Favourite

“John Ashwood Favourite Review: Smoky Woods And Sweet Jammy Berries”

The first spray comes out wet and dense. Do not shove your nose against your wrist immediately. A sharp blast of perfumer solvent and alcohol pricks the nostrils for roughly ninety seconds before the fragrance finds its footing. Once that initial fog clears, a rush of dark raspberry and gooey caramel takes over. It smells surprisingly deep, almost like Concord grape syrup stewing in a copper pot. Curling through that sweetness is a thin, dry ribbon of frankincense. The smoke prevents the berries from turning into cheap candy. It feels bold, thick, and distinctly decadent from the start.

Thirty minutes in, the sugary volume dials back. Australian sandalwood emerges. Earthy patchouli rises from underneath, smelling like damp potting soil mixed with dark cocoa shavings. Clean vetiver and chopped dry cedar chips lend structural spine, keeping the caramel from turning sticky or suffocating. Anyone searching for a famous sandalwood perfume will appreciate how the creamy wood facets tame the wild opening. The tart raspberry does not vanish. Instead, it clings to the edges like a glossy fruit glaze over raw, polished lumber.

Body chemistry alters this scent noticeably. On warmer pulse points, the rich vanilla and musk base warms up early, projecting a powdery, sweet cloud. Colder skin keeps the smoky vetiver and dry incense sharper for hours. The perfume leaves an oily sheen on the forearm, a clear sign of concentrated fixatives. If you spray this on white clothing, be careful. The tinted resins can leave subtle marks on silk or pale linen. Throughout its life, the blend pivots between warm balsamic sweetness and earthy woods, never settling into flat chemical boredom.

Performance is where this bottle shines. Three sprays are plenty. On bare skin, Favourite easily clocks nine to eleven hours of continuous wear. The first two hours project roughly three feet, creating a distinct aura that people will notice in an elevator. By hour five, it retreats closer to the body, hovering about six inches above the collar. Cold autumn winds and crisp winter nights are its natural territory. Freezing air sharpens the sweet fruit and warms up the cozy base notes, whereas sweltering summer humidity makes the caramel feel heavy and suffocating.

This scent splits the difference between genders with ease. It functions equally well as a sandalwood perfume for women who enjoy rich gourmands, or as a sandalwood perfume for men seeking dark woods with an inviting edge. If you prefer crisp citrus colognes or minimalist skin scents, this will feel too heavy. It demands an appreciation for dense resins, incense, and dessert-like sweetness. Wear it to late dinners, weekend lounge bars, or chilly outdoor markets. It feels far too opulent and dramatic for morning office cubicles or sweaty workouts.

Favourite by John Ashwood is an expressive, comforting cool-weather scent that makes an immediate statement. The transition from sticky raspberry caramel to dry, smoldering woods feels deliberate and satisfying. While the initial sweetness requires a patient wearer, the woody drydown rewards your trust with cozy elegance. It is not an everyday summer staple, nor does it try to be. If you want a bold evening companion that lingers on your coat until the next morning, grab a sample.