COSTUME NATIONAL
21

2007

PERFUMER
Laurent Bruyere
Juliette Karagueuzoglou

BERGAMOT
SAFFRON
MILK
ORANGE BLOSSOM

CASHMERAN
CLARY SAGE
CUMIN
ROYAL JELLY
MOSS
PEPPER

PATCHOULI
CEDARWOOD
FRANKINCENSE
LABDANUM
TONKA BEAN
AMBER
MUSK
OUD
VANILLA
VETIVER

From the few fragrances that I’ve tried from Costume National, I’d say it’s a pretty underrated brand. A designer brand at that, which not everyone is aware of. 21 was one of the very first fragrances on my radar when I started getting into fragrances, because I was looking up fragrances with a milky quality and this came suggested. Is it milky? I guess, but it’s mostly very spicy and warm.

This is one of the best spicy scents at its price in my opinion. The spices are very pronounced and punchy, with slight aromatic tinges. Saffron adds a pinch of leather, but mostly it’s spicy, earthy and woody with patchouli, caraway and pepper being prominent. If you like fragrances such as Maison Francis Kurkdjian Grand Soir, you’re in for a treat. Leaning very far traditionally masculine in my opinion.

It’s very warm and takes one back to a fireplace in a forest cabin in the winter. Mossy, sweet, with that earthy patchouli persistent throughout. I do get the idea of a chai latte a bit as other reviewers have mentioned, but frankly, I don’t think it’s all that creamy or milky; if it didn’t have milk in the notes, it would not be where my mind goes. I also don’t agree with people comparing 21 to Prada Amber; that is much brighter, sharper, vanillic, whereas this is a spicy patchouli.

That being said, beautifully comforting spices that work best in the colder months. I may have to pick up a bottle of 21 one day.