Anther
If you enjoy vintage leather jackets, antique wooden desks, and fragrances with genuine backbone, Anther is tailored for your taste. Criminal Elements designed this eau de parfum for adventurous wearers who want something far more distinctive than generic department store colognes. The fragrance balances brisk citrus peel against dusty cacao, rich nutmeg, and deeply grounded oakmoss, drying down into an intimate musky glow. It feels confident, grounded, and slightly mysterious, making it an excellent companion for quiet evening dates, late night drinks at a cozy neighborhood pub, or relaxed weekend outings in brisk sweater weather.
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Performance Metrics
29 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 7 to 9 hours of continuous longevity on skin, with faint traces lingering beyond 14 hours on fabric and wool collars. Projection radiates moderately at two to three feet for the first two hours before receding into an intimate one-foot personal scent bubble for the remainder of the dry-down.
Notes Pyramid
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Anther opens with a crisp, dry pop of bitter orange and neroli before shifting into a rich heart of powdery cacao and supple suede. The foundation anchors on earthy oakmoss, salty ambergris, and a warm civet perfume note, creating a cozy aroma reminiscent of dark unsweetened chocolate shavings resting inside a vintage leather pocketbook.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe fragrance transitions seamlessly from a brisk citrus-spice opening into a dusty, dry cacao and leather heart. As body heat activates the base, earthy oakmoss and musky animalic tones rise up, wrapping the cocoa-dusted suede in an antique, mossy warmth that feels lived-in and deeply soothing on bare skin.
Community Data
209 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in winter and fall. The vote picture leans most toward night. It makes the most sense for date nights and casual wear.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Distinctive blend of bitter cacao powder with soft, supple suede.
Natural oakmoss base brings genuine vintage chypre character.
Solid 7 to 9 hour longevity on skin through cold weather.
Intimate projection makes it ideal for close-range date nights.
Zesty bitter orange opening prevents the base from feeling too heavy.
Truly unisex appeal that smells flattering on anyone.
Well-behaved civet adds warmth without barnyard funk.
Cozy, comforting scent bubble during autumn and winter months.
Artisan Australian blending offers unique indie charm.
Dry, unsweetened profile avoids sugary designer cliches.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Musky civet presence may scare off lovers of clean aquatic scents.
Skin projection becomes quiet after two to three hours.
Unsweetened cacao will disappoint those expecting sweet gourmands.
Too heavy and dense for warm, humid summer afternoons.
Opening citrus notes fade quickly within twenty to thirty minutes.
Artisan bottle availability can be limited outside specialty stockists.
Not recommended as an uninformed blind buy for perfume newcomers.
Lacks the massive projection needed for loud clubbing environments.
Higher price per bottle compared to mass-market designer releases.
Requires cooler weather to experience the full accord transition.
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Criminal Elements Anther Review: Deep Suede and Earthy Musky Chypre”
Spraying Anther immediately delivers a tart, brisk wake-up call of bitter orange peel and crisp neroli. Rather than smelling like sugary breakfast juice, the citrus here is dry, aromatic, and slightly pithy, lifted by a faint dusting of grated nutmeg. Within ten minutes, this sharp daylight freshness begins to soften, hinting at the darker, richer textures waiting just below the surface.
As the initial citrus eases off, the heart reveals a gorgeous blend of velvety suede and unsweetened cacao. It does not smell like milk chocolate or sweet candy; instead, think of raw cocoa powder rubbed into worn leather jacket sleeves. Earthy patchouli emerges alongside the cacao, giving the mid-phase an earthy, damp soil grounding that feels remarkably comforting and tactile.
The real magic of Anther unfolds as the base notes warm up on your skin. Corey Newcombe introduces a distinct civet perfume note that brings genuine animalic warmth without turning rancid or sour. Combined with salty ambergris and deep forest oakmoss, the composition locks into a classic chypre rhythm. It gives you the plush, lived-in feel of a classic black suede perfume while keeping a contemporary, artisanal edge.
In terms of wearability, Anther proves surprisingly approachable. You get a solid 7 to 9 hours of longevity on skin, extending well past 12 hours on wool coats and scarves. The projection starts with a polite two-foot radius for the first two hours before settling into an intimate, warm bubble. It thrives in crisp fall weather and freezing winter evenings, where cooler temperatures allow the deeper musky notes to shine without overwhelming the wearer.
