VON EUSERSDORFF
CLASSIC OPOPONAX

2015

PERFUMER
Camille Henfling Jr.

Rose
Jasmine

Opoponax
Benzoin
Sandalwood

Amber
Vanilla
Castoreum
Patchouli

I’d tried and reviewed Classic Opoponax with their Von Euserdorff’s (splash) bottle a couple of days prior and it was love at first sniff. Preferring a sprayer, I decided to opt for the full-size straight away and I’ve never put a dent in a bottle as quick. Let’s dive a little deeper.

As the name suggests, Classic Opoponax is centered around the resin opoponax. I’ve never smelled it on it’s own, but it’s known as a sweeter resin and sweetness is definitely what you get here. The opening is warm and slightly floral (rose and jasmine), but has a stronger resinous and (blond) woody overall vibe.

If you don’t have a reference for opoponax, I’d say this fragrance smells a little bit like the lightest, cleanest, sweet patchouli fragrance that you can think of. At least, that’s how Classic Opoponax starts; as it develops, it turns into a smooth, tonka-like sweet scent, with an amost baby-powder tinge. It didn’t hit me when sampling, but the fragrance that it reminds me off most is Hiram Green Arbolé. Arbolé is greener, woodier and a bit less clear, but both have the (baby)powdery vanilla ice-cream aspects.

Whereas Arbolé leans a bit green, Classic Opoponax leans golden. It’s warmer and the sandalwood base is very smooth. I can’t stress enough that this is a sweet resin; not just the opoponax, but there’s also benzoin and vanilla listed. It coats the skin like a golden blanket and I think it will also play nice with a lot of other fragrances.

I have nothing bad to say. The performance is good, with a partiality for longevity over projection. The clean presentation is right up my alley and this 100ml EDP comes in at a very respectable €135. I’m glad to have discovered the brand.