The tag line in the sample vial insert had me simultaneously intrigued and ready to roll my eyes: "Human and Divine."
Big words Loewe, and big words elicit big expectations. Holding the sample vial in hand, I was ready to be disappointed.
My initial reaction was extreme indeed, but definitely not disappointment. It was almost an involuntary reaction after the initial spray.. "WOW this stuff is fantastic!"
I've got to put in some more wearings to tease out the details of the scent as there are many little nuances that are tucked into an otherwise linear 'spine' but here are my initial impressions:
7 is an amazing ethereal incense that carries subtle floral, clove (pimento berry, actually, although it smells fairly clove-like and that's the easier way to explain it to those who've not smelled pimento berries) and apple notes in its smoky wake. There are elements of TdH here too - a similar vetiver and atlas cedar note, and some of the flintiness, too - and I also get elements of Micallef's Jewel Man, but I think 7 is the best of the three fragrances.
Micallef's Shanaan is still a truer frankincense (seeing as it really has no other detectable notes present), but 7 is easier to wear because it has a bit more going on and is thus less austere and also more interesting. The frankincense really is the star of the show in 7 though.
Two more frags it shares some similarities with - L'Anarchiste (the metallic aspect, the clovey aspect, the neroli and cedar elements) and Amouage Opus IV. In fact, it's like a stripped down of Amouage Opus IV with less fruits and less adornments in general. It's kind of like the spine of Opus IV, minus the extravagant trappings. Having said that, I don't think that makes 7 a lesser fragrance than Opus IV - in many ways it is as or even more enjoyable.
7 is primarily incense with hints of neroli and rose, a good dose of the clovey pimento berry, and a bit of apple that is detectable from time to time, but I find that it does indeed carry itself all the way down to the base. The incense is augmented by cedar and vetiver, the latter two melding so seamlessly to the frankincense that it is easy to miss them entirely. The cedar adds the slightly angular element that is present in true burning frankincense resin, and the vetiver deepens the whole accord and extends its longevity. Actually, the cedar/incense pairing here reminds me of the incense accord in Chembur by Byredo, but it's deeper and richer in 7, and has none of the hamster-cage associations I sometimes get with Chembur.
This scent is extremely masculine and yet modern. While they don't smell alike, per se, 7 does share a lot of the character of Terre d'Hermes - both are very masculine scents that are so unlike the saccharine floral offerings that now make up the majority of the modern men's offerings, and yet both are relatively transparent in weight and feel - so unlike the uber masculine scents of the 80s.
I honestly feel this scent could and should have the kind of exposure on BN as TdH does. If you haven't tried this, do yourself a favor and track down some samples - on Ebay if you must (that's what I ended up having to do), I'm pretty sure you'll like it if you like masculine woody/incense scents (TdH/Gucci PH/CdG incenses/etc).
Big words Loewe, and big words elicit big expectations. Holding the sample vial in hand, I was ready to be disappointed.
My initial reaction was extreme indeed, but definitely not disappointment. It was almost an involuntary reaction after the initial spray.. "WOW this stuff is fantastic!"
I've got to put in some more wearings to tease out the details of the scent as there are many little nuances that are tucked into an otherwise linear 'spine' but here are my initial impressions:
7 is an amazing ethereal incense that carries subtle floral, clove (pimento berry, actually, although it smells fairly clove-like and that's the easier way to explain it to those who've not smelled pimento berries) and apple notes in its smoky wake. There are elements of TdH here too - a similar vetiver and atlas cedar note, and some of the flintiness, too - and I also get elements of Micallef's Jewel Man, but I think 7 is the best of the three fragrances.
Micallef's Shanaan is still a truer frankincense (seeing as it really has no other detectable notes present), but 7 is easier to wear because it has a bit more going on and is thus less austere and also more interesting. The frankincense really is the star of the show in 7 though.
Two more frags it shares some similarities with - L'Anarchiste (the metallic aspect, the clovey aspect, the neroli and cedar elements) and Amouage Opus IV. In fact, it's like a stripped down of Amouage Opus IV with less fruits and less adornments in general. It's kind of like the spine of Opus IV, minus the extravagant trappings. Having said that, I don't think that makes 7 a lesser fragrance than Opus IV - in many ways it is as or even more enjoyable.
7 is primarily incense with hints of neroli and rose, a good dose of the clovey pimento berry, and a bit of apple that is detectable from time to time, but I find that it does indeed carry itself all the way down to the base. The incense is augmented by cedar and vetiver, the latter two melding so seamlessly to the frankincense that it is easy to miss them entirely. The cedar adds the slightly angular element that is present in true burning frankincense resin, and the vetiver deepens the whole accord and extends its longevity. Actually, the cedar/incense pairing here reminds me of the incense accord in Chembur by Byredo, but it's deeper and richer in 7, and has none of the hamster-cage associations I sometimes get with Chembur.
This scent is extremely masculine and yet modern. While they don't smell alike, per se, 7 does share a lot of the character of Terre d'Hermes - both are very masculine scents that are so unlike the saccharine floral offerings that now make up the majority of the modern men's offerings, and yet both are relatively transparent in weight and feel - so unlike the uber masculine scents of the 80s.
I honestly feel this scent could and should have the kind of exposure on BN as TdH does. If you haven't tried this, do yourself a favor and track down some samples - on Ebay if you must (that's what I ended up having to do), I'm pretty sure you'll like it if you like masculine woody/incense scents (TdH/Gucci PH/CdG incenses/etc).
I'm wearing 7 again today and love it just as much as before. W/o question it's in my top 20.
