u/Vineet_Ovhal

Greetings everyone! 👋🏻 Back with another one of these. This week, I'm posting about Dark Tales 🌑, which I tried not too long ago. I hadn't explored this house before, and I had no idea what to expect other than knowing that their fragrances are supposed to be quite dark and intense.

Lo and behold, I only tried 3 samples this time. All 3 have a very unique dark character, but they absolutely go in different directions. The one thing I found particularly interesting is that none of them feel safe or generic. I was a little afraid that these were going to be weird just for the sake of being weird, but to my surprise, they actually made me stop for a second because I wasn't quite sure what I was smelling. There's a little bit of everything here dark, outdoorsy, strange, unique, elegant, luxurious, and everything in between. Definitely not what I was expecting.

Just a heads-up: Unfortunately, I don't think Dark Tales is shipping directly to the US through their website anymore. From what I can tell, Stéle and Polysnifferous are the only 2 places where you may still be able to sample them or purchase a full bottle. So, apologies in advance if I got your curiosity too high, knowing that they're harder to get.

Knight of Darkness - If I had to imagine what a Knight of Darkness would smell like, this honestly isn't far off. It starts off rugged and aromatic, with rosemary, basil, neroli, and bay rum giving it a fresh but slightly rough character. There's something about it that makes me picture a knight who doesn't need to say much to command attention. He's strong, imposing, and mysterious, and that's exactly how the fragrance feels. It's rugged and almost cold at first, but with something much darker underneath. As it settles, the woods and myrrh start coming through and give it more depth, while the tobacco and dark vanilla sit in the background, bringing in this smoky, earthy warmth. With all of those notes together, I honestly expected this to be much heavier and more difficult to wear. Instead, it feels dark, sophisticated, and incredibly atmospheric without going overboard. Definitely not a safe or generic fragrance. Really enjoyed this one, and the name actually makes perfect sense once you smell it. 9.5/10 💫

Ondskan - Okay, let me pause on this one for a minute…..*breathes in, breathes out*. The opening lists green cognac and crushed tomato leaf, and to my nose, there's this sharp green quality that immediately feels a little unsettling. As that opening fades, I start getting smoke, vetiver, and leather, and honestly, it just gets stranger from there. Somewhere in the middle, this almost metallic and animalic quality starts to emerge that I have a hard time putting into words. It's one of those fragrances where I kept smelling my arm because I genuinely couldn't figure out whether I liked it or not. I don't think I do lol, at least not enough to wear it regularly, but I definitely can't say it's boring either. If I had to put my feeling into a visual, imagine walking into a damp, abandoned stone mansion in the middle of a cold thunderstorm at night. Somewhere you probably shouldn't be in the first place! That's what Ondskan feels like to me. Extremely niche, very atmospheric, and definitely not for everyone. 6.5/10 👍🏻

Also…this is probably the 3rd most challenging fragrance I've come across in my collection so far, which might give you an idea.

The Witches - Wow, this one surprised me! With a name like "The Witches," I was expecting something much darker, stranger, and maybe even a little difficult. Instead, the dark fruits, liquorice, and clove give it this rich opening before the rose and florals start coming through and completely change the mood. There's still plenty of darkness underneath from the smoky woods and incense, but it never feels dirty or overly challenging. If anything, it smells luxurious and expensive. It makes me picture someone dressed up in all black at a dimly lit, upscale masquerade. Very elegant and put together, but with this mysterious side. I have no idea what the roasted seashell note does here, because I can't point to it and say, “Yep, that's roasted seashell,” but there is something unusual underneath everything that I can't quite identify. This is dark and mysterious, with just a slight touch of sweetness, exactly the way I like it. 9.5/10 💫

📝 Overall, I know 3 fragrances aren't nearly enough to judge an entire house, but I have to say, Dark Tales left me wanting to try more. 🌑 There is definitely a certain darkness running through all 3, but what surprised me was how differently each one approached it. None of them felt safe or predictable, and even the one I didn't particularly enjoy was interesting enough that I kept going back to smell it.

