Roja Dove - Enigma pour Homme

[hedonist222]

Roja Dove - Enigma pour Homme (edp and extrait)

(I gave the parfum extrait a thorough wearing)
It starts out with lots of ginger thats softened by cognac, musk & benzoin.

Heliotrope & cardamom are still lurking.

A while into it and all the perky notes have now evaporated and what's left are somber notes like tobacco, benzoin Ambergris,.

These set the stage for a mellow floral accord.

Ginger remains prominent but softens as the perfume develops.

It's a very good perfume. Completely unimposing, very smooth. Regal.

Has anyone tried it yet?

I know Mick_trick and a few others have.

“The mystery of the name drove me to create a fragrance that seems to be all things to all people, but itself is certain and assured, whilst creating ambiguity in others”. Roja Dove

TOP: Bergamot
HEART: Geranium, Heliotrope, Jasmine, Neroli, Rose
BASE: Ambergris, Benzoin, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cognac, Ginger, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tobacco, Vanilla

 

[rouj]

I've sampled it in the store several times, never impressed enough to wear it out


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[hednic]

From your description Hedonist, sounds very interesting. (572)

 

[remik]

I have and I like it. I think you summed it up correctly in that one word: regal.

Fetish is very much in the same rich and regal playing field.

I also have Diaghilev and this one is even more opulent. You really need a special occasion and get dressed for an affair with this one, it's very far removed from casual wear and common scents. An uncompromising take on perfumery as we know it.

 

[MiamiRobbie]

Love the EDP Homme line including this one. I think Danger is my favorite at the moment.

 

[gtsb]

I got in on a split of the edp and I think it is absolutely outstanding... I am deeply contemplating a purchase of the extrait (largely because my wife loves it as well, and she is difficult to please), but it is rather expensive, to say the least. I have also not yet sampled the extrait.

For those of you who have tried both edp and the extrait, are the differences so extreme that it would be worth going for the extrait over the edp (I think for example that fetish extrait is way better than the edp and therefore worth the price)?

 

[Mick_Trick]

Great impressions Hedonist, must be the ginger top notes I'm a little unsure of, but I'm head over heels for the drydown. Great stuff indeed. (Referring to the Parfum, not tried the EdP)

 

[HORNS]

These are some complicated concoctions, and considering the price of them it is going to take some time for me to inevitably purchase one of his creations, because it's going to require some contemplation to ultimately make a decision on them. They are beautiful, though, and two years ago I would not be in the position to smell them and appreciate what they are about.

 

[litworth]

Does anyone know where I can get samples of his fragrances? I see surrender to chance has some of them, but I am most interested in Enigma pour homme which they do not have.

 

[hedonist222]

I got in on a split of the edp and I think it is absolutely outstanding... I am deeply contemplating a purchase of the extrait (largely because my wife loves it as well, and she is difficult to please), but it is rather expensive, to say the least. I have also not yet sampled the extrait.

For those of you who have tried both edp and the extrait, are the differences so extreme that it would be worth going for the extrait over the edp (I think for example that fetish extrait is way better than the edp and therefore worth the price)?

As you rightly said. I liked Fetish edp but did not find it bottle worthy. But Fetish extrait is a whole other concept really, which is not only FBW, its backup worthy as well.

I smelled the edp from a strip only. Nothing to add.

Great impressions Hedonist, must be the ginger top notes I'm a little unsure of, but I'm head over heels for the drydown. Great stuff indeed. (Referring to the Parfum, not tried the EdP)

Thanks Mick.
The dry down is indeed fantastic.
I too wasn't very keen on the ginger at the top. Nice but felt a bit out of place.
I'd have preferred something less exotic to match the general motif of the perfume.

These are some complicated concoctions, and considering the price of them it is going to take some time for me to inevitably purchase one of his creations, because it's going to require some contemplation to ultimately make a decision on them. They are beautiful, though, and two years ago I would not be in the position to smell them and appreciate what they are about.

