WHAT I SMELL:  Siberian Snow opens with a deep and rooty mint that’s earthy, rich and organic.  Overall the opening is full bodied, with a tinge of what can be described as body odor with a bit of mustiness.  But I love that bit of funk because it makes Siberian Snow real and rather primal and sexy.  There’s also a very sheer incense that layers the bottom of the fragrance.  It’s quite light, but it makes the composition seem much more mysterious.  After around the 10 minute mark, Siberian Snow lightens and in weaves an ever so slight soapiness along with a sweetened patchouli.  The whole composition seems wrapped in moisture, the kind that leaves a light wetness on the ground when there’s a fog overhead.  After some more time, the patchouli takes center stage, but it’s earthy and sharp and seems to be entwined with the forest floor.  Soon enough the opoponax comes to life with an almost sugared coating that’s more sticky than sweet.  As the fragrance further develops, it becomes greener, sharper and the projection grows.  But as the projection grows, the fragrance completely dries out making this in the end, a warm, woody, dry and powdery big patchouli earthy fragrance.

Notes from the D.S. & Durga website:

Top notes:  wintergreen mint, cistus labdanum, incense

Heart notes:  styrax, jasmine sambac, patchouli

Base notes:  amber, civet, opoponax

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Red Riding Hood going to visit grandma’s house, through the foggy and wet forest only to find grandma’s house nice and dry.  Grandma looks so snuggly in her bed…

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE SIBERIAN SNOW:  earthy, bold, dark

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SIBERIAN SNOW: Scent Hive, Sabbath of Senses

BOTTOM LINE:  Siberian Snow was one of the 5 finalists for the 2012 FIFI Indie Award.  It ultimately did not gain the top spot, but that tells you how good it is.  This is marketed as a woman’s fragrance, but I have to say that this is incredibly masculine and could easily be worn by men.  I also think that it’s suited better for the fall and winter.  Although I didn’t get snow from this… I have to admit that I enjoyed taking the walk through the forest, Grandma’s big teeth and all.

• Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent: Floral Green
• Classification: Unisex
• Expense: $98 for 30ml EdP

Sample courtesy of Indigo Perfumery.