Knight of Darkness and The Witches were easily the standouts for me, but for completely different reasons. Knight of Darkness gave me that rugged, strong, almost commanding presence, while The Witches was much more elegant, luxurious, and mysterious with just the right touch of sweetness. And then there's Ondskan! I still don't know exactly what to make of that one. It's probably not something I would actually wear, but I have to give it credit for being completely unapologetic about what it is. If these 3 are any indication of what the rest of Dark Tales is like, I'm definitely curious to explore more. I may not end up liking everything they make, but honestly, I think that's part of the fun with a house like this.

Has anyone else tried Dark Tales? Since I haven't explored much from the house yet, I'm really curious to hear what everyone else thinks.

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For more reviews, check out my posts below:

👉🏻 Wylde Ivy: Exploring Wylde Ivy - My Impressions
👉🏻 Pineward: Exploring Pineward - My Impressions
👉🏻 For The Scent Of It: Exploring For The Scent Of It - My Impressions
👉🏻 Treading Water: Exploring Treading Water - My Impressions
👉🏻 House of Mammoth: Exploring House of Mammoth - My Impressions
👉🏻 Olympic Orchids: Exploring Olympic Orchids - My Impressions

There's something about a fragrance that can completely change the atmosphere around you. Sometimes it's a familiar smell that reminds you of a particular place, and other times it's simply how a fragrance makes you feel when you catch it in the air. That's what I found myself paying attention to during this week's exploration. 🌙✨

This time, I spent some time with Wylde Ivy, and I have to say, this was an interesting collection to experience. 🍂🌫️

What caught my attention was how differently these fragrances approached darkness, warmth, and smokiness. There's quite a bit of overlap in the materials, particularly vanilla, woods, amber, and smoke, but each fragrance has its own character. Some were surprisingly easy to wear, while others had interesting ideas that didn't quite come together for me. I enjoyed exploring the collection, although there were definitely a few things that left me wanting more.

A Midnight Dreary - This one immediately reminds me of sitting in a cozy room on a cold evening, with a fireplace burning and a freshly brewed cup of coffee nearby. The coffee is particularly enjoyable here, with the rum, cedar smoke, and leather creating a darker atmosphere without making the fragrance feel heavy. As it develops, the vanilla, tonka, and amber introduce a comforting warmth that makes everything feel smoother. What I really appreciate is how well the different elements work together. Nothing feels excessive, and despite its relatively dark profile, it's surprisingly easy to wear. One of the more complete and enjoyable compositions I tried from the house. 8.5/10 ✅

An Agony of Desire - I really enjoyed the opening of this one. There's something refreshing and effortlessly pleasant about the combination of citrus, juniper, and slightly fruity plum. It has that clean, understated quality that makes me imagine wearing it on a pleasant morning when I want something fresh without being too noticeable. As it develops, the orris and sandalwood introduce a softer, woody character, while the incense and amber musk add a little warmth. Unfortunately, this is also where the fragrance starts losing me. It becomes a skin scent remarkably quickly, and I find myself wishing that beautiful opening lasted longer. I really like the scent itself, but the performance leaves me wanting more. 8/10 ✅

Into the Dead Wood - This one has a very fall-like character, reminding me of dry leaves, weathered wood, and the warmth of being indoors on a chilly evening. The combination of dried vanilla, cedar, and spiced rum creates a dry, slightly boozy opening, while the charred amber and burnt cocoa gradually introduce a darker warmth. Interestingly, I also get a noticeable tobacco-like quality as it develops, even though tobacco isn't listed among the notes. Combined with the powdery vanilla and smoky woods, it reminds me a little of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, although this is considerably softer and more powdery. I enjoy the overall character, but there's something about the composition that feels a little less developed than I would have liked. 7.5/10 👍🏻

