Dua Fragrances - Queen of Spades

In 1834 Alexander Pushkin published his short story Queen of Spades (Pikovaya Dama).  Over the years, the story has been adapted multiple times - into stories, film, and an opera (Tchaikovsky).  Essentially the story revolves around a Countess, who after incurring a large gambling debt, learned a secret to winning at cards by playing three specific cards just once during the game.  This story is told to a Russian army officer who, because of his greed, is led to court the Countess’s charge to gain the secret.  The story is rife with themes of power, avarice, and the supernatural. 

As you can imagine, the Queen of Spades in story and in scent is not shy.  Instead, she is powerful and in control, even after death.  Mahsam Raza’s interpretation brings us the Countess in all her complexity.  This fragrance opens with a powerful and bold citric floral aldehyde blend.  The opening is bright and clean with a characteristic aldehyde soapiness (like a bar you would find in a better hotel or resort).  While the aldehydes remain fairly strong for roughly 2 hours, in the interim, notes of incense and spice appear furthering the mystery of the Countess’s secret.  The juice is rounded out with clean patchouli, sandalwood, musk and a touch of vanilla.  The drydown is simply gorgeous and regal. 

I get a 11+ hour wear time from this fragrance with the base notes lasting at least 13 hours.

TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Lemon, Neroli, Rose, and Aldehydes.

MID NOTES: Coriander, Cedar, Iris, Incense, and Nutmeg.

BASE NOTE: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Musk, and Vanilla.

Inspired by Xerjoff Pikovaya Dama.