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.

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