Originally Posted by
starshipvelcro 
Just received my 5 pack of samples from MinNY, have to say, I'm impressed.
I wouldn't exactly call them refined, but they have a sort of raw appeal to them, like a local band you love to see perform.
I actually find something pleasing about each one of them, and really would have no problem paying the asking price, especially with a discount code.
I'd say Creature was one I was most looking forward to, but it kind of let me down, kind of a generic mint, harsh, smells a bit like listerine at first, calms down into a nice woody/citrus mint. Geranium Pour Monsieur's rougher brother.
Whips and Roses was another I was excited about, but gave a sort of a mild impression. It is a gentle rose at first, sort of like the one found in Rose Ikebana by Hermes, transparent in that way, also with the fruity aspect of the orange. The jasmin and leather come out a little after that and add some nice interplay.
Copper Skies is aptly named, smells like the amber you know and love with a metallic tinge. It's not super potent like some ambers, I could actually see myself enjoying it. The honeycomb and amber give it a somewhat mouthwatering feeling.
Santalum Slivers surprised me, might be because I haven't tried many citrus based sandalwood fragrances, but personally I would probably purchase this one first. It has the cucumber note I always wanted to enjoy but could never find, along with the tart grapefruit, lime, bergamot, and orange. Very nice!
R'Oud Elements seems like the crowd pleaser for sure. The oud is similar to that of Montale/Bond, not as strong though. I was ready to dismiss it, but it actually turned out very nice. I don't see too much similarity to M7 actually, honestly almost smells like a Comme des Garcons fragrance to me.
I actually think that with this house, the "indie" style works in it's favor. You're not going to get something super polished, but you will get something that will entertain. There are some great ideas here, and where some well-known fragrances might leave you bored, these might have that raw alternative that keeps it interesting. I feel that Whips and Roses is a more fun/interesting version of Rose Ikebana, I feel that Santalum Slivers has the cucumber note I wish Wall Street had, Copper Skies is almost edible if not for that metallic twist, Creature is exactly that, and R'Oud elements is waiting to please you.
Keep it up Kerosene! I can see great things coming.
