Year: 2009
Notes: Madagascan laurel, aniseed, frankincense, oud, styrax, Mysore sandalwood
Comment: Eau de Parfum review
Slumberhouse's founder, Josh Lobb, has publicly proclaimed that his works should be considered "outside the mainstream", and has also admitted preferring to use absolutes and disliking essential oils.
However, anyone experienced enough will know that absolutes aren't necessarily superior. Furthermore, such a stance greatly narrows down a perfumer's palate, as many components are only available in essential oil form. So, one is surprised to learn of Vikt, consisting of oud (or agarwood) oil... which is an essential oil.
From all the Slumberhouse releases, the closest point of comparison would be Norne. Although both possess green and resinous aspects, Norne is darker, denser and more coniferous, while Vikt is woodier, drier and more spacious. Vikt also exudes an aromatic flair, with some laurel and aniseed intermingling with a vegetal-resinous underscore. As for the oud, it's fresh but also verdantly fruity.
There's hardly any evidence of smoke or frankincense, and it's certainly not the dark woody animal as regularly purported. However, it's better composed than most of the offerings from this house, with a drydown that's just as satisfying as the opening. By Slumberhouse's standards, that in itself is a rare feat.
With moderate sillage and excellent tenacity of at least 12 hours, although Vikt comes across as another oud bandwagon jumper, it eschews the typical floral and amber combinations that other houses frantically exploit. It also smells natural and should be considered as a quality benchmark for future Slumberhouse releases.
Finally, there's something to write home about.
However, anyone experienced enough will know that absolutes aren't necessarily superior. Furthermore, such a stance greatly narrows down a perfumer's palate, as many components are only available in essential oil form. So, one is surprised to learn of Vikt, consisting of oud (or agarwood) oil... which is an essential oil.
From all the Slumberhouse releases, the closest point of comparison would be Norne. Although both possess green and resinous aspects, Norne is darker, denser and more coniferous, while Vikt is woodier, drier and more spacious. Vikt also exudes an aromatic flair, with some laurel and aniseed intermingling with a vegetal-resinous underscore. As for the oud, it's fresh but also verdantly fruity.
There's hardly any evidence of smoke or frankincense, and it's certainly not the dark woody animal as regularly purported. However, it's better composed than most of the offerings from this house, with a drydown that's just as satisfying as the opening. By Slumberhouse's standards, that in itself is a rare feat.
With moderate sillage and excellent tenacity of at least 12 hours, although Vikt comes across as another oud bandwagon jumper, it eschews the typical floral and amber combinations that other houses frantically exploit. It also smells natural and should be considered as a quality benchmark for future Slumberhouse releases.
Finally, there's something to write home about.
Disclaimer: Since some Slumberhouse releases are always being 'improved', and with various formulations of the same fragrance in existence, this review is based on the sample(s) received. Due to the lack of information about these reformulations, one is unable to confirm the actual formulation(s) that has/have been reviewed. As a result, your experience of this fragrance may greatly differ. Understandably, it's all very confusing.
