Carambolage

I was able to test Carambolage a few months ago in Berlin, and now I at least needed a decant—partly to show it to friends, but also because this fragrance wouldn't let me go. The background is macabre, and so is the scent. Carambolage is a very metallic-smoky fragrance. Burnt cables and tires meet metallic notes, which feel cold thanks to juniper. Styrax and leather give the impression that the car's leather seats have already burned out. Pungent rhubarb rounds it all off. The green touch of the rhubarb almost feels like the churned-up grass of the roadside ditch that was supposed to be the end of the ride. Can you wear this fragrance? Definitely. Despite all that, it remains wearable, and there are definitely people who can rock a scent like this. Should you test this fragrance? 100%! You have to experience this fragrance for yourself to see what perfumery is capable of.

Carambolage may be one of the most successful fragrance concepts I have ever smelled, but also one of the fragrances I would least want to wear. To me, it smells like burnt tyres, hot machinery, charcoal, smoke and dirty clothes after being exposed to a fire. It genuinely creates the atmosphere of an accident or an industrial scene, which is honestly impressive. The name could hardly be more appropriate. But as a perfume, I find it extremely unpleasant. I can appreciate the creativity and the technical achievement, and I am glad I experienced it once, but I never want to smell like this. For me, this is much more an olfactory artwork or a piece of scenery than something wearable.

It smells stale and almost doesn't change at all, maybe the start is slightly different, then it's just the smell of a dusty road and something dangerous, kind of like it describes; it's more of a concept than a perfume - scenery. But I absolutely love it and I would definitely buy it one day soon. As a note to others - you can try testing it but no satisfaction guaranteed - also it stays rather close to the skin (as I personally feel). It smells more like a metal crushing factory or an old abandoned one somewhere distant. Definitely more masculine. P.S. I also think it's suitable for any season because it's neutral but preferably autumn if you want to catch the vibe. P.P.S I had very high expectations of this fragrance and it turned out even better for me.