Above and Beyond

“A13 Above and Beyond Review, smoky saffron leather with a metallic edge”

Above and Beyond by A13 is a leather-led aromatic spicy that leans dark in mood. The note list points you straight at the idea, saffron, pink pepper and incense on top, leather with lavender, cedarwood and iris in the heart, and a base of sandalwood, oud and patchouli. In wear, it often reads even more dramatic than that lineup suggests, with a “forged in fire” feeling that can come off charred, metallic and bitter in the opening.

The first minutes are the most striking. Saffron brings heat and a slightly medicinal, suede-like warmth, while pink pepper gives a bright, crackling lift. Incense is the atmosphere here, a smoky, sacred veil rather than a sweet church incense. Depending on skin and spray count, that smoke plus the spicy top can give a pitch-black impression, like singed resin and cold metal, before the fragrance starts to round itself out.

As it moves into the heart, leather becomes the main texture. It is not a soft, buttery leather, it feels darker and more serious, with a faint animalic hum underneath. Lavender adds an aromatic line through the middle, keeping the leather from feeling flat or muddy, and cedarwood reinforces the dry, woody frame. Iris shows up as a powdery polish, smoothing the composition and giving it a more tailored edge. That powder can also emphasize the metallic accord some people pick up, making the scent feel sharp and intentional rather than cosy.

The base is where Above and Beyond settles into its long-wearing signature. Sandalwood adds creaminess and a gentle wood glow, patchouli brings earthy depth, and the oud adds shadow. It generally wears as a blended dark wood and resin base, more about depth and gravitas than a loud, barnyard oud. The overall effect is regal and spiritual in tone, like smoke caught in leather and wood, with a cool mineral edge still peeking through.

This is a fragrance that tends to do best at night, and in cooler seasons. It can feel strong and expansive, especially early on, and it is easy to overspray if you treat it like a lighter aromatic. If you enjoy bold leather, smoky incense and a slightly metallic, onyx-like aesthetic, it is worth sampling on skin and giving it time, because the development is part of the point. If you prefer sweeter ambers, clean suede leathers, or soft easygoing woods, it may feel too stern.

Value will depend on how much you enjoy this specific dark, smoky leather profile. For the right wearer it can feel distinctive and high-impact, the kind of scent you reach for when you want something with seriousness and intention. For everyone else, it is the sort of fragrance that rewards a sample first and a careful spray count.