MCM
MCM
254 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Galbanum's green sharpness punctures through peachy warmth and bright bergamot, creating an initial burst of herbaceous citrus that feels almost bracing—the fragrance announces itself as deliberate, not apologetic. Within moments, that green minerality begins tempering the sweeter fruit notes, establishing an unusual balance between brightness and restraint.
The florals emerge with understated elegance—jasmine and rose nestle alongside thyme's peppery bite, creating a heart that's floral without being conventionally pretty. Ylang ylang adds a creamy, almost spiced undertone, whilst rosewood introduces gentle woodiness that prevents the composition from becoming too soft or powdery.
The ambergris and musk create a warm, skin-like amber base that deepens with time, whilst cedarwood and sandalwood provide creamy woodiness without drying harshness. Vanilla and moss settle into the composition's foundations, creating an earthy, slightly musky finish that feels intimate and lived-in rather than projected.
Obelisk MCM arrives as a studied exercise in 1980s restraint—a fragrance that refuses the era's syrupy excess whilst maintaining its architectural ambitions. The opening galbanum cuts through peach and bergamot with an almost sharp verdancy, establishing a green-tinged citrus foundation that feels less frivolous than foundational. What's compelling here is the fragrance's commitment to spice: thyme and the warmer florals (ylang ylang particularly) create a slightly peppery undertone that prevents the composition from softening into mere sweetness.
This is a scent for the cerebral dresser, someone drawn to structured minimalism but unwilling to abandon sensuality entirely. The floral heart—rose and jasmine tempered by thyme's herbal restraint—sits somewhere between cologne and perfume proper, refusing conventional beauty in favour of something more austere. Rosewood adds a subtle woody warmth without veering into costume jewellery territory.
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3.5/5 (483)