150 30ml $5 Adam’s cheapest
Russian Adam
Extrait de Parfum 30ml
Musky, foresty chypre perfume with a fresh and cooling twist.
Top notes:
camphor, bergamot, lime, birch tar, and fir balsam
Heart notes:
champaka, jasmine, and galbanum
Base notes:
Russian cedar resin, vanilla, vetiver, synthetic musk, amber resin, and oakmoss
DESCRIPTION
Siberian and Russian musk perfumes often represent an iconic inhabitant of their region: the musk deer. Foresty and warm, those blends are more suited to being enjoyed during the chill of winter. The story of Siberian Summer tells a familiar tale… but one that is revealed in a unique way. This composition pays homage to summers in Siberia, Russia, which are unlike anywhere else in the world.
Siberian Summer dawns with fresh and brisk camphoric bergamot,
Smoky birch tar lingering in the cool air,
Shafts of crystal clear rays of sunlight streaming through pine needles.
Rapidly, sunny heart notes build up strength and radiate through. Champaka, brightly shining and sweet, gently exposes its fruity, fresh character. Piercing sambac jasmine blooms with a sharper sweetness. Sticky galbanum adds just the right amount of deep greenness to the heart. All these notes harmonize to create the effect of a symphonic explosion of sunshine.
Synthetic deer musk provides a good deal of dry, animalic essence to the base, but is free of an intensity that some may find overwhelming, especially in hot and humid climes. Dry muskiness melts into rich and smoky, sour amber resin. Oakmoss adds a cool, forest floor effect, perfectly sealing the deal for this invigorating, bright and shining composition.
Siberian Summer is a stunning chypre perfume, yet some find it challenging. Those who do enjoy it often save it for winter or special, cool evening events. In contrast, this composition is an everyday, signature scent that is ideal for warmer weather… or anytime one wishes to reminisce on the glorious elements of an exhilarating, sunny, Siberian Summer.
Fragrance Quick Story
I personally don’t get the summer part in the fragrance. Maybe it’s my lack of experience with Eastern perfumery, but the musky drydown is not something I would personally equate to summer.
There is an AJD familiarity to the fragrance, with vibes of Russian Musk and Siberian Musk. Make no mistake; those it is not. Those are in a different classification for me, especially Russian Musk. I am glad he didn’t carry the name “musk” on this one in the collection. I see this as a starting point for Areej Le Dore, which is needed. But for why I collect from the house, this one is not for me. I really appreciate Adam making an animal-cruelty-free concoction, as a lot of people feel they are missing out on the house because of their beliefs, and I now have somewhere to point them.
Fragrance in my opinion compared to Perfume’s Notes
On the opening after three wearings, I just can’t shake it. I get a cleaner vibe, that citrus wood cleaner. When I was young, my job every weekend was dusting at my grandparents’ with the waxy cleaner I used too much of, but got the job done. Loved the smell as a kid, but I can’t shake the memory here.
You instantly get the sharp punch of citrus, backed by the classic Areej musk that is in other creations. I get the smoky birch and camphor, but it’s just way too soft and linear for me. In fact, after the citrus blasts wear into the perfume, I didn’t detect any strong transitions. It became a pretty static wearing of something that smells nice. The oakmoss comes through very nicely and sweet touches flow from vanilla in a light-handed touch. I can see the cedar resin there and want more of it. Would be curious to see how this plays with real musk in the future.
Overall, you are getting toned-down liner tastes of Russian and Siberian musks. Both of those are different, but you can feel all three are from the same house, and it looks like a staple to look forward to in every collection, as it should be; a chypre is an all-time classic.
I finally have something to point out to animal-friendly connoisseurs, and I think that’s the real intent here. I do think it’s a must for the brand, as he is seeing tremendous success, and I am glad to be along for the ride.
