WHAT I SMELL: Gothic Angel opens like an angel with a fleeting mimosa riding on a soft bed of lavender in a manner that’s ever so subtle and contained.  Quickly, the perfume begins to move towards the medicinal with a semi Band-Aid smell which makes the perfume feel a bit antiseptic.  However, that Band-Aid smell is rather comforting…at least to me. After a bit more, a light wood covered in incense begins to appear.  Again, the perfume is very subtle, the kind of perfume in which you smell something, but you’re not sure where it’s coming from.  As the perfume continues to develop, a sweetened floral appears that’s enclosed in decay.  At this point the perfume feels old, like a building that’s been sitting untouched for years.  That’s not a bad thing, as it feels like it contains a story that’s been long forgotten.  As Gothic Angel continues it drydown, there’s a subtle oil or petroleum edge that appears which adds to the decay.  After some length of time, the decay makes way for a brighter and lighter component as the perfume begins to dry and powder which makes the perfume comforting.  In the end, Gothic Angel becomes a complete angel as it becomes a soft floral and musk perfume set on top of an understated sandalwood and incense.

The fragrance features mimosa, ylang-ylang, jasmine, violet, rose, lavender, wormwood, sandalwood, musk, incense, olibanum, tobacco, grapefruit, cassis, amber and vanilla.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  An apparition.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GOTHIC ANGEL: storied, obscure, mystical

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GOTHIC ANGEL:  None to be found.

BOTTOM LINE:  Gothic Angel is my introduction into the O’Driu perfume line.  Unlike the well-known Peety, this perfume, released earlier this year, is a bit unknown, but is an interesting step into the collection.  I’m looking forward to testing more from the quirky perfume house which I have no doubt will take me on an interesting ride.

• Bone Rating:  3 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent Oriental
• Nose: Angelo Orazio Pregoni
• Classification: Unisex
• Expense: $165 for 50 ml eau de parfum

Sample provided by O’Driu.  Opinion my own.