Good morning Hood! Man oh man… have you tried this yet? If not, WHY?! That’s exactly what I asked myself after trying it out on a recommendation from @Lon Chaneyfield. If there’s one key takeaway from this post, it’s this. If you’re on the fence about trying a rose fragrance because you’re worried it might lean too feminine, you must try this one. It’s a spicy, resinous rose that leans masculine and makes a powerful statement. IMO, it’s truly a masterpiece. Signature Halfeti Black Rose was launched in 2024 by none other than the great George Zaharoff, alongside master perfumer Claude Dir. The opening offers a rich spiciness from black pepper and basil, balanced with a touch of brightness from bergamot. The first sprays come across very powerful, but with an immediately apparent quality. I don’t get any synthetic feel, just pure, high quality ingredients. And given the fact that I’m by no means an expert and can still tell, that says a lot. As the fragrance begins to dry down, the rose accord starts to shine in a subtle yet masculine way. It’s not a sweet or jammy rose, but a dark, powerful, refined rose. Honestly, I think it smells exactly like the bottle looks, dark, rich, and masterfully done. Vetiver, musk, amber, and cedarwood round it out beautifully, while the rose remains the star of the blend. Performance is top notch. The sillage is very noticeable, giving you reminders of where you’ve been when you walk back into a space. I did go nose-blind shortly after applying it, but this fragrance shifts and reintroduces itself throughout the day. Projection is about arm’s length, and longevity is well over 10 hours. I’m especially impressed with the longevity, considering I’m very active in a warehouse environment. Presentation is phenomenal! Excellent packaging, and if you get the larger bottle, it comes with amazing artwork on the metal placard. It’s truly a work of art, hand painted and one of my favorites in the collection. The atomizer is good, not Mancera good, but it definitely gets the job done (LOL, love me some Mancera).

I decided to explore more niche fragrances this year and I am starting of with some Mancera. Hindu Kush really struck a cord for me. It's said to have been inspired by the rugged mountain range that spans the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is a dense, resinous, and deeply atmospheric fragrance. From the initial 10 fragrances that I got it is probably the most unique from this house, moving away from the typical "rose-oud" DNA to explore something more herbal and mystical. Released in 2018 by Perfumer Pier Montale, the founder of both Montale & Mancera. ​It is an Amber Woody fragrance. Despite the name, it does not smell like a head shop. I was actually taken back when I tried it first as I don't enjoy cannabis in my fragrance, but the The note here is green, botanical, and oily, rather than smoky or skunky. ​The opening hits with an explosion of dry spices. You get a prominent hit of black pepper, clove, and saffron. Very quickly, the incense and cannabis notes emerge. The cannabis here is "green" and resinous, providing a thick, herbal texture. ​As the initial spice settles, the heart becomes much woodier. Patchouli takes center stage, t’s earthy but clean. This is paired with dark wood accords and a touch of terpenic resin (labdanum) that keeps the fragrance feeling balsamic and rich. ​The base is where the Mancera signature shines. It softens into a warm, slightly sweet foundation of amber, white musk, and Madagascar vanilla. The guaiac wood provides a lingering smokiness that ties back to the incense in the opening. When I first tried it, it smelt somewhat different must have been the scent cloud as I was running 4 or 5 different scents up each arm. Performance wise, this is an easy 9hr wear. It projects rather heavy for the first 3 hrs , this will fill a room so spray with caution. Perfect for the colder weather, Hindu Kush is a masterpiece for those who love "dark green" fragrances. It’s spiritual, mysterious, and commanding. If you enjoy scents like Amouage Interlude or Tiziana Terenzi Laudano Nero, this will likely be a hit for you.