r/indieperfume

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

Disclaimer: I am new to perfumes so my descriptions may not be the best :)

Got the discovery kit from Monsillage (based in Montreal) and I 10000% think they should be more known.

The sample set was 10x 1.5ml for 40CAD$, which I think is a great deal. If you are in the area and have a chance to pick it up, I recommend it so you can meet the perfumer, Isabelle Michaud, who was lovely to talk to :)

I found the fragrances to be very non-linear. What you smell the first 10 minutes changes quite a lot once settled. Even the ones that I dislike on myself, I found very well executed. Michaud explained that she doesn’t release new ones often because she really takes the time to curate each one to her vision.
The vibes I got from all scents are fresh but not in a citrus way, more in a fresh-crisp-breeze way.
Her aquatic scents, like Route du quai and Eau fraîche are magnificently executed, but alas, I do not like aquatic scents 🫩

My fav: La haute route: starts with a sharp menthol, almost sharpie-like but settles into a fantastic cold incense that warms up with time.

Honourable mention: Eau de céleri: starts very green almost savory and turns into a peaceful green scent. Only complaint is that the amazing top notes don’t last very long.

I tried them all a few weeks ago so I can’t remember each but if anyone is curious about a specific one I’ll test it again:)

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

Alkemia Perfumes: Incantation Cacao
A sensual ceremony of raw cacao, sacred Atlas cedar, vetiver root, quebracho tanned suede, green cardamon, orris root, red Rooibos chai, bitter orange, Palo Santo, and acacia flowers.

Projection & Longevity: This is one of the lower-performing scents I have tried from Alkemia, detectable to myself in the air for about two hours and detectable wrist-to-nose thereafter. At six hours the scent was nearly gone altogether.

My Scent Description: I do, again, get a faint powdery incense base. I just realized this is likely the infamous Alkemia "fancy soap" DNA that polarizes fans, and I wanted to explore this, so here's my quick analysis under the spoiler just to keep things tidy:
>!💜I recently learned that the powdery note I love is likely from orris. Orris root is a classic perfume ingredient, and lends to a "vintage" vibe in my opinion. It's that lipstick scent which can range from delicate and feminine to granny/mature.!<
>!🖤"Incense" could be coming from their Palo Santo note here, but there are a range of incensey notes. Palo Santo is a resinous wood in the "incense tree family" with frankincense. If I were to describe incense to someone who has never burned it, I would describe it as a more masculine, woodsy cousin to the high end ambery ("Oriental") women's perfumes.!<
>!--->For what it's worth, I love this as a base, especially for the hippie/witchy vibe Alkemia seems to go for.... but I can see why people say Alkemia scents "all smell like fancy soap" because a lot of them do have a hippie store soap vibe from this powdery incense base.!<

So back to Incantation Cacao. What an interesting ride! This is undeniably powdery. It's got those incensey resinous woods. An almost medicinal syrup/herbal note, like licoricey aniseed tea. The most dominantly recognizable note here is of course the cacao, buttery and rich and a little chocolatey. There's a mysterious, almost metallic inky thing going on as well, (and even after cheating at the notes I can't figure out what that could possibly be! Maybe this is the "tanned suede"? Maybe just skin chemistry?)
Tough hands softened by rich cocoa butter. Someone boils inky black dye on the stovetop. Herbs dry in the sunlight of an open window. You sip a mug of sweet, steaming aniseed tea. Incense burns in the other room.
Reviewing the notes, I sadly don't get orange. And the tea note is simply not spiced. It's also definitely not gourmand despite the vaguely choclately cacao. There's nothing fruity or zesty here. Still, it's a lovely unisex scent!

My Rating: My girlfriend leaned in close and said, "Ooh, what are you wearing? Hmm, that's a comforting scent. 8/10." She hit the nail on the head, because when I first put it on, I too thought it was a great "sexy boyfriend hug" type of scent. I just fear it isn't really me. I'm stumped on this one. I have to give it an 8.5/10, probably won't FS but I may revisit it later.