BUTTERFLY THAI PERFUME
Agarwood & Benzoin

gardenia
cork tree
tuberose

saffron
amber

oud
benzoin
civet
frankincense

Agarwood & Benzoin is my first time properly testing Butterfly (although I have smelled some on paper, like Mango Sticky Rice). Agarwood & Benzoin may not smell how you would expect a fragrance with its name and notes to smell, but I’m highly intrigued by it.

Straight from the opening, this fragrance felt like a contradiction to me (albeit one that works out). It has the sweet, woody scent that I was expecting, but it also feels very transparent, almost aquatic. Texture wise this feels like a weird match for the scent and that watery, fresher tinge is not my favorite part of the composition.

You mostly get sweet woody however. Growing ever more honeyed as time passes, but comforting and lightly spiced from the opening. I could view it as boozy as well; it has that smooth liquid texture that you also get in something like Kilian Old Fashioned. The leathery tinge from saffron is understated and so are any florals; it feels ambery and warm for 90%.

The freshness comes across like some cheaper fresh (synthetic) muskiness that I remember from random inexpensive attars (those thick gooey attars in transparent or unnatural green/blue tinted colors). It also reminded me of shaving cream at times; adding a distinct traditional masculine tinge.

Personally, I’m not 100% convinced that I enjoy the fresher facet alongside the warmer side, but I wouldn’t say it ‘doesn’t work’ and it makes for something less common. Overall, a pretty fun fragrance, especially considering the converted retail price of under €40/60ml if my math is correct.