Rouge & Siren - This one reminds me of sitting beside a fire after the sun has gone down, with that unmistakable smell of burning wood lingering in the air. The opening is quite smoky and charred, but the burnt vanilla and black honey gradually introduce a richer sweetness that balances everything beautifully. I particularly enjoy what the honey brings to the composition. It gives the fragrance a little punch and personality without making it overly sweet or taking away from the smoky character. There's also a nice balance between masculine and feminine qualities, making it genuinely unisex. It's a pleasant, well-balanced fragrance, although it doesn't quite have that extra something that would make it a standout for me. 7.5/10 👍🏻

The Crow - This is probably the most straightforward fragrance I tried from the collection. It reminds me of dry wood with a faint trace of smoke, while the suede and vanilla resin introduce a softer, slightly powdery character. The frankincense adds some resinous warmth, but the fragrance doesn't really change much as it develops. I don't necessarily mind linear fragrances, especially when the composition itself is enjoyable, but I kept waiting for something interesting to happen here. It's a perfectly pleasant woody fragrance, although it feels a little too simple and doesn't leave much of an impression on me. I can appreciate what it's trying to do, but it wasn't particularly memorable. 6/10 👍🏻

The Owl - This was easily my favorite of the collection. The combination of honey and smoked vanilla creates a rich, luxurious warmth, while the amber and birch wood introduce just enough dryness and smoke to keep everything beautifully balanced. What I particularly enjoy is how this fragrance smells in the air. There's something about the way the honey and vanilla come together that makes it feel considerably more expensive than it actually is. The smokiness is noticeable without becoming overpowering, and the sweetness never feels excessive. It has this warm, intimate character that immediately makes me think of sitting in a dimly lit speakeasy or cocktail bar, dressed up, with a Manhattan in hand. It's comforting, refined, and surprisingly easy to wear despite its relatively rich character. This is one of those fragrances that I genuinely enjoy catching occasional whiffs of throughout the day. 9/10 💫

📝 Overall, I liked exploring Wylde Ivy, although I have somewhat mixed feelings about the collection as a whole. 🌙 There are definitely some interesting compositions here, particularly if you enjoy fragrances built around smoke, vanilla, woods, and amber. However, while I enjoyed most of what I sampled, I also felt that a few fragrances were missing that final bit of refinement or development that would have made them considerably more memorable. Some had beautiful openings that didn't quite maintain their appeal, while others were pleasant but relatively straightforward.

The Owl was easily my favorite, with its beautifully balanced honey, vanilla, and smoke creating a fragrance that genuinely impressed me. A Midnight Dreary was another standout, particularly because of how naturally the coffee, leather, and smoky warmth came together. I also really enjoyed An Agony of Desire, although its performance was disappointing. The remaining fragrances were pleasant, but none particularly stood out to me. That said, one thing I really appreciate about Wylde Ivy is its pricing. These fragrances are remarkably affordable for what they offer, and I think that makes some of their shortcomings considerably easier to overlook. While I wasn't completely blown away by the collection, there are definitely a few fragrances worth exploring, especially considering the value you're getting for the price.

For those of you who have explored Wylde Ivy, what are your favorites? Have you tried any of these, and are there other fragrances from the house that you think I should sample next?

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👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Pineward here: Exploring Pineward - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on For The Scent Of It here: Exploring For The Scent Of It - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Treading Water here: Exploring Treading Water - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on House of Mammoth here: Exploring House of Mammoth - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Olympic Orchids here: Exploring Olympic Orchids - My Impressions

Hello everyone! 👋🏻 A lot of people asked me to try Pineward, so here I am with another indie fragrance review. 🌲✨ I finally got around to sampling a good selection from the house, and I was particularly curious to see how the fragrances would stand up to the high praise.

For this post, I am taking a look at Pineward. 🌲

What immediately stood out to me about Pineward is how natural and artisanal the fragrances feel. Many of them have a strong connection to the outdoors, but there’s quite a bit of variety within the collection. Some are incredibly easy to wear and versatile, while others are much more challenging and unconventional. That contrast made this a particularly fun house for me to explore, because I never quite knew what I was going to get from one fragrance to the next.

