HFC
SWORD DANCER
2018
PERFUMER
Benoit Bergia
Cardamom
Bergamot
Rum
Labdanum
Davana
Balsam Fir
Sandalwood
Vetiver
Straight away you get overwhelmed by a pretty dark and heavy blast with solid projection. I mainly get cardamom and a boozy woodiness. It has that almost liquorice-like element to it that reminds me a bit of the opening of Amouage’s Royal Tobacco; although the two don’t share many notes.
Definitely a rum-heavy scent. Like spilling rum on an old pine tree bark in a forest with the cardamom creating that almost minty (liquorice-anise like) tinge. It goes a bit green for my liking, but what I really enjoy here is the texture. It’s rather smooth and liquid.
There’s a bit of sweetness, but not overly so. As I mentioned above, this mostly reminds me of Royal Tobacco scent-wise, but that grows into a fully sweet amber, whereas Sword Dancer keeps a fresher approach. To my nose it’s quite a traditional masculine leaning scent with a hint of barbershop at its core. It’s often compared to Fragrance du Bois’ Oud Bleu Intense; I’d have to try that again, but from memory I’d say Sword Dancer is significantly stronger and more woody spicy.
Not a style I’d usually go for, but a great fragrance, with great performance as a bonus. I’ve been testing it in pretty warm weather, which works surprisingly well with it’s fresher overtones, but I do think cold weather will be a lot more suited.