This is fundamentally a unisex fragrance made for adventurous noses who appreciate vintage structures and indie perfume craftsmanship. If your collection already leans toward leather, tobacco, or retro mossy chypres, Anther will fit right into your rotation. Beginners raised exclusively on sweet vanilla gourmands or fresh aquatic colognes might find the earthy oakmoss and animalic civet surprising, but patient wearers will appreciate its nuanced balance.
Anther represents one of the most rewarding creations from Criminal Elements. It bridges the gap between classic chypre traditions and modern indie warmth, delivering cozy cacao and tactile suede wrapped in a smooth, musky embrace. If you are hunting for an intimate cold-weather signature that smells unlike anything on commercial department store shelves, grab a sample vial and spend a quiet evening getting to know it.
FAQs
What does the opening of Anther smell like when first sprayed?+
Anther opens with a crisp, aromatic burst of bitter orange and green neroli, dusted with freshly grated nutmeg. The initial spray smells tart, invigorating, and dry rather than sugary or sweet. This citrus brightness lasts for roughly twenty to thirty minutes before gradually receding to make way for the richer heart accords.
How does Anther transition from its heart into the dry-down?+
As the citrus evaporates, the fragrance transitions into a heart of velvety suede and dry, unsweetened cacao powder paired with patchouli. Over the next several hours, the scent deepens into a warm base of earthy oakmoss, salty ambergris, and musky civet, softening into a comforting, lived-in skin scent that lasts for hours.
How long does Criminal Elements Anther last on skin and clothes?+
On bare skin, Anther consistently delivers 7 to 9 hours of longevity, staying easily detectable throughout a standard workday. When applied to clothing, scarves, or wool jackets, the heavier base fixatives like oakmoss, patchouli, and suede linger for well over 14 to 24 hours until the fabric is washed.
What is the projection radius and sillage of Anther?+
During the first two hours of wear, Anther projects moderately, creating a scent bubble that extends approximately two to three feet outward. As the heart notes fade into the base, the projection pulls closer, creating an intimate personal trail that people only detect when stepping within arm's reach of you.
Which season and temperature range best suit Anther?+
Anther performs best during cool fall days and cold winter nights, ideally in temperatures between 35 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Crisp air helps temper the rich animalic civet and cocoa accords, allowing the earthy chypre structure to project with clarity without becoming cloying or heavy.
Is Anther suitable for office wear or strictly for evenings?+
Anther works best for casual weekend wear, evening dates, and relaxed social gatherings. While a single light spray can pass in a casual workplace, its musky civet and earthy oakmoss base may feel a bit too dark and unconventional for conservative, fragrance-free corporate offices.
Does Criminal Elements Anther lean masculine or feminine?+
Anther is a true unisex fragrance that balances elements from across the spectrum. The zesty bitter orange and soft cacao appeal equally to all wearers, while the dry suede, earthy patchouli, and animalic musk create a balanced, gender-neutral profile that smells confident on both men and women.
How does Anther compare to Francesca Bianchi The Black Knight?+
While both fragrances explore dark leather and mossy vintage textures, The Black Knight is significantly smokier, waxier, and drier with heavy birch tar. Anther is softer, rounder, and noticeably more comforting thanks to its opening bitter orange splash and powdery dark cacao heart.
What concentration is Anther and does it offer good value?+
Anther is formulated as an Eau de Parfum, offering concentrated oil content that ensures steady 8-hour longevity. Considering the high proportion of premium natural materials like oakmoss, patchouli, and artisanal musk accords, it provides strong value for indie fragrance collectors seeking distinct craftsmanship.
Which fragrances or note families layer well with Anther?+
Anther layers wonderfully with pure vanilla or benzoin-heavy amber scents, which soften the animalic civet and emphasize the chocolate cacao facets. It also pairs cleanly with dry woody cedarwood fragrances or simple bergamot colognes to extend its opening citrus zest into the warmer midday hours.
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Wearers who appreciate Anther should explore Francesca Bianchi The Black Knight for a smokier, darker leather profile, or Papillon Artisan Perfumes Salome for a much heavier vintage floral animalic punch. If you want a sweeter, more ambery take on spiced citrus and leather, Serge Lutens Cuir Mauresque provides an adjacent warmth without Anther's bitter cacao dryness.
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