Clemenpine - This one opens with clementine, blood orange, and passion fruit, and the first thing that hits me is how juicy and natural the citrus and fruit smell. The maritime pine adds a crisp green quality underneath without taking away from that bright opening. As it develops, jasmine, saffron flower, white lotus, and suede add some texture before fir balsam, tobacco, cedar, leather, sandalwood, and ambergris settle into a smooth, woody dry down. What I really like about this one is how high quality and natural everything smells without making the fragrance difficult to wear. It feels effortless and versatile enough for pretty much any weather. 8.5/10 ✅

Coastal Veil - This one is definitely not an easy introduction. It opens with juniper, seawater, and bladderwrack, and I get a huge blast of sea salt and seaweed that immediately reminds me of standing right next to the ocean. There’s also a slight resemblance to Megamare, especially in that intense marine quality, although Coastal Veil develops in a more earthy direction. As it develops, coastal cypress, oyster mushroom, water pepper, eucalyptus, and sea moss gradually bring in earthy and spicy nuances that start to tame the aquatic opening. The Pacific ambergris and sandalwood eventually smooth things out, but the marine character never really disappears. It’s challenging for me, but there’s something fascinating about watching it evolve. 7/10 👍🏻

Coffee Tabac - This one opens dark and dense, with cured burley tobacco and mocha coffee creating a rich first impression. I expected the coffee to play a bigger role, but on my skin the tobacco quickly takes over, bringing a very earthy, resinous, and spicy character while the coffee and sweetness stay surprisingly subdued. As it develops, vanilla, cedar, guaiac wood, incense, resins, spices, and patchouli add more depth, but I also start getting this unusual dusty, almost mineral-like quality that I find quite interesting. There’s definitely something distinctive here, but for me it ends up feeling more like a tobacco fragrance than the balanced tobacco-and-coffee composition I was expecting. 6.5/10 👍🏻

Delfiño - This one opens with clementine and tomato leaf, and the first impression is incredibly fresh, zesty, and almost effervescent. The juicy citrus immediately takes center stage, while juniper adds this crisp aromatic quality that keeps everything feeling bright and lively. There’s also a very unusual citrus tincture-like quality here that I have a hard time putting into words. Sometimes I absolutely love it, and other times it doesn’t quite work for me, which makes this one a little unpredictable on my skin. As it develops, vetiver, sandalwood, and Pacific ambergris give it a soft, lightly earthy foundation without taking away from the freshness. One of the most interesting citrus fragrances I’ve smelled in recent times, and even with that occasional inconsistency for me, it’s incredibly easy to wear and hard not to enjoy. 9/10 💫

Faun Forest - This one gives me exactly the kind of cool, green forest impression I was hoping for. It opens with pomegranate and blackberry, but the fruit is subtle and mostly sits underneath an intensely green fir accord. As it develops, the fir becomes even more prominent and takes on a refreshing minty and herbal quality, while the berries remain quietly in the background. I really like how different this feels without becoming difficult to wear. It has a very distinctive personality, but it still feels approachable enough that I can actually imagine reaching for it regularly. 8.5/10 ✅

Hayloft - This one has such a cozy, rustic character to it. It opens with hay, lavender, honey, crocus, sweet vernalgrass, and bison grass, creating a beautifully balanced grassy opening that feels very natural. As it develops, toasted almond, hazelnut, and oats bring in warmth and a subtle nutty sweetness, while sandalwood and dusty wheat give the dry down a soft, rustic quality. At one point, the combination of honey and grains starts smelling almost like freshly baked pastry, which I really enjoy. It’s extremely wearable, comforting, and somehow manages to feel very festive without turning into an overly sweet gourmand. 8.5/10 ✅

