Obscenity
Bruce LaBruce's Obscenity is a provocative unisex perfume featuring a complex blend of asafoetida, sweet fig, and rich tobacco. With its warm spices and heavy resinous base of amber and oud, it caters to fragrance enthusiasts seeking a bold, artistic signature scent for cool autumn evenings and cold winter nights.
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Performance Metrics
7 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
You get a solid eight to ten hours of longevity. The projection is strong for the first two hours before settling to a moderate arm's length, making it ideal for cool autumn evenings and cold winter nights.
Notes Pyramid
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This oriental fougere offers a complex texture that shifts from dusty to syrupy. It highlights challenging notes of cumin and asafoetida in the opening, transitions through a heart of ripe fig, tobacco, and rose, and finishes on a base of warm labdanum and oud.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe fresh spicy and aromatic top notes quickly give way to a heavy, warm amber and woody base. The oud and patchouli add an earthy depth on the skin, while benzoin provides a smooth, resinous sweetness that lingers for hours.
Community Data
63 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 fall and spring. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Features a highly unique blend of cumin and asafoetida
Excellent longevity that easily clears eight hours on skin
Dynamic transition from sharp spices to sweet resins
Perfect signature scent for artistic winter events
Rich tobacco note that adds a sophisticated, smoky edge
Stands out completely from generic designer options
Unisex appeal that balances sweet plum with dry woods
Created by respected independent nose Kim Weisswange
Clings beautifully to fabrics like wool and leather
Great for collectors seeking rare, limited creations
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Polarizing cumin opening can smell sweaty to some
Very difficult to find and purchase nowadays
Not suitable for hot, humid summer days
Too intense and unusual for office wear
Asafoetida note can feel medicinal at first sniff
Might be too challenging for fragrance beginners
The sweet fig and dirty spices can clash on warm skin
Requires patience as the dry-down takes hours to settle
Bottle design and branding might not appeal to everyone
A poor choice for a blind buy or a safe gift
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Obscenity by Bruce LaBruce: A Polarizing, Spicy Cult Classic”
The opening of Obscenity is an immediate shock to the system. Rather than easing you in with standard citrus, it hits with a bitter, savory combination of cumin, ginger, and pungent asafoetida. It is sharp and almost medicinal, a deliberate provocation that will instantly alienate fans of clean, sweet department store scents.
As the initial spice blast calms, the heart notes reveal a more approachable side. A jammy, ripe fig note emerges alongside dusty tobacco leaves and powdery heliotrope. The contrast between the dry, herbal bay leaf and the sweet, fruity plum keeps the middle phase dynamic, preventing the floral notes from turning too traditional.
The base is where the fragrance finally settles into a warm, comfortable groove. Earthy patchouli and dark agarwood provide a solid anchor, while Siam benzoin and labdanum wrap the blend in a sweet, resinous warmth. The woody facets of cedar and sandalwood smooth out the lingering spices, leaving a rich, slightly sweet trail on the skin.
On the skin, the fragrance behaves like a heavy wool blanket. The warm spicy and woody accords dominate the wear, with the herbal tarragon and fresh spices keeping the dense amber from becoming cloying. It is a slow, evolutionary wear that changes dramatically from its chaotic start to its cozy finish.
This perfume delivers impressive performance, lingering on the skin for up to nine hours. The sillage projects strongly during the first couple of hours of an evening out, eventually settling into an intimate, warm bubble. It is best suited for cold autumn and winter nights, as the cool air tempers the heavy spices.
Obscenity is not a crowd-pleaser, nor was it meant to be. It suits independent minds, artists, and collectors who view perfume as a form of personal expression rather than a simple tool for compliments. If you enjoy complex, challenging scents, this cult creation is well worth tracking down.
FAQs
What does Obscenity smell like?+
This fragrance starts with an intense, savory burst of cumin, ginger, and pungent asafoetida. It soon reveals a sweeter heart of ripe fig, dusty tobacco, and powdery heliotrope. The scent eventually dries down to a rich, warm foundation of labdanum, oud, and sweet amber that clings closely to the skin.
How long does Obscenity last on the skin?+
You can expect between seven and ten hours of wear from this scent. The heavy base notes of Siam benzoin, oud, and vetiver ensure it clings to skin and fabric long after the initial spicy top notes fade, making it ideal for a full evening out.
What is the sillage and projection of this fragrance?+
It projects strongly during the first two hours, easily filling your personal space with a warm, spicy aura. After the third hour, it softens to a moderate scent bubble that extends about arm's length, projecting a rich mix of tobacco and amber.
Which season is best suited for wearing Obscenity?+
The dense warmth of cumin, plum, and labdanum makes this fragrance perfect for autumn and winter. The cool, crisp air of these seasons helps cut through the heavy sweetness and complex spices, preventing the scent from feeling too cloying.
For what occasions should I wear this perfume?+
This is not a casual office scent. It is best reserved for late nights, artistic events, or private gatherings where you want to stand out. Wear it with a dark leather jacket or structured evening wear to match its bold, avant-garde character.
Does Obscenity lean masculine or feminine?+
The fragrance is truly unisex. The opening has a rugged, herbal quality from bay leaf and tarragon, while the middle notes introduce sweet plum, rose, and powdery heliotrope, creating an intriguing balance that appeals to anyone who enjoys complex, non-traditional scents.
Who is the ideal audience for this fragrance?+
This perfume is designed for collectors and indie perfume enthusiasts who appreciate experimental art. If you enjoy challenging notes like asafoetida and cumin, and want to avoid clean, mass-market scents, this bold blend is made for you.
Can I layer Obscenity with other fragrances?+
Layering is tricky because of the complex top notes. If you want to experiment, try pairing it with a simple, clean sandalwood or vanilla linear scent to soften the sharp cumin opening and highlight the warm amber and tonka bean base.
Are there any good dupes or alternatives to this scent?+
While there are no direct clones, it shares a similar spicy, dark, and fruity energy with Serge Lutens Arabie or L'Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh. These options also feature cumin and dried fruits set against a deep, resinous backdrop.
Is this perfume a safe choice for a blind buy?+
No, you should definitely sample this first. The combination of asafoetida, cumin, and tobacco creates a very specific, savory sweetness that can be polarizing, so testing it on your skin before committing to a full bottle is highly recommended.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCORENo dupes submitted yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Consider Serge Lutens Arabie for a similarly heavy spice and fruit profile, or L'Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh for a drier, woodier take on dirty cumin.
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