ATHENA FRAGRANCES SMOKEY PLUM

Once in a while I stumble on some perfume houses that are new to me so I dip my toe and order few samples to explore. This time it was a chonky dive that didn’t leave me dissapointed.

I was eager to find somethingn close to TF Plum Japonais and kind if felt underwhelmed by most offerings who tried to recudsitate the long discontinued beauty. I was holding on to my TF sample and now I don’t have to. Because Smokey Plum has everything I was looking for in an inspired scent.

It is the closest version to the original. Of course I have not tried all reincarnations by all brands out there. I am not that crazy. But sampling the regular offenders like Alexandria made shake my head in dislike and move on.

Yesterday when comparing OG TF and Smokey Plum. It was one on one race on my skin. After about 3 hours Smokey plum pulled a bit sweeter on my skin whilst Plum Japonais stayed more burning-woodsy. But after two more hours the drydown pretty much equalized itself. Now that it is morning and I am smelling my skin, there is still faint presence of TF and quite noticeable aroma of vanilla and fir in the spot where I applied Smokey Plum. It feels more dense and grippy on skin so I assume that longevity on clothes will be even better. So far both are +/- 10h on my skin. Since it is my first wear, I can’t speak much of the sillage-performance, need to test it more outdoors. But needless to say, I am very impressed with the job of Athena Fragrances.

This is very accurate representation of TF Plum Japonais, without being obnoxious ambroxenated stinkbomb which is often the alteration that some brands choose to go for when bringing discontinued scents back. All that for 65$. Could not wish for a better blind-buy outcome.