Juniperus - This is one of those fragrances that I can immediately see myself reaching for. It opens with juniper berry, lemon peel, rosemary, and juniper scale, giving me a fresh, slightly juicy opening that feels crisp without being sharp. As it develops, lavender and juniper wood bring in softer herbal and woody facets, while sandalwood and patchouli create a smooth, subtly earthy foundation in the dry down. The juniper stays at the center of everything, and I think that’s what makes the fragrance work so well for me. Fresh, clean, natural, and incredibly easy to wear, with a versatility that makes it hard to go wrong with. 9/10 💫

Lime Cola - This one is such a fun concept because the opening really does smell like cracking open a can of lime cola. Cold-pressed lime, black cherry, ginger root, and rum create this intensely fizzy, zesty effect that is immediately recognizable. The opening is a little challenging for me, but in a way that makes me want to keep smelling it rather than walk away from it. As it develops, cola, neroli, and bitter orange keep the brightness going while nutmeg, coriander, and cinnamon gradually make everything warmer and more rounded. It gets smoother and more enjoyable as it dries down, and I really appreciate how unique it is without sacrificing wearability. 8.5/10 ✅

Noki - This was my favorite of the lot. The opening is incredibly distinctive, with lychee, mango, mint, rhubarb, and cassis creating this fresh, fruity, and slightly herbal combination that I wasn’t expecting at all. As it develops, the mango and mint become more prominent and somehow work together beautifully, while sandalwood and ambergris give everything a creamy foundation underneath. What really makes this one for me is how it smells in the air - there’s something about the combination of tropical mango and fresh mint that reminds me of a mint mango hookah. It sounds unusual, but it smells absolutely fantastic. Tropical, refreshing, unique without being strange, and extremely easy to wear. 9.5/10 💫

White Fir - This one opens with orange, white fir, ginger, clove, and anise, and the first impression is much spicier and more vibrant than I expected. The orange gives it some brightness, while the ginger, clove, and anise come through quite strongly and give the opening a slightly tangy, spicy character. As it develops, pine, iris, juniper, and heliotrope bring in greener and lightly floral facets before musk, vetiver, incense, cedar, and oakmoss create a smooth, earthy, smoky dry down. I really like how natural this smells throughout the development, and the balance between freshness, spice, and smoke is what makes it work so well for me. 8.5/10 ✅

📝 Overall, Pineward was one of the more memorable houses I’ve explored so far. 🌲 What stood out to me most was how natural and artisanal the fragrances feel, with a strong connection to their materials and the outdoors. There’s also a great variety here, from bright citrus and tropical fruit to green forests, tobacco, marine notes, florals, spices, and smoky woods.

Quite a few were incredibly easy for me to wear, particularly Delfiño, Juniperus, Noki, and Clemenpine, with Noki being my favorite of the bunch. Faun Forest, Hayloft, and White Fir were also very enjoyable, while Coastal Veil and Coffee Tabac were more challenging for me. Even Lime Cola had a challenging opening but became much more enjoyable as it developed. Not everything worked equally well for me, but there was almost always something distinctive that kept me interested.

For those of you who are into indie/artisanal fragrances, have you tried Pineward? What are your favorites from the house, and what should I try next?

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👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on For The Scent Of It here: Exploring For The Scent Of It - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Treading Water here: Exploring Treading Water - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on House of Mammoth here: Exploring House of Mammoth - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Olympic Orchids here: Exploring Olympic Orchids - My Impressions

Hello everyone! 👋🏻 I am back with another fragrance exploration 🔍✨ After going through a few different houses already, I am starting to appreciate just how much variety there is within the indie fragrance world, and how differently each house approaches its compositions.

For this post, I am taking a look at For The Scent Of It. 🍊

I sampled quite a few fragrances from the house, and there’s a nice range of styles here. Some are fresh and airy, some are green and coastal, while others take a warmer, spicier, or more resinous direction. Overall, I found quite a few that I enjoyed, although some left a stronger impression on me than others.

