Zek by Necalli

Disappointment in 3, 2, 1… The notes put me off, so I grabbed a decant. But as always, we’re confirming a reality: don’t buy anything just because of the listed notes. What you smell later can be completely different. Not because it smells like something else, but because one thing is ink on paper and another is the chemistry of your brain. To me, this smells like tons of honey; don’t ask me why. Maybe it’s the blend of cinnamon, cognac, and citrus, but it gives me that tiny acidic or vinegary honey note that always turns me off. And the worst part is that it’s WAY too prominent. Both in the opening and the dry down. It bothers me a lot and doesn’t let me enjoy the rest of what’s behind that veil. What else? A sweet, woody tobacco with a musk that makes it feel very airy and light. What a pity, because if it weren’t for that honeyed touch, I’d absolutely love it. But… it’s a resounding no for me.

Zek is a masterpiece of a perfume. The first thing to say is that it does NOT resemble Angels Share; it has traits of Dior’s Tobacolor, but in a much more versatile and refined way. It’s a musky tobacco where the bergamot in the opening only gives a fleeting freshness and sparkle, without being perceived as a primary note. Immediately, the sweet tobacco appears, fusing with the cinnamon to make it almost talc-like, thanks to the musk base that carries the cinnamon touches as if they were in powder. The cognac makes the perfume feel mature, sober, and elegant, just like the description talks about resilience and solitude in cold times, all wrapped up in the musk base that, for me, is the main ingredient and stands above all the notes. Everything syncs perfectly: the sweetness, the talc-like facet, a spicy touch from the cinnamon, and the warmth that wraps everything. The musk handles it beautifully. The resemblance to Tobacolor is undeniable, but they are distinct perfumes; it’s neither an inspiration nor a dupe. Tobacolor is a honeyed tobacco with a smoky base, while this is a sweet, alcoholic, musky perfume with a certain dark edge. I feel the quality of ingredients might surpass Dior’s, let alone Angels Share, which is out of this comparison because they’re different. For me, this is one of the most artistic tobacco scents my nose has ever smelled. I sense a hint of green in the background, like a faint touch of hay or freshness, which from another angle adds a twist to the perfume, making it solid and distinct. Forget about longevity and sillage; it’s an extrait de parfum, so let’s leave it at that. Bravo Necalli, you nailed it with this perfume; for me, it’s a 10.