Back at it with another Mancera banger! Tonight I bring you Kumkat Wood, launched in 2013 by once again the amazing Pierre Montale. This is a woody, floral, musky fragrance that absolutely turns heads… even when you least expect it. The opening hits tart and bright, with an obvious blast of bergamot and citrus plume. There’s an immediate effervescent quality right out of the gate, which I suspect comes from the spices paired with cedar. At first, it presents itself as somewhat subtle, almost polite but trust me… that impression does not last. Stay tuned. Around the 18-minute mark, cedar and vetiver begin to surface while the bitter-sweet grapefruit and lemon continue floating on top of the blend. At this stage, it’s slightly spicy, lightly sweet, yet still bright and vibrant. The woods here aren’t dark or heavy, they’re light, airy, and refined, with cedar taking the lead and vetiver humming in the background. It’s honestly addicting. Fast forward to about five hours in, and the scent shifts deeper while maintaining its brightness. Vetiver becomes more forward, with cedar continuing to give that uplifting, almost sparkling feel. Projection is still very much alive and pushing off the skin. I was genuinely impressed. Now here’s where it gets wild… eight hours later, this thing is still projecting. So much so that two coworkers stopped me to ask what I was wearing and where they could get it. I sent them the Jomashop link, and they’re already planning to pick it up. Some people compare this to Terre d’Hermès, but I don’t really see it. If anything, this is sweeter, smoother, and less sharp around the edges. Personally, I don’t think it smells like TDH at all. Performance is deceiving in the beginning but ends up being absolutely top-notch. Expect well over eight hours of longevity with a sillage that really captivates later in the wear. Season-wise, this is a true year-round banger as its extremely versatile. It definitely leans masculine, but a woman could easily rock this without hesitation.

Fell sick for the past 2 days so couldn’t post much. Feeling much better so easing back in with Y EDP. Is it just me or your senses get a bit stronger post-sickness?