Black Sails - This one opens with fresh lemon, lavender, cardamom, and sparkling gin, creating an airy nautical character that immediately feels clean and breezy. As it develops, cedar, oak, and sea breeze keep the fragrance fresh, woody, and distinctly coastal. The incense, amber, and black musk stay very faint on my skin, so while I enjoy the clean and breezy character, I find myself wanting a little more depth. Ultimately, it’s pleasant but doesn’t leave much of an impression on me. 5.5/10 👎🏻

Blackwood Sun - This one opens with bright blood orange, bergamot, and tea, creating a fresh, juicy, and slightly aromatic character. As it develops, ebony wood gradually darkens the composition, while vetiver and patchouli add some earthy, woody depth underneath. It’s pleasant enough, but the overall DNA feels fairly familiar to me and doesn’t strike me as especially unique. 6.5/10 👍🏻

Crème De Bergamot - This one opens with soft, creamy bergamot that feels smooth and slightly sweet rather than sharp or overly citrusy. As it develops, light florals and musks keep everything airy and understated, before the fragrance dries down clean and skin-like. Gentle, comforting, and minimal. 8/10 ✅

Eastern Sea Moss - This one opens with a fresh marine-green character with a salty, mossy edge that immediately gives it a coastal feeling. As it develops, it takes on more of a seaweed-like depth with earthy nuances underneath. As it dries down, soft woods and musks create a gentle finish that keeps the fragrance natural and atmospheric. Coastal, natural, and atmospheric. 8/10 ✅

Forbidden Fig - This one opens with fig leaf and sunny grapefruit, creating a bright, green character before the rich, creamy fig pulp gradually takes over. The fig smells incredibly realistic, and as it dries down, musk adds a soft and understated finish. If you like the smell of fig, I think you’ll probably enjoy this one; if you don’t, I am not sure this fragrance is going to change your mind. 6/10 👍🏻

Molten Ambra - This one opens with cinnamon, coriander, and pepper, creating a fiery and spicy introduction before molten amber and iris gradually envelop Texas and Atlas cedar in a rich, resinous heart. As it dries down, sandalwood, resins, musk, and vanilla create a warm and sweet finish. Spicy, woody, and intensely amber. 7.5/10 👍🏻

Tobacco Pod - This one opens with warm spices before Bulgarian tobacco absolute takes center stage with a rich, velvety character. As it develops, the tobacco remains warm and inviting, while vanilla and cedarwood gradually create a smooth, creamy, woody foundation underneath. Warm, inviting, and comforting. 7.5/10 👍🏻

Wasteland Warrior - This one opens with blood orange, coriander, and yarrow, creating a bright and spicy introduction before blood cedar and vetiver bring in a smoky, green, and earthy character. As it develops, the fragrance becomes darker and more rugged, while scorched resins, vanilla, and amber create a warm, smoky dry down. Rugged, woody, and atmospheric. 8/10 ✅

📝 Overall, For The Scent Of It was a solid house to explore. ✨ There’s a good amount of variety here, and I found several fragrances that I genuinely enjoyed, particularly Crème De Bergamot, Eastern Sea Moss, and Wasteland Warrior. The warmer fragrances like Molten Ambra and Tobacco Pod were also quite pleasant, while Black Sails and Blackwood Sun felt more familiar and ultimately didn’t leave as much of an impression on me.

What I liked most about exploring this house was the range of styles. There’s something nice about being able to move from creamy bergamot and marine-green notes to tobacco, amber, and smoky woods within the same house. At the same time, most of these didn’t quite reach that “wow” territory for me. They’re good fragrances, and several are very enjoyable, but I am still looking for those scents that really stick with me after I’ve finished sampling them.

For those of you who are into indie/artisanal fragrances, have you tried For The Scent Of It? What are your favorites from the house, and what should I try next?

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👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Treading Water here: Exploring Treading Water - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on House of Mammoth here: Exploring House of Mammoth - My Impressions

👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Olympic Orchids here: Exploring Olympic Orchids - My Impressions

TAKE ALL 6 FOR JUST $110 SHIPPED! 💥

Selling 6 Lattafa fragrances from my personal collection. All bottles have been stored carefully in a cool, dry place. Approximate fill levels are listed below. Additional photos are available upon request.

