Deep Forest by Mancera

I love the forest scent, which is why I ordered the sample. It does give that vibe, but it’s more wood—a dark, damp forest, not a warm one, and that works for me. Maybe the clove makes it a bit heavy at first, but I like that it’s noticeable and softens thanks to the floral heart, even though that initial weight lingers a bit. I don’t detect the vanilla I was expecting in the base. I also tried Replica’s Soul of the Forest; they’re similar, but Mancera is much more potent and dense. It depends on your taste if you’re looking for something light or not, but I preferred this Deep Forest. Not for daily wear, but when I want to feel that forest vibe, it delivers.

The note blend just doesn’t suit me. The opening grates on me with an intense rush of citrus, incense, amber, violet, and talc. Because of this, it feels like something an older person would wear. As it dries down, it relaxes and smells like incense candles from those fabric and handkerchief shops… it just doesn’t work for me. It lasts incredibly long and is great for cold weather, but to be honest, I don’t like it.

Some might say I’m crazy, but Deep Forest is very similar to the legendary Quorum: a bit creamier due to the vetiver, and without those green notes of caraway, pine, and moss. Otherwise, it has higher-quality alcohol, is less fresh, and more long-lasting, but… is Quorum niche because they give it away, or are niches not supposed to be that much? Let me clarify they aren’t identical; ultimately, the herbal notes and quality of Quorum make it fresher and sharper, but I don’t see the 135 euro difference reflected in almost anything.

Oh my god, this fragrance literally smells like witchcraft 😬; it smells like those places that sell candles, incense, and materials for doing magic spells, which in my country are called botánicas. I’m not a witch, but those places emit such a strong scent that you can smell it just by passing by, and this perfume smells the same: the incense is very potent, just like the violet and the clove. I don’t know if I can wear it without people thinking I just came out of a spiritual center 😭. I was excited, but I think I’ll let it rest to see if the notes settle, since it just arrived. PD: It lasts until you die and has a sledgehammer of a trail. 😅 It vaguely reminds me of Hermes’ Elixir des Mervilliers boosted to 500% and they share notes. Edit: 07/march/2023, after a week my perception changed; now it smells sweet and spicy, like creamy cloves with vanilla and a powdery touch. The orange blossom, orange, and bergamot give it a soapy touch, just a pinch, and the amber adds depth. I’m starting to like it, although I let my son smell it and he said it threw him off and made him want to vomit 🥲. Same thing happened to me the first time; it’s an autumn scent, but 5 minutes after applying it, I smell powdery vanilla oranges. I’ll keep testing and updating.

It reminds me of Alien Fusion. The opening is intense at first, but after a few minutes it becomes exquisite and the dry-down is excellent. It was a blind buy that I don’t regret, although it’s a perfume that won’t please everyone. I recommend trying it before buying.