D.S. & Durga I Don't Know What

I've heard a lot about this one but never felt particularly interested enough to seek it out. Luckily, I got this one as a gift with purchase, so I finally get to smell it!

I Don't Know What is a skin scent, I suppose, but it's different from any of the ones I've smelled. There is no synthetic sweetness here, just glowing, warm and dry woodiness that evokes pepper on the opening. This smells so much like the inside of my pencil bag in grade school that was full of colored pencils - that mild, woody pencil shaving aroma concentrated in one place. The bergamot adds a subtle brightening effect, and the vetiver here is very dry, almost like straw.

Civet notes always scare me a bit, but this one isn't fecal on me thankfully. It gives the composition depth and muskiness and smells like warm cat fur.

In the dry down, the intense woodiness subsides and is replaced by soap and something acidic. I think I'm getting pickle juice from the sandalwood...This is now strong, musky, perfumey pickle juice and I'm sad.

Projection is really strong for using 2 sprays. It is a bit much for me, actually! Projects strongly for 3-4 hours. Longevity is good. Stays on skin at least 8 hours.

Overall, it's a soothing and meditative scent, though a bit headache inducing with how strong it is. Unfortunately, it does turn pickly on me, but that is just a personal skin chemistry thing. I think it's ok overall, but I won't repurchase when I'm done with my sample. 5/10 rating.