5 The Guardian Master

Spice comes first in 5 The Guardian Master, a 2022 fragrance by Philippe Paparella-Paris for the French house Spiritum. Sweet, woody and ambery layers follow, with green and floral touches. It is shared and worn by anyone.

The opening is a full spice cabinet: pepper, pink pepper, red chilli pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and turmeric create a hot, vivid, slightly earthy warmth, with plum adding a dark, juicy sweetness and clary sage an aromatic note. In the heart, jasmine and iris bring a soft floral and powdery touch, while frankincense and opoponax add a resinous, smoky, balsamic glow. The base is deep and enveloping: Bourbon vanilla and tonka bean give creamy sweetness, tobacco and leather a dry, slightly smoky richness, and cedar, sandalwood, vetiver and oakmoss a woody, earthy foundation, finished by labdanum, amber and musk.

It feels warm, ceremonial and protective, true to its name. It suits winter evenings, formal occasions and those who love rich, spicy orientals.

5 The Guardian Master — unisex fragrance by Spiritum (released 2022). Notes: Amber, Bourbon Vanilla, Cardamom, Cedar, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Curcuma (Turmeric), Iris, Jasmine, Labdanum, Leather, Musk, Nutmeg, Oakmoss, Olibanum, Olibanum (Frankincense), Opoponax, Pepper, Pepper Oil, Pimento, Pink Pepper, Plum, Red Chilli Pepper, Sandalwood, Tobacco, Tonka Bean, Turmeric, Vanilla, Vetiver. — Parfica open fragrance database