💎 AVAILABLE

Lattafa Al Nashama Caprice - 100 mL (~90% remaining) - $22
Lattafa Ameer Al Oudh Intense - 100 mL (~90% remaining) - $13
Lattafa Asad - 100 mL (~80% remaining) - $14
Lattafa Atlas - 55 mL (~99% remaining) - $27
Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud For Glory - 100 mL (~80% remaining) - $22
Lattafa Rave Now - 100 mL (~75% remaining) - $16

💥 ALL 6: $110 SHIPPED!

I purchased all 6 for $160.

6 fragrances, all seasons, every occasion - this bundle has you covered! From fresh and versatile to sweet, warm, and bold, there’s a little something for every mood and season.

💳 PAYMENT

PayPal G&S.

📦 SHIPPING

$8 flat shipping for one fragrance, CONUS only. Additional fragrances can be bundled, with shipping adjusted based on the total package weight. If you take all 6, I’ll cover the shipping!

Please comment on the post before sending a PM.

Thanks for looking, and happy fragrance hunting! :)

Hello everyone! 👋🏻 I am back with another little dive into the world of indie and artisanal perfumery. 🌊✨ There’s something I really enjoy about indie houses because they tend to be much more willing to experiment with unusual notes and combinations.

This time, I thought I’d talk about an indie house I recently sampled: Treading Water.

There’s definitely an experimental side to the house, with some fragrances using pretty unconventional notes and combinations, but I found all of these quite wearable. There’s a nice balance between creativity and fragrances that you can actually imagine yourself wearing.

Coeur d’Artichaut - This one opens with bright grapefruit and mandarin alongside a creamy mango note, which gives it a juicy and tropical quality. Then the artichoke absolute comes through and adds this really unusual vegetal, green facet that completely changes the character of the fragrance. As it dries down, the aged benzoin brings in some warm, resinous sweetness that rounds everything out. Fruity, green, citrusy, and wonderfully unconventional. 7.5/10 👍🏻

Judith - This one has a really interesting contrast right from the beginning. The burnt cotton candy gives it this sweet, almost caramelized quality, while the lily adds a soft floral element and a hint of smokiness. Arabian oud and dry amber then take over and make the fragrance much darker and deeper. In the dry down, the deer musk adds an intense animalic edge that creates this strange combination of sugary sweetness and raw darkness. Definitely unusual, but I really enjoyed the contrast. 8/10 ✅

Morosexual - A warm and cozy fragrance built around tobacco and vanilla, with star anise and nutmeg adding a nice spicy opening. The jasmine and patchouli gradually come through and give it some floral and earthy depth without taking away from the tobacco. As it dries down, the tobacco and vanilla become the stars, with the spices lingering underneath. Warm, sweet, earthy, and comforting. 8/10 ✅

Stel - This one is probably the most unusual opening of the bunch. Motor oil, metal, and desert air create this strange industrial atmosphere that smells almost like hot machinery sitting out in the desert. Then the frankincense starts adding smoky, resinous depth, and eventually the oud takes over and gives the dry down a dark, woody character. Very unique, but surprisingly fun to wear. 8.5/10 ✅

The Observer - This was probably my favorite of the bunch. The opening of violet and black pepper gives it a cool, slightly mysterious character, and then the incense and oakmoss start building this smoky, earthy atmosphere. The dry down is where it really shines for me, with vanilla and sandalwood adding warmth and creaminess without taking away from the darker character. Dark, atmospheric, smoky, and intriguing. 9/10 💫

Utopia - This one takes a completely different direction. Fresh apples, clean water, and green plants create a crisp, almost dewy opening that feels very fresh and natural. The geranium adds a soft aromatic floral quality, while the oud eventually comes through and gives the dry down some darker depth. I really like the contrast between the clean, green character and the heavier oud underneath. Fresh, green, and unconventional. 8.5/10 ✅

📝 Overall, I really enjoyed exploring Treading Water. ✨ There’s definitely an experimental side to these fragrances, but I never felt like the unusual notes were there just for the sake of being weird. Even the more unconventional compositions had something interesting going on, and several of these were surprisingly easy to wear. The Observer was probably my favorite, but Stel and Utopia were also standouts for me because of how different they felt from more traditional fragrances.

