Fantasist

Fantasist from the British house Contradictions in ILK, released in 2020, is a sweet, smoky gourmand with a floral heart. Gourmand is the word everyone uses for it; about half also find it floral, and a quarter spicy, musky, ambery or citrusy.

Grapefruit and apple give the opening a bright, slightly tart freshness, and pink pepper a gentle, rosy warmth. The heart pairs rose and jasmine, full and warm, with cannabis, which adds a green, herbal, slightly skunky note that gives the composition its unusual edge. Coffee and praline follow with a roasted, nutty, caramelised sweetness, and incense adds a dry, church-like smoke that keeps the sugar in check. Tonka bean and musk round off the base with a soft, almond-like, skin-like warmth.

Fantasist is worn by anyone. Its rich, sweet, slightly smoky character suits autumn and winter and evenings out, and it should appeal to someone who enjoys gourmands with a strange, green twist rather than a straightforward dessert.

Fantasist — unisex fragrance by Contradictions in ILK (released 2020). Notes: Apple, Coffee, Grapefruit, Incense, Jasmine, Musk, Pink Pepper, Praline, Rose, Tonka Bean, cannabis. — Parfica open fragrance database