WHAT I SMELL: Debaser opens with a luscious pear that is all too quickly replaced with a very milky and creamy fig over a crisp green note. The bergamot gives it a semi sparkling radiance, but that too moves quickly to the side to make way for a woody note that seems to strip the green out of the fragrance only to have it replaced with a drier more hefty wood. Thankfully, the fig does a nice job to help maintain the fragrance from airing completely out . There’s a real comfort here in that as big as the perfume is (trust me it radiates), there is nothing here that goes over the top nor does the fig and coconut become suffocating. After around 15 minutes, the tonka comes to the forefront and there is a rather incensed and smoky edge that helps to continue drying out the perfume. There’s also a bit of a petroleum aspect that seems to reveal itself which adds this unexpected but welcomed dimension which takes Debaser from really nice to really sexy. In the end you’re left with a really lovely mossy and woody concoction that is nicely accentuated with a lightly sugared fig. Just note however that a little goes a long way. I can’t wait to test this in the heat of the summer as it will likely bloom and really project from the heat making it all that more sexy!
Notes from the D.S. & Durga website:
Top notes: bergamot, green leaf, pear stem
Heart notes: fig, coconut milk, iris
Base notes: blond woods, tonka bean, moss
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: What I believe the dashing Mutiny on the Bounty Fletcher Christian would smell like. Any of the movie versions will do. Who’s your pick? Clark Gable, Marlon Brando or Mel Gibson?
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE DEBASER: beefy, sexy, bold
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT DEBASER: Colognoisseur
BOTTOM LINE: Debaser is based on the Pixie’s song of the same name inspired by the Luis Buneul and Salvador Dali surrealist film, Un Chien Andalou. To me this obscure and artful inspired perfume bypassed surreal and went to outright sexy to me. Hmmmm, surreal sexiness…have I just tapped into something?
For a video interpretation of the inspiration, click here.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Aromatic Fruity
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $145 for 50 ml Eau de Parfum
Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique & Apothecary
The Scented Hound 
March 4, 2015 at 9:30 am
Me wants to sample… despite fig which I usually can’t stand except a few compositions
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March 5, 2015 at 9:12 am
Funny, I thought that I didn’t like fig as well that much, but this and Philosykos have changed my mind about the note. I think that there can be a tendency that it can be overwhelming if not used in moderation.
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March 5, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Oh, I hate Philosykos. Figs that I like inclue Ninfeo Mio from Annick Goutal and Wilde from Jardins d’Ecrivains
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March 4, 2015 at 9:35 pm
Sounds good – even though for whatever reason this brand doesn’t appeal to me. I think their perfumes are too expensive for what they are. I realize it’s not objective but while I might pay full price ($135-$140) for 50 ml of Serge Lutens perfume I doubt I’ll do it for D.S. & Durga’s perfumes. But I will give it a try if I come across it.
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March 5, 2015 at 9:13 am
No need to explain yourself U. There are certain brands that don’t speak to me as well.
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March 4, 2015 at 11:57 pm
I’d really like to try this one. I love me some fig. And moderated coconut. But mostly fig. Thanks for the review!
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March 5, 2015 at 9:14 am
Sun Mi… I think you might really like this 🙂
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March 5, 2015 at 10:06 am
Surreal sexiness? That’s certainly worth a try! There is something surreal about your images of the various Fletcher Christians as well. Mel Gibson certainly studied Clarke Gable, both equally dashing… but I always found Marlon Brando too disturbing to be sexy.
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March 6, 2015 at 8:35 am
LOL… yes, there is something rather disturbing about Marlon Brando! LOL
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