The Puppet

“IM : SOLE The Puppet Review”

The Puppet by IM : SOLE is built around a profile that feels cleaner and drier than its name might suggest. On paper, it opens with bergamot, neroli, and lemon, which gives it a bright first impression, but the real identity seems to sit further in. Pine, sage, and black tea pull it away from standard fresh citrus territory and into something greener, more aromatic, and a little moodier.

That middle stage is the part likely to decide whether this fragrance works for you. Pine can bring a cool, slightly resinous outdoorsy feel, while sage adds herbal sharpness and black tea introduces a dry, faintly textured nuance. None of those notes suggest sweetness or softness as the main idea. Instead, The Puppet looks like a fragrance for someone who prefers freshness with structure, not freshness that disappears into soapiness.

The base keeps the composition grounded in wood. Cedarwood and guaiac wood point toward a dry, smooth backbone, while amber adds warmth without necessarily making the scent feel heavy. With the listed accords leaning woody, aromatic, citrus, green, and herbal, the overall shape appears quite coherent. You get brightness up top, an unusual green-tea-conifer heart, then a woody amber landing that should feel steady and polished.

For wear style, this seems easiest to place in daytime, smart casual, and transitional settings. It looks versatile enough for office use if you enjoy character in your fresh scents, but it may also suit quiet evening wear because the tea and woods add a little depth. Seasonally, it reads strongest for spring and autumn, with enough citrus to stay lively and enough wood to avoid feeling too thin. In high heat, it may still work if you like dry aromatics more than juicy citruses.

The main reason to sample first is not the note pyramid, it is the lack of a clear wear consensus. There is not enough dependable public feedback yet to speak firmly about longevity, projection, or how loudly the pine and black tea come across on skin. That matters because notes like sage, tea, and coniferous woods can wear very differently depending on balance and concentration. Some people may get a refined woody aromatic. Others may find the greener facets more pronounced.

As a buyer proposition, The Puppet makes the most sense for someone who wants a modern woody aromatic with a greener, more distinctive twist than the usual citrus-amber routine. If you like smooth woods, herbal edges, and a dry tea touch, it has a promising structure. If you mainly want sweetness, creaminess, or a crowd-pleasing blue-fresh style, this may feel too restrained or too specific.