Roja's line is very expansive but unfortunately most of them are just ok.
I find the ladies' ones to be generally better. But as a prerequisite, you need to enjoy feminine perfumes.

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

Sounds very much worth sampling. I loved Diaghilev, but it's not something I want to wear personally - it's not me. This sounds more my style!

 

[1adam12]

I got Diaghilev from a split, but wish I could find samples of the rest of the pour Homme line. Surrender to Chance only has Fetish.

 

[JON RODGERS]

It's a very good perfume. Completely unimposing, very smooth. Regal.

Perfect description !. My favourite release of 2013 so far and it will take something special to knock it off it's perch. The ginger is strong initially but diminishes in potency and melds into a drydown that is sooooo rich and opulent.

I dropped the cash in Harrods without hesitation.

No regrets :thumbsup:

 

[hedonist222]

Perfect description !. My favourite release of 2013 so far and it will take something special to knock it off it's perch. The ginger is strong initially but diminishes in potency and melds into a drydown that is sooooo rich and opulent.

I dropped the cash in Harrods without hesitation.

No regrets :thumbsup:

Yes I remember your high praise for it.
Made me want to try it even more Jon.

I'm

 

[Kaern]

It's on my list. Very nice

 

[HORNS]

So, in the U.S. it is named Creation E because of a copyright issue.

Now, take this with a grain of salt because I was overwhelmed that day I was in Osswald (I had only 45 minutes before closing to explore this, MDCI, and Parfumerie Generale - FUUUUUU!!!!!!) but Enigma kept reminding me of something, and I realized that it was similar in feel to 34 Boulevard St. Germain.

 

[Kaern]

So, in the U.S. it is named Creation E because of a copyright issue.

Now, take this with a grain of salt because I was overwhelmed that day I was in Osswald (I had only 45 minutes before closing to explore this, MDCI, and Parfumerie Generale - FUUUUUU!!!!!!) but Enigma kept reminding me of something, and I realized that it was similar in feel to 34 Boulevard St. Germain.

Hmmm -- maybe -- 34 is a fruity, spicy floral --- no ginger involved though

 

[HORNS]

Hmmm -- maybe -- 34 is a fruity, spicy floral --- no ginger involved though

My opinion is definitely questionable because I also never detect ginger in fragrances. I eat it all the time but the smell (is it like ginger ale?) in fragrances to evade me.

 

[iluvscent]

Love the EDP Homme line including this one. I think Danger is my favorite at the moment.

I agree. Danger Pour Homme is unbelievably sophisticated and sexy! Reminds me a bit of Patou pour Homme Prive.

 

[gtsb]

I actually like the ginger in the opening of the edp--it really makes the scent remarkable, analogous to the function (not the scent) of the clove note in Musc Ravageur.

A lot of people seem to criticize Roja Dove's scents for not being original compositions (instead being refinements of pre-existing creations--which by the way doesn't bother me at all, if he is basing his work on concepts borrowed from great perfumes but upping the quality, isn't that a good thing?), but this one strikes me as very distinctive.

 

[taint it sweet]

I recently got this and I'm enjoying it. I can see the comparisons to Tobacco Vanille, but I prefer this because it doesn't have a heavy vanilla note. I want to wear this, but I agree that it doesn't seem overly casual, so I'm probably going to have to start making my activities a little fancier..

 

[Jack Hunter]

Yes it is very nice like a refined rich mans tobacco vanilla without the crazy projection.

 

[seekritdude]

Finally got around to trying this. For what its worth it was a very small sample since even that was expensive, so I didnt get to dose myself in this to really take it in by any means. But was just ok for me. I didnt find it to similar to TV personally. Smelled more like tabac rogue to me. Now I know tabac rogue smells similar to TV but take that for what its worth. I didnt get a lot of tobacco or cognac either off hand. If anything I guess unlike other people I got a lot of the neroli, I was personally surprised by how sorta.. fresh/clean/creamy sorta smelling it was. Opening was the best part after that, well I actually kinda felt bored and got tired of wearing it. Was hoping maybe it would turn into something better, more interesting.

