Year: 2011
Notes: raspberry leaf, thorns, fir balsam, magnolia, marigold, honey, suede, sweet birch
Slumberhouse is a US independent niche house, based on Portland, Oregon, where most of its fragrances are constructed around syrupy, resinous, balsamic and fruity accords.
Most of the compositions are so dense and full-bodied, one is left to conclude that many of them aspire to the style of Christopher Sheldrake's work for Serge Lutens (pre-2007). But, in contrast, the Slumberhouse offerings lack any finesse – often generating crass, ill-conceived and under-developed results. Based on this, one does wonder what all the fuss is about.
With a lot of the praise strangely coming from the US and Canada, where many of its natives tend to complain about 'strong' fragrances and other people overspraying, is this merely a case of drumming up support for 'one of their own'? It's quite an intriguing thought but one digresses.
As for Sana, it practically comes across as a dupe for Serge Lutens' Chypre Rouge, but less smoky and more honey sweet. One would say it's both the raspberry leaf and fir balsam that primarily contribute towards such a comparison. But it's not as dark as some have purported it to be (and there's a huge difference between 'dark' and 'dense'). With a birch tar base, it soon mellows out with a leathery sweetness.
With moderate sillage and longevity, and based on one's experience with this house, one can confidently state the following: don't believe the hype.
Most of the compositions are so dense and full-bodied, one is left to conclude that many of them aspire to the style of Christopher Sheldrake's work for Serge Lutens (pre-2007). But, in contrast, the Slumberhouse offerings lack any finesse – often generating crass, ill-conceived and under-developed results. Based on this, one does wonder what all the fuss is about.
With a lot of the praise strangely coming from the US and Canada, where many of its natives tend to complain about 'strong' fragrances and other people overspraying, is this merely a case of drumming up support for 'one of their own'? It's quite an intriguing thought but one digresses.
As for Sana, it practically comes across as a dupe for Serge Lutens' Chypre Rouge, but less smoky and more honey sweet. One would say it's both the raspberry leaf and fir balsam that primarily contribute towards such a comparison. But it's not as dark as some have purported it to be (and there's a huge difference between 'dark' and 'dense'). With a birch tar base, it soon mellows out with a leathery sweetness.
With moderate sillage and longevity, and based on one's experience with this house, one can confidently state the following: don't believe the hype.
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.
