Not usually my cup of tea, but the name really stood out and it’s rated highly on Fragrantica with a 4.37/5. Plus the perfumer is Antoine Maisondieu so expectations were on the higher side. So here’s what I think. It opens up super bright, almost like a flashbang of citrus and spices, with lemon, bergamot, saffron, and pepper (even though pepper is listed as a mid note). After a few minutes, the citrus brightness mellows and the spices and aromatics take centre stage. Nutmeg and clary sage come through, then leather makes a grand entrance. It’s a black leather, reminiscent of the luxurious dashboard of a high-end car. Very unique in my opinion. I’m usually not a fan of leather notes, but this one really appeals to me. As it fully dries down, the citrus disappears, spices linger faintly, and sandalwood and patchouli take over the final phase. The blending is superb for a fragrance at this price point. I’ve never tried any of SF’s offerings before, but they seem underrated. This one feels best suited for older, mature men. It works well both casually and dressed up, but leans more towards cool or cold weather. Performance is the underwhelming part. I sprayed nearly 1 ml, yet it didn’t last longer than 6 hrs. Projection was about 1 ft for the first hour before it gradually became a skin scent. In a way, that’s not a bad thing. It gets noticed without overpowering anyone nearby. It lasts nicer and longer on clothes. I do wonder if the sample I tried affected performance, so a full bottle might bring at least a 30% boost. If you love leather fragrances, definitely sample this one. While many call it a blind buy, I’ve seen reviews saying it develops very differently on each person. For me, it’s a bright citrus, fresh spicy, clean leathery scent. It’s a really nice fragrance. I don’t love it because the opening gives off a slight mothball vibe, but if I had to pick a leather-forward scent, this would be my choice. I excluded performance from the score since it might be sample-related. Based on profile, blend, versatility, and price, I’d give it an 8.2/10. If I get the kind of performance others claim, I’d bump it to 8.5/10. I might pick up a bottle if I find it for under £50.

Going live in 3 minutes, just released in the USA, and hard to get free three decants with purchase and a leather travel case