Year: 2009
Notes: scotch, clary sage, black pepper, cocoa, palmarosa, guaiac wood, Peru balsam
Comment: Eau de Parfum review
Not only is Ore a dusty, dark and sensual ode to cacao, it's also edgy and quintessentially masculine.
Beginning with a boozy opening, the black pepper and cocoa make their presence known almost immediately. The woods enhance the dry bitterness of the cocoa, but it never gets too woody or even smoky. Although the entire composition is barely sweet, only the Peru balsam manages to provide a tender sugary reprieve. By the drydown, all that largely remains is a balsamic chocolate whisper.
Providing great longevity, whilst remaining close to the skin, it offers a unique twist to the theme and should be seen more as an earthy (rather than a confectionary) gourmand. However, there are more superior alternatives to choose from, such as Parfumerie Générale's Aomassaï and Cozé (another niche fragrance house that Josh Lobb is reportedly an avid fan of).
Beginning with a boozy opening, the black pepper and cocoa make their presence known almost immediately. The woods enhance the dry bitterness of the cocoa, but it never gets too woody or even smoky. Although the entire composition is barely sweet, only the Peru balsam manages to provide a tender sugary reprieve. By the drydown, all that largely remains is a balsamic chocolate whisper.
Providing great longevity, whilst remaining close to the skin, it offers a unique twist to the theme and should be seen more as an earthy (rather than a confectionary) gourmand. However, there are more superior alternatives to choose from, such as Parfumerie Générale's Aomassaï and Cozé (another niche fragrance house that Josh Lobb is reportedly an avid fan of).
Year: 2013
Notes: whiskey lactone, oregano, cocoa, vanilla, mahogany, oak, guaiac wood, Peru balsam, Mysore sandalwood
Comment: Parfum extrait review
Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong during the re-interpretation for Ore...
The extrait smells far more musty and woody, the vanilla is almost nondescript and the cocoa (its main selling point) has been toned down several notches. Setting aside the relatively light and pleasant spicy undertow, it's not as endearing as the Eau de Parfum, resulting in a seriously botched-up reformulation.
Although the Eau de Parfum version was discontinued, due to the difficulties in finding all the right components, the parfum extrait is inferior in every way.
The extrait smells far more musty and woody, the vanilla is almost nondescript and the cocoa (its main selling point) has been toned down several notches. Setting aside the relatively light and pleasant spicy undertow, it's not as endearing as the Eau de Parfum, resulting in a seriously botched-up reformulation.
Although the Eau de Parfum version was discontinued, due to the difficulties in finding all the right components, the parfum extrait is inferior in every way.
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.
