small spray filled the entire store with the smell of this strong, invasive and commanding scent. If Aragron from Lord of The Rings could be encapsulated in a scent, it would be Fumidus. Michael (sloan_8013) has been casually talking about this for a short time now. Believe the hype. Amazing.
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post #11 of 16
8/11/08 at 9:17am
A lover of Profumum Olibanum here. A dazzling (white) smoky Incense frag.
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post #12 of 16
8/11/08 at 10:24am
Awhile back I received three complimentary Profumum samples: Thundra, Neroli & Fumidus

At the time, I found Fumidus the least likeable of the three - which is probably why I couldn't help but check out this thread. Looks like I'm going to have to give Fumidus another fair chance.
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post #13 of 16
8/13/08 at 11:22am
Fumidus is a very strong scent, smoky and boozy with excellent longevity and a monster sillage. This is a frag that you really need to wear a few times and be patient with it; like others have suggested it does go through many stages of development. The initial notes are all birch tar, booze and smoke; strong, astringent and very powerful. Vetiver comes through a little later bringing a sweetness that when mixed with the remnants of the top notes smells a little like smoked malt. The veitver becomes a little stronger as the top notes continue to fade, but this is not a bright citrusy vetiver but a dark earthy vetiver. For me this is a scent to be worn sparingly with a suit, tie, french cuffs and cufflinks. Anything less and I would feel underdressed.
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post #14 of 16
8/13/08 at 12:25pm
I like Fumidus, but its so potent that I consider it unwearable any where but at home. I think alot of people would say you stink if you wore it in public. One frag that is in the same vein and very wearable is Black Tourmaline by Oliver Durbano.
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post #15 of 16
8/13/08 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebeck View Post

I like Fumidus, but its so potent that I consider it unwearable any where but at home. I think alot of people would say you stink if you wore it in public.

I think the same could be said for Yatagan - many people might think it's unwearable upon smelling it (including Turin) but yet many Basenoter's (including me) find it extremely wearable. All depends on the person, the situation, etc...
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post #16 of 16
8/13/08 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebeck View Post

I like Fumidus, but its so potent that I consider it unwearable any where but at home. I think alot of people would say you stink if you wore it in public. One frag that is in the same vein and very wearable is Black Tourmaline by Oliver Durbano.

Agree, that's why I said one spray to the chest. Especially the first hour, it comes off smelling like a compost bin or fungus. It's a really stinky rich dark earthy scent, though it does tone down a bit.

I find Yatagan to be wearable. It's actually really smooth.
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