While a name like Mortel could be off putting, I’m surprised by how much I like this fragrance by Trudon. There is frankincense and myrrh at the heart but top notes of black pepper and pimento. I don’t know if I have ever liked peppery notes in a fragrance the way that I like these here. They add something I don’t have the vocabulary to describe. It’s sharp, slightly “clean.” Those powerhouse notes are strong initially, but they die down after some hours of wear. Instead of being of overwhelming, this becomes something quite wearable. And I want to emphasize hours of wear.
I sprayed this on in the morning, went to work, and then to the gym at 5 PM. I could still the fragrance on me at that point. Luckily, it was not strong enough to project as I warmed up nor irritate me, nor likely the other gymgoers.
As I think about when to wear this, I can’t help but think of high holy days, where one might blend in with smell of incense wafting in the air. But truthfully, this seems like the fragrance for fragrance lovers who want a different way to smell like comfort. The brand, however, describes this as a sensual and erotic scent. That’s a strong contrast between our two takes. But perhaps, we are on the same line. The ambery notes of benzoin and cistus draw you closer. For what purposes is up to you.
Rather than recalling thoughts of death, Mortel calls toward a simpler, reflective life. If you are into fragrances outside of the ordinary and yet comfortingly familiar, this might be one for you to try.
$260 for 100 mL
Notes:
Top: Pimento, black pepper
Heart: Somalian frankincense, Mystikal
Base: Benzoin Resin, pure cistus, myrrh
Learn something new: This fragrance includes a note called mystikal. If you search that spelling, you will be inundated results about the rapper. However, the fragrance ingredient mystikal was developed in 2009 by Givuadan. In describing the note, they write: Mystikal® is a resinous, woody note with ambery nuances that enhances Chypres and woody compositions at extremely low concentrations.
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