Ore (2009)
by Slumberhouse

Cocoa is mostly what I get from this; the longevity is excellent, and I like the opening. However, I don't perceive the boozy notes others have been written about. I like the cocoa, but this is a 'neutral' rating from me. I'm glad I tried it, but I wouldn't buy a bottle. Someone into gourmand scents may find this right up their alley, however.

Boozy. Dark, old wood furniture that's never been painted or stained. Shoe polish smell, like old waxy, Kiwi brand polish in the little tin. Wood shavings on fire. Sillage seems to be "darker" than when smelled close to the skin. Becomes sweeter. Balsamic vinegar. Cocoa liqueur. Something spiced. Nutty confection accord. More smoky wood; almost a tobacco accord. Chocolate note lasts and lasts. Magnificent!

When I first put this on, I got such a strong boozy whiff – Brandy? Whiskey? – that I was surprised to find, when I checked the notes for this, that it was neither, and that in fact there is no booze at all in this. It settled rapidly though, and then I got lovely warm woody spice. There is something that makes me think of hippie shops – you know the ones, the shops that sell incense, ‘decorative’ pipes (bongs), crystals, essential oils etc. And lest you think I’m being mean, I’m not – I love hippie shops. I love the smells, the funky jewellery, the clothes, all of it – I find them relaxing places to hang out, and that’s how this perfume makes me feel. Relaxed and calm and chilled. I guess it depends on your skin chemistry – a lot of the reviews I've read seem to get a lot of chocolate from this. An hour in, I was still getting mostly the wood and balsam, with just the faintest hint of chocolate, with a lick of heat from the pepper and a touch of something herby and fresh and green, which I guess was from the clary sage. I like it though – it’s a beauty, and the longevity is brilliant – 10 hours later I could still smell it.

Ore by Slumberhouse is one of the strongest and longest lasting scents I have had the pleasure to experience. From start to finish it is amazing. Sweet? Yes. Too sweet? Not at all. Just enough sweetness to bring out the deep and resinous wood notes that makes this a tremendous scent to be enjoyed. The best part of the experience is the dry down which is absolutely amazing.... sweet, resinous "pine tree" wood note (to my nose at least) which would be the Peru balsam. A complete winner. For the price $150ish for 30ml is steep so try before you buy. ENJOY!

Slumberhouse scores again with another winner in Ore, one of the celebrated dark fragrances along the lines of Norne and Jeke.

It's slightly licorice-like at its very opening by it settles down quickly (within a few minutes) into its main character: chocolate, woody, boozy blend that is a step up in terms of sweetness from Jeke. Just as Jeke is sweeter than Norne, Ore is certainly sweeter than Jeke, anchored by the principal note of cacao. It's chocolate- and booze-dominant enough to be called a gourmand, as well, I'd say.

I see some conflicting note breakdowns among Luckyscent, Fragrantica, and Basenotes. I'm not sure what palmarosa is, and I don't detect any clary sage.

Performance-wise, this extrait follows suit from Slumberhouse's others in that it's strong, not quite as uncannily as Jeke or Norne, perhaps, but still to the extreme.

At $160 for 30ml extrait, one again really does need to love it in order to buy it, but like Jeke, Ore might need to be one of my next buys. Great juice.

8 out of 10