ESTORAS
ANTAL – Chasing the Horizon
2021
PERFUMER
Marie Le Febvre
bergamot
pink pepper
timut pepper
rose
geranium
incense
ho wood
vetiver
patchouli
cedarwood
amber
tonka bean
tobacco
musk
iso-e-super
suede
‘Antal is an invitation to an olfactory journey unifying past and present, western cultures and distant lands. The reminiscence of the timeless elegancy of the old world represented through natural woody-ambery notes of vetiver from haiti, patchouli from indonesia, cedar wood from morocco, incense and tonka-bean is subtility blended with an essence of the modern world. This break creates an exhilarating experience by the overdose of contemporary molecules of clean musks, soft woods and ‘vegan’ suede leather facets. All this is sublimated and enhanced by an unexpected fresh floral spicy touch given by timut and pink pepper , rose and geranium’ – Marie Le Febvre
When I tried Estoras at Paris Perfume Week, Antal was easily my favorite of the 3 releases thus far. Frankly, my favorite part of this brand is its backstory and the fragrances compliment the story well, but Antal remained my preference on skin by a margin.
‘In 1926 Prince Antal Esterházy set out on an epic adventure with his best friend Count Lászlo Almásy, the English Patient (…) Antal and Lászlo set out across the sand to become the first to cross the Sahara in a standard road car. This daring journey became known as the Esterházy Safari’ – Estoras. The brand, launched by the grandson of Antal Esterhazy was made to tell the story of this journey.
In Antal, you mostly get the spice markets, the warmth, the resins, suede accents. All surrounding a more conventional sweet and earthy rose. It has a bit of a balmy texture, which I think I remember (it’s been a while, so I could be mistaken) from perfumer Marie Le Febvre’s Desert Rose; arguably my favorite from Urban Scents. Antal is a darker scent, with suede and patchouli being a stand out features to my nose. It is however, not a green patchouli, nor a harsh leather, making this more of a comforting wear, especially given its sweetness. It makes me think of hay dipped in a syrupy sweetness or perhaps liquorice (the root, not the processed candy).
There is a colder, melancholic, cave or large stone building vibe in Antal as well to me; I think because of the more airy earthiness, but the sweeter side wins the battle. Overall, quite a lovely fragrance.
