Romulus

Romulus focuses on a raw, animalic leather accord reinforced by spices like saffron and cinnamon. It transitions from this aggressive opening into a woody base dominated by oud and smoothed out by tonka bean and vanilla absolute, resulting in a dark, resinous scent profile perfect for cold weather.

The opening is quite intense, characterized by the sharp leather and spice notes. As it moves into the heart and eventually the dry-down, the scent becomes much warmer and creamier, with the vanilla absolute and heliotrope softening the initial animalic edges significantly.

This is a remarkably persistent fragrance. Most wearers report that it lasts well beyond the standard workday, often remaining noticeable on clothing or skin for over 12 hours. It is definitely a long-lasting option that does not require frequent reapplication during a night out.

Romulus projects strongly, especially in the first few hours. You should expect it to command attention within a room. It is not an intimate scent that hugs the skin immediately, so you should be mindful of the number of sprays if wearing it to an office setting.

This is firmly a cold-weather fragrance. The combination of dense oud, woody notes, and warm spices makes it ideal for the low temperatures of autumn and winter. It might feel overwhelming or cloying if worn during the heat of summer.

Due to its bold and mature character, Romulus is best reserved for formal evening events or nights out in the colder months. Its dark, oudy nature feels out of place in casual, sunny, or highly professional daytime environments where a lighter scent might be preferred.

It may be challenging for a beginner. The raw leather and animalic notes are quite polarizing, and the strength of the oud base is significant. If you are new to this style, we recommend sampling before committing to a full bottle.

While marketed as unisex, the heavy leather, oud, and woody notes give it a strong masculine-leaning character. That said, the sweet tonka bean and vanilla absolute in the dry-down allow it to work on anyone who enjoys dark, spice-heavy compositions.

Romulus is already a very complex, dense composition. Layering it is difficult because it will likely dominate any other scent you pair it with. If you must layer, try something very light, like a simple citrus or clean musk, to add contrast.

Given the reports of animalic intensity and the polarizing nature of the oud, it is not a safe blind buy. The scent is very specific in its dark, leathery approach, and you need to verify that your personal taste aligns with such bold, long-lasting profiles.