October Sample Haul

created with Ideogram AI and Adobe Photoshop

I test a lot of samples, so I thought I'd give you some brief impressions on a monthly basis.

d'Annam Japanese Whiskey

Whiskey, Clary Sage, Oak, Barley, Chestnut, Sandalwood

I've tried Japanese whiskey--Suntori--but it was a while ago and I don't remember what it smells like. Maybe it smells like clary sage and barley with a slightly creamy sandalwood nuttiness? It's nice, but I'll echo the main complaint: nobody needs 150ml at $380. 

D.S. & Durga Cognac Reign

Caramelized Bergamot, Orris Absolute, Orris Concrete, Cognac, Tonka, Cognac Barrel Accord

Somewhat boozy, lightly sweet iris and tonka scent with a woody backdrop. It's delicious, and a full bottle is in my future.

Regime des Fleurs 

I hadn't tried any by this company before, but these two intrigued me. I preferred Green Vanille over Blood Spider Orchids, but not enough to shell out $275 for 75ml.

Green Vanille

Chamomile, Hazelnut, Almond Milk, Vanilla, Coriander, Benzoin, Atlas Cedar, Sandalwood, 

Haitian Vetiver

Normally I stay away from scents with a hazelnut note because I have found several of them rather sickening. This one, however, is quite nice and rather short lived. The rest of the opening is great, a bit green, some coziness, and a smell not unlike the very addictive Carmex lip balm. It dries down to a balsamic vanilla with some woods and spice. I wish I had a spray instead of a dabber of this; dabbing makes it wear too close to the skin and I practically had to snort my wrist to get a whiff. Pretty nice, but out of my price range. 

Blood Spider Orchids
Cinnamon, Clove, Tonka Bean, Frankincense, Benzoin, Jasmine, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Cedarwood

This reminds me of stepping into the old hippie candle/incense/mineral shop that used to be on Read Street in Baltimore. It smelled of perfumed incense--those little burnable cones or sticks of stuff that smelled of jasmine or spices, not actual frankincense. It also smells a bit like apple pie. It's pleasant, somewhat Christmassy, but there's a dusty powderiness that I'm not loving. Not as fantastic as the name would imply.

-----------------------
Posted by theminx on Minxstinks
Note: this post is my opinion. I am not affiliated with the companies mentioned in this post or any other companies.