NOS REPUBLIC
Rose Gambit
2023
PERFUMER
Stephanie Bakouche
rose
almond milk
chamomile
tobacco
liatrix
hay
bitter liqueurs
chessboard wood
‘In chess, a gambit is a strategic move where a player sacrifices a piece to gain advantage and, eventually, take control of the board. In Rose Gambit, the conventional prettiness of a rose is given up in order to achieve something more ambitious — a fragrance charged with electricity, strong and precise like the ticking of a mechanical clock in a chess game. A woody rose to checkmate your expectations, deviously played by Stéphanie Bakouche.’ – Nos Republic
A very spicy and modern take on rose, that keeps on surprising/changing during the wear. Initially, it feels more citrussy and floral forward than the notes let on. It has a lemony, thick oily citrus akin to the feeling I get from Amouage Epic Woman, albeit less green and aromatic. It has a similar, almost mineralic spiciness though.
The fragrance grows darker and slightly bitter in a manner that reminds me most of coffee; which is why overall, Rose Gambit reminds me perhaps most closely of Tom Ford Cafe Rose at times. Despite the somewhat darker undertone, the soapiness and brightness is still prominent too.
I wouldn’t say I smell almond milk, booze or even tobacco or hay specifically. It wears quite different from the note breakdown for me. There is a creaminess which I guess comes from the almond milk accord, however it (luckily) doesn’t pull the style of the scent fully into something like Amouage Guidance; it ends up in between that and Epic Woman/Epic 56 for me.
Definitely a bit too sweet to be a 100% love for me; I prefer the more-Epic-leaning opening over the drydown, but an altogether really good spicy take on rose.
