Zek by Necalli

Disappointment in 3, 2, 1… The notes put me off, so I went for a decant. But as always, we confirm a reality: don’t buy anything solely based on the notes. What it smells like later can be very different. Not because it smells like something else, but because one thing is the words on paper and another is the chemistry in your brain. To me, this smells of an awful lot of honey; don’t ask me why. Perhaps it’s the blend of cinnamon, cognac and citrus, but it gives me that little acidic or vinegary note of honey that always puts me off. And the worst part is that it’s TOO present in this fragrance. Both in the opening and the dry down. It bothers me immensely and doesn’t let me enjoy the rest that lies behind that veil. What else? A sweet, woody tobacco with a musk that makes it very airy and light. What a pity, because if it weren’t for that honeyed note, I think I’d love it. But… it’s a resounding no for me.

Zek seems to me a marvel of a perfume. The first thing to say is that it does NOT resemble Angels Share; it has traits of Dior’s Tobacolor, but in a much more versatile and refined way. It’s a musky tobacco where the bergamot in the opening gives only a certain fleeting freshness and shine, without being perceived primarily. Immediately the sweet tobacco appears, fusing with the cinnamon to make it almost talcum-like due to the musk base, which carries the cinnamon touches as if they were in powder. The cognac makes the perfume feel mature, sober and elegant, just like the description speaks of resilience and solitude in cold times, all wrapped in the musk base which for me is the main ingredient and stands above all the notes. Everything synchronises perfectly: the sweetness, the talcum facet, a spiced note from the cinnamon and the warmth that wraps everything. The musk handles it marvellously. The resemblance to Tobacolor is undeniable, but they are different perfumes; it’s neither an inspiration nor a dupe. Tobacolor is a honeyed tobacco with a smoky base, while this is a sweet, musky and alcoholic perfume with a certain dark note. I feel that the quality of ingredients can surpass that of Dior, let alone Angels Share which falls outside this comparison because they are different. For me, this is one of the most artistic tobacco scents my nose has been able to smell. I sense a hint of green in the background, like a trace of hay or verdure, which from another point of view turns the perfume on its head and makes it solid and distinct. Forget about longevity and trail, it’s a perfume extract, that’s enough for me. Bravo Necalli, you’ve nailed it with this perfume, for me it’s a 10.