Cassius by Maison Alhambra

The first time I tried it, the opening was unpleasant due to its intense spiciness. As we know, initial sprays can be odd because of the alcohol. After a few hours, the scent changed completely. I suppose it will stabilise once macerated, but I noticed the difference in just two hours. Now, the description: it smells strong and intense, very spicy (at first, it smells of pepper and nutmeg). Once the initial shock wears off, which is impactful (it reminds me of ginger, that mix of sour apple, nutmeg and earthy patchouli), the scent softens but remains present. The keyword is ‘energising’; it makes me want to do things, it has drive and puts me in a good mood. As it dries down, it becomes more unisex (I am a woman, but at first I find it masculine, recalling the opening of Cacharel Pour Homme due to its spiciness). In the end, it becomes delicate, beautiful on both men and women. I wear it during the day without issue: fresh yet earthy, appropriate for winter, spring and autumn. Perhaps it is too much for summer, but I would wear it. Also suitable for daytime, although with that ‘dark’ night-time vibe it is best suited for evening. Depending on the outfit, I think it suits those who tend to dress elegantly better. It is a scent that dresses you, so it encourages a matching style. My rating is 9.5/10; I would just like the vanilla to be more noticeable as it dries down. It is noticeable, but very subtle. Although I think it will strengthen once macerated.

Very similar to Carlisle and quite close to Boss Bottle Absolu…and searching for distant similarities with Red Tobacco, I own all four perfumes, not just ones I’ve heard of. Cassius is a great perfume for the price it has, and it would be even better if it cost more; highly recommended.

I don’t own the PDM Carlisle, but I do have the Cassius. I have tried it twice and it smells very strong; it is not the best. It lasts a long time, 10-14 hours, projecting for about 8 hours. A curious scent, resinous and herbal, surely it is the patchouli; I think it stands out more than the vanilla, nut and tonka bean; it also smells of saffron. The blend is like tobacco with spiced herbs and a touch of licorice. I don’t think everyone will like it because it is a dense aroma with a lot of personality, but I don’t see it as negative. When wearing it, watch the number of sprays to avoid annoying others. I would not recommend it blindly; I think it surprises quite a bit at the beginning.