I Will Do it Again

I’ve struggled to find words to adequately describe this one. I’m still struggling. I got a 1ml decant of this out of sheer curiosity, thinking it would be very challenging. I’d never seen sulphur listed as a note. Of 8 samples in this order, with 5 being those I had very high hopes for, this was the ONLY one I knew immediately that I wanted a full bottle. Because of the price, I added it to my “someday,” gift list. By wear number three, I scratched that off and added to my cart.

The easy, insufficient words for Athanor on my skin with my nose: Wet - Briefly sharp, though not at all unpleasant. A tiny hit of something energizing.Mid - perhaps two minutes in though three to five hours, depending on temperature and all the things, it’s a gentle cocoon of long-burnt incense and resins, so lightly sweet you’ll miss it if you aren’t paying attention. Dry - probably amber and frankincense. Warm, soft.

I’m not using many specific notes because Athanor is masterfully blended. I’m probably also just terribly uneducated and unpracticed at identifying specific notes, but I still land on the blending. There’s nothing crying out for the spotlight to me. Nothing screechy or harsh.

The bottle itself is also gorgeous in an understated way. The glass feels solid and heavy, boasting the kind of smooth lines I’ve admired on the highest-end luxury vehicles. The sculpture on the cap is well-done; the verdigris mimic compliments the soft golden liquid. I would kill to protect the atomizer. It gives a perfect tiny spritz of fine, medium-diameter mist, so application is precise, and I never have to worry about wasting or over-application. I don’t fragrance to be noticed. I prefer my scent to be my own, and for those who may come in very close for a greeting or other affectionate gesture, so it’s difficult for me to speak to sillage or projection. I never spray on clothing, but if I put a shirt on too quickly after application , I can tell you that I will catch faint, pleasant whiffs of it several days later.

This is the fragrance I reach for anytime I‘m feeling anxious or heavily stressed. Or celebratory. Or indulgent. I have to fight myself to not use it every day. It’s mine, now. You can’t have it. Get your own.