Just ok for me, and granted I dont care for neroli in the first place so maybe thats why. Id like to try it for real someday to give it a good wearing but for the time being maybe its good I didnt love it. Because even if I did, it would be hard to justify its ridiculous price.

 

[moltening]

I've been wearing the parfum a couple of times these past few days and really enjoy it.

On skin, I get a vanillic spicy-boozy tobacco-benzoin concoction with a woody/peppery veil. It is at the same time warm, creamy, and fresh. On the scale of booziness, I'd put it at around 6, with the cognac note being present, but not overwhelming as in Frapin 1697 or L'artisan Vanille Absolument, so no, you will not smell like a drunkard wearing this. It also gets muskier as the scent dries down. The ginger note at the top gives it a slight fizz with florals like neroli and jasmine floating around, which lasts for quite a while. There is a hint of rosiness in the floral accord, but it is predominantly white florals. The drydown is a woody vanillic sweetness that can be considered as either pepper + "pipe tobacco," or ISO E + Vanilla. Longevity is very good, lasts from early morning till late night, with a hint of the drydown still present after a shower.

Regal, but not too commanding or overbearing. Quite elegant. Despite criticisms about his line, I think Enigma pour Homme is worth investigating for people looking for something like this.

 

[Trebor]

Because even if I did, it would be hard to justify its ridiculous price.

Btw, Roja Dove has a penchant for wearing really extravagant clothes... :wink:

 

[PalmBeach]

Btw, Roja Dove has a penchant for wearing really extravagant clothes... :wink:

LOL. That's an understatement.

 

[Franco65]

Btw, Roja Dove has a penchant for wearing really extravagant clothes... :wink:

+1 spot on!

 

[NeoXerxes]

Just smelled the perfume extrait of this on a friend during a night out. He didn't tell me what he was wearing beforehand, but when I caught a whiff when he walked in the door, I was floored and left speechless by its smoothness and beauty.

Few perfumes have that effect, but this is apparently one of them. Absolutely magnificent juice, and a head turner for sure.

 

[gtsb]

Just smelled the perfume extrait of this on a friend during a night out.

Wow who do you hang out with? The only time I have ever smelled anything on a friend of mine it was Boss bottled!

 

[NeoXerxes]

Wow who do you hang out with? The only time I have ever smelled anything on a friend of mine it was Boss bottled!

Erm... I'm embarrassed to say that I may have gotten a few friends into this hobby :rolleyesold:.

 

[gtsb]

Erm... I'm embarrassed to say that I may have gotten a few friends into this hobby :rolleyesold:.

Well done! :thumbsup:

 

[NeoXerxes]

Well done! :thumbsup:

Alas, it is how I roll.

 

[Duke Hunt]

Which is the superior scent between Enigma Parfum and Fetish Parfum?

 

[NeoXerxes]

Which is the superior scent between Enigma Parfum and Fetish Parfum?

That's a very tough question to answer. Fetish is amazing but it doesn't really work on me - it is crazy masculine. It's beautiful, but a little too ashy and leathery for my taste. On the other hand, Enigma is intoxicating, a beautiful mix of cognac and vanillic tobacco. For you it might be different, but I prefer Enigma.

All things considered, my favorite so far seems to be Danger, followed closely by Enigma.

 

[gtsb]

Which is the superior scent between Enigma Parfum and Fetish Parfum?

They are really so different (different genres) so it doesn't make sense to talk about a "superior" scent in this case, I think. However, I can say that between the two, I prefer Fetish parfum (pour homme), it begins with a somewhat surprising citrus top (yes, citrus!) before going into one of the most smooth leather / vanilla / castoreum / floral bouquet, really wonderful. Enigma is great as well but is a little more conventional and sweeter. In this case, as NeoXerxes says, it is really all about personal preference and what genre you are looking for (leather-floral chypre vs. oriental).

