Esencia Elixir by Loewe

I haven’t tried Creed Aventus, but I’ve heard this one smells better and they are very similar. On my skin, it lasts 8 to 12 hours and has that quality of lingering quietly before suddenly releasing intense bursts. It’s quite linear without major twists, but the dry-down is delicious. I perceive moss, incense, a bit of patchouli, and earthy notes; at first, it smells like crushed wet grass. It’s become one of my favorites, hard to beat. I appreciate opinions and corrections.

Loewe returns to the original essence. It’s a shame you’re ruining legendary perfumes with updates and rebranding. I believe perfumes shouldn’t be reformulated until they lose the identity of the original; that’s where the magic lies, preserving a unique composition. Nowadays, most commercial perfumes all smell the same.

Esencia Elixir isn’t a bad perfume, but it disappoints because it feels more like a clone of the Aventus vibe than something especially interesting. The citrus top note leaves me a bit cold, similar to the Creed. Then, in the dry-down, the vetiver and patchouli play better, but that’s about it. What’s objectively criticizable is the price: I’ve seen 100ml for €140. I don’t think anything justifies that, not even because it’s an ‘Elixir’. I’m not a fan of the Aventus wave, but more sensible buys are the Montblanc Explorer for €30 or some of Armaf.

They gave it to me for my birthday. I left it in a Loewe bag with sulfur paper or onion for a few days and sprayed cheap perfume on it; the room was filled with a wonderful spicy scent, wow! When I returned from my trip, I tried it again, and it’s true that it resembles Creed Aventus. However, I own the Spirit of King and the original, and they all evolve differently, even the same perfume on different people. Conclusion: highly recommended. I’d even recommend Loewe over the original Aventus because it lasts longer on me, though I insist they are different, just like their prices.

Exact clone of Tiziana Terenzi’s Orion. The scent is identical, tested on blotter and skin, though I doubt it has the same longevity as the niche version. I was surprised by how potent it is and the good fixation. It’s almost 100% the same fragrance as Orion, very good.

The fragrance is very good, and I think there’s unjustified hate, perhaps due to the price? It’s similar to the EDP but more punchy. The citrus opening with lavender is more concentrated and persists throughout the development, though the dark, earthy side gains ground over time. After two hours, it’s balanced, very formal, and suitable for all weather, keeping the citrus and lavender. You have to try it to see which you like more, the EDP or the Elixir. I prefer the EDP, but this one seems outstanding too. Having both seems redundant to me.

Much more synthetic than the EDP, less green and less fresh. It feels like a 30-euro Arabic perfume. I expected a greener twist that would give it personality and make it unique, separating it from being a simple Aventus clone at an insane price.

Let’s get straight to the point: without even analyzing the sillage, evolution, or projection, this is a real SHAME. In Loewe’s attempt to transform their line into niche by unifying packaging and wasting money on cardboard, they’ve created a deceptive fragrance. Essencia Pour Homme is good, and the Eau de Parfum is a smart evolution, but the ELIXIR is a DISASTER. It has nothing to do with its roots; they used the term ‘elixir’ to slap an outrageous price tag on something that doesn’t respect previous quality and is simply bad. I’ve received negative reviews and got rid of it. Don’t let yourselves be fooled.

Beware of comparisons with Afnan Supremacy Not Only Intense. They do resemble each other, but they aren’t the same. First, due to ingredient quality, and second, regarding longevity, where Loewe wins, even though it costs nearly three times as much. It’s like thousands of cases where an Arabic house makes a perfume inspired by a Western one: the scent is almost identical, but the nuances always differ.

Loewe remembered too late to make an Aventus clone; it’s no coincidence that the multinational destroying the perfume industry bought both houses and now all their perfumes look alike. The scent is an ‘ambered Aventus.’ The notes are misleading; it doesn’t have those three accidental notes but is more complex with good evolution. The opening is 95% identical to Supremacy Not Only Intense (owning both seems irrelevant), which grates on me given Loewe’s price, more than double. While I love this DNA, the purchase is hard to swallow. I’d dare say it’s as synthetic, with something that makes my nose itch, whereas the Afnan doesn’t, only in the first few hours; once dried down, you can perceive more quality, with plenty of well-blended amber. Overall, it’s a clone of the well-known Aventus, with better longevity, sillage, and quality not very different from what the English house is trying to sell us today. Both houses bought by LVMH—the joke tells itself…

A ‘tightened’ version of the Essence EDP. Darker, denser, greener, woodier, earthier, smokier, ambered, and more accorded than the original. Less citrus and less transparent. I like its dry-down much more; it moves to a sweet-smoky phase that I adore. A sweetness like ripe fruit, not chemical or commercially vanilla-like. When I first tried it, I made a mistake by spraying it on my aluminum watch strap, and it’s been lingering on me for days. It projects and lasts incredibly well; if you’re not careful with the sprays, you and everyone around you will be overwhelmed. It’s an adult, mature, serious, and unique fragrance. It moves away from the commercial profile similar to the Aventus EDP to create something more particular. I wouldn’t be surprised if it causes disruption in your circle. It’s pricey, but at 50ml for 70 euros… it could be a good option for EDP users looking for something more noticeable for important and formal events. If you factor in quality and longevity, the 50ml will last you. I love it, despite how boring and less versatile it might seem. It’s a good perfume.

Perfumon! Yes, it’s expensive, but the scent is a treat, like taking the Essencia EDP and darkening it by adding greener, more mature touches. Performance is insane; 12 hours later, you still get bursts, and it remains on the skin, a bomb. It beats the EDP, which I also own. The price is high, but if you get it on sale or hunt for a deal, it’s worth it; I bought the 100ml for 65€ and feel like it’s a steal. I see it for people 25 and up; I can’t imagine a young kid wearing it—it has a lot of gravitas and makes a statement. It has an air of Supremacy Not Only Intense, but the quality is light years apart; I finished selling my Supremacy because the aroma had typical Arabic perfume notes that become unbearable once you’ve tasted good things. Versatile except in extreme heat, since it’s dense and can be overwhelming; ideal for spring or cool summer nights.

Do you like this fragrance but think it’s too expensive? Try Supremacy Not Only Intense by Afnan… Let me just say you get 1/4 of the price of the Loewe.

Green and dark. Starts fruity but quickly turns earthy, like grabbing wet soil with roots and moss after an autumn rain. Then it rises into wood and incense with a smoky touch. It’s nocturnal, serious, and full of personality. Lasts 6-8 hours; projection drops after 3 hours, though I sometimes catch it the next day. Reminds me of Essence EDP.

The truth: I respect everyone’s tastes, but I HATE this. It’s cloying, explosively raw, lacking delicacy or subtlety. No evolution here, just a field of herbs and smoke from start to finish. Seems like a waste at an art-piece price. I’d choose Essence EDP a thousand times over, even if it were free.