Like ENIGMA, EASTERN LANDS is a WWII concept fragrance, this time based in a much darker history. The original “Freedom Fighters” were Muslims recruited from German POW camps who were deceived into joining the German side with promises that they were fighting for the independence of their countries from the USSR, a strategy the US inherited after the war and used in Afghanistan to devastating effect for all parties involved. As a fragrance it’s intended to conjure the destructive power of war, but also the blood, sweat and heroism of the common soldiers who fought on both sides but had no real say in any of it. That’s a tall order for a fragrance concept, of course. Still, it evokes vivid emotions and imagery for those who have tried it so far. It’s also shockingly pleasant to wear.

EASTERN LANDS is also the first in a series of incense fragrances, in this case a dry incense-clove married to a massive dry-sour-green petitgrain note that’s accentuated by a weirdly fresh galbanum oil and blended with elemi, which bridges the green, spicy and resinous qualities. It wears extremely well in hot weather; the dry-resinous, spicy and sour-green qualities make it strangely refreshing in the heat and, tbh, do a great job covering the smell of stale sweat. It’s one our perfumer has been wearing for years for that reason, but somehow hadn’t considered a serious contender. That changed when we began sending out samples to a few regulars who had sampled everything else.

Notes include petitgrain, lavandin, galbanum, elemi, incense, clove.

There are a small number of samples currently available from the original 2018 batch and there will be 13 bottles from the same batch released in April. After that there will be a slightly different batch/version with a different blend of petitgrain oils.