If I were pressed and had to make a judgment, I would say Fetish parfum is the superior scent.

 

[Sasuke]

I finally got to try Enigma pour Homme Extrait the other day. I've been wearing it for two days now and at first was quite confused. I expected it to be more like Tobacco Vanille, as some people mentioned. But in truth the vanilla is not nearly as intense in Enigma as it is in Tobacco Vanille. Enigma is spicy & rich, full of elegance and warmth without being gourmand. After the initial burst of inviting spices, the tobacco gets quite strong. In this phase it does remind me of Tom Ford, but where Tobacco Vanille is more of a spicy gourmand vanilla, Enigma is all about the deep aroma of tobacco and cognac. Now that I spent some time wearing it, I really do want a bottle of the Extrait!

 

[NeoXerxes]

I finally got to try Enigma pour Homme Extrait the other day. I've been wearing it for two days now and at first was quite confused. I expected it to be more like Tobacco Vanille, as some people mentioned. But in truth the vanilla is not nearly as intense in Enigma as it is in Tobacco Vanille. Enigma is spicy & rich, full of elegance and warmth without being gourmand. After the initial burst of inviting spices, the tobacco gets quite strong. In this phase it does remind me of Tom Ford, but where Tobacco Vanille is more of a spicy gourmand vanilla, Enigma is all about the deep aroma of tobacco and cognac. Now that I spent some time wearing it, I really do want a bottle of the Extrait!

It is only slightly comparable to Tobacco Vanille, but I find them similar enough (in terms of occasion) that owning both would be redundant. And though I am a big fan of the Tom Ford Private Blend, I find Enigma vastly superior to TV.

 

[trucupey20]

Besides Surrender and his own web page who else carry samples of this super expensive fragances I only so far got a little sample of Amber Oud very nice and soft but longevity not that big for a high scale tag price fragance I hearing talk about Danger, Enigma but from this house wich are the ones that really has a strong longevity and projection , the reason I ask is because I been testing Amber Oud which is very nice and soft I put on at the same time that put Montale Oriente Extreme 3 hours ago guest what Montale still alive and kicking, and Roja Amber Oud is about to completely disappear from my skin so this is interesting it my be a way better Amber out there for less money just my two cents any comment very much welcome maybe I missing something here Thanks to all.

 

[NeoXerxes]

Besides Surrender and his own web page who else carry samples of this super expensive fragances I only so far got a little sample of Amber Oud very nice and soft but longevity not that big for a high scale tag price fragance I hearing talk about Danger, Enigma but from this house wich are the ones that really has a strong longevity and projection , the reason I ask is because I been testing Amber Oud which is very nice and soft I put on at the same time that put Montale Oriente Extreme 3 hours ago guest what Montale still alive and kicking, and Roja Amber Oud is about to completely disappear from my skin so this is interesting it my be a way better Amber out there for less money just my two cents any comment very much welcome maybe I missing something here Thanks to all.

I highly recommend purchasing a sample from Osswald in NYC. The samples are $9 each, but they give you 1 ml in a very high quality sprayer. Also you can purchase the full bottles there and their service is excellent.

As for your questions on performance and quality, I'd recommend sampling Enigma Pour Homme, Danger Pour Homme, and Fetish Pour Homme, all in extrait concentration. These are fantastic scents that seem to last forever on my skin, with excellent performance and sillage. All should perform better than the Roja's Aouds, which are beautiful but rather fleeting comparatively. Out of the three, Danger is my personal favorite, followed very closely by Enigma, and then Fetish. Fetish is definitely the most powerful though.

 

[ebear]

I just tried a sample of this (edp) and was quite... underwhelmed. I'm getting a cola/root beer vibe - sticky sweet, with nothing exciting to counterbalance it.

I'm absolutely crazy about Fetish (extrait), but it looks like Enigma is a total miss for me. (Actually, a very good thing, financially speaking.)