For those of you who are into indie/artisanal fragrances, have you tried Treading Water?

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👉🏻 You can find my thoughts on Olympic Orchids here: Exploring Olympic Orchids - My Impressions

Hello everyone! I am new to this subreddit, so I figured I’d start with a little introduction. I’ve been collecting fragrances for 7+ years now and am pretty deep down the rabbit hole at this point lol. My journey has taken me through a few different stages: Starting with cheapies, then moving into Middle Eastern fragrances, followed by niche, and eventually finding my way into indie and artisanal perfumery.

Since this is my first post here, I thought I’d talk about an indie house I tried recently: Olympic Orchids.

I recently got around to trying a few samples from Olympic Orchids, and I have to say, this is a really interesting house. Some of these were much easier for me to enjoy than others, but even the difficult ones were fascinating to smell. There’s definitely a strong artistic side to the house, and a few of these pushed me pretty far outside my comfort zone.

Blackbird - This one opens with a really nice juicy Himalayan blackberry note, but it doesn’t stay fruity for long. The dry grass, leaves, elemi, and cedar quickly take over and give it this dry, green, and resinous character. As it dries down, the woody amber, fir balsam, and musk make it feel warm and almost sun-baked. Dry, woody, and ambery, but with just enough fruitiness to keep it interesting. 8.5/10 ✅

Dev #2: The Main Act - This one is really challenging. The opening smells almost like a pungent medicinal, smoky and resinous balm. It takes a while for the warm spices to come through and add some richness. Underneath that, you get leather, dark woods, smoky resins, and animalic nuances. Extremely dark and unusual. Definitely not one I’d recommend to someone just getting into fragrance. 8.5/10 ✅

Dev #3: The Inevitable - Another very challenging one. The opening is dominated by dark labdanum, frankincense, myrrh, and cistus, and it comes across as very medicinal, smoky, and resinous. Eventually the creamy sandalwood and amber start to soften things, but it never really becomes an easy wear for me. I appreciate what it’s doing, but this feels much more like an artistic composition than something I’d actually want to wear regularly. 5/10 👎🏻

Dev #4: Reprise - This one was much easier for me to appreciate. It starts with clear labdanum and tolu balsam, giving it a warm, resinous quality, and then the darker labdanum and frankincense come in and add that smoky, balsamic richness. The woods and giant arborvitae give it a dry, structured finish. Resinous, smoky, and contemplative. Probably the most wearable of the three Devs. 8/10 ✅

Night Flyer - Really weird, but in a good way. The opening gives me this damp-earth, mineral, humid-air feeling that reminds me of being inside a tropical cave. Then you start getting figs, banana, and soft fruits, although the banana and fruitiness are pretty subtle. They sit quietly in the background while the woods and furry musk add warmth and texture. Very atmospheric and unusual. I really enjoyed experiencing this one. 6/10 👍🏻

Olympic Rainforest - This might be the different one of the bunch. Cedar leaves, ferns, and damp earth create that unmistakable smell of walking through a misty forest right after rainfall. The moss, evergreens, and earthy notes give it an almost uncanny realism. It’s incredibly immersive, atmospheric, and realistic. 7.5/10 👍🏻

Overall, I am really glad I sampled these. Olympic Orchids definitely isn't a house where everything is going to be easy to wear or immediately enjoyable, but I think that's part of the appeal. Some of these are genuinely challenging, but they’re also memorable and give you something to think about.

For those of you who are into indie/artisanal fragrances, what are some houses you think I should explore next? And if you’ve tried Olympic Orchids, I’d love to hear your thoughts as well. What are your favorites from the house?