MAJDA BEKKALI
FUSION SACREE OBSCUR / FUSION SACREE LUI

2012

PERFUMER
Bertrand Duchaufour

LEMON
ORANGE
BERGAMOT
NEROLI
CELERY
ARTEMISIA
LAVENDER
CARDAMOM
RUM

PEAR
GERANIUM
CLOVE
COFFEE
TUBEROSE

AMBER
CARAMEL
BENZOIN
CEDARWOOD
LIQUORICE
OPOPONAX
SANDALWOOD
vanilla
musk

I finally had a chance to wear Fusion Sacree Obcur (f.k.a. Fusion Sacree Pour Lui, the men’s counterpart to Fusion Sacree Clair/Pour Femme). I’ve always been infatuated with the bottle design of the Majda Bekkali, but this was my first time properly smelling one of the fragrances.

And an interesting one it is. As often, Duchaufour lends a particular, quite classy and unique touch to his composition. Here, you get a contrasting mix of sharp greens, white florals and sweetness.

In the opening, the green side wins it over the sweetness. Grassy neroli and tuberose, some bitter hints and an overall bright, sharp, green vibe persists. You can also picture the liquorice and sweetness underneath it a bit, but I’d say that is overpowered by the other notes, especially tuberose.

Definitely not up my alley. As far as tuberoses go, this one is as mentioned sharp and green. Not sweet, fleshy, but strongly on the acidic and bitter side with a hint of bubblegum and fruitiness (some peach). I feel like neroli and celery double down on its greenness and ultimately, you’re going to have to appreciate bitter green, aromatic freshness most to enjoy this fragrance.

Despite it getting warmer and sweeter as it dries. Some people have described this as a boozy gourmand or mostly a sweet fragrance, which would read very misleading to my nose. It grows quite sweet, sugared with that resinous and liquorice touch, but I cannot imagine anyone not perceiving the prominent white florals as a significant aspect of Fusion Sacre Obscur.