Roja Parfums
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Lime and bergamot assault immediately with crisp, almost peppery brilliance, supported by lavender and thyme that feel positively herbal rather than perfumey. Within moments, lemon arrives to sharpen the composition further, creating an almost cleanser-like quality that's simultaneously invigorating and slightly austere.
As the citrus fades, blackcurrant emerges with surprising depth, introducing a jammy, wine-like character that completely recontextualises what came before. Coconut and champaca flower arrive like a whispered suggestion of tropicality—not overtly sweet, but lending a subtle creaminess that softens the green herbaceous edges, whilst jasmine adds a powdery, almost indolic richness that prevents the composition from becoming too straightforward.
The fragrance finally reveals its true character as leather, oakmoss, and patchouli ascend, creating a dry, almost woody-aromatic base where aniseed introduces a subtle spice. What remains is closer to a sophisticated chypre than anything else—earthy and introspective, with just enough amber and musk to keep it sensual rather than academic.
Oligarch is a fragrance that refuses to sit neatly in any category—it's simultaneously a bright citrus aperitif and a shadowy leather thriller, often within the same breath. Roja Dove has constructed something deliberately contradictory here: the opening presents lime and bergamot with almost aggressive freshness, yet the heart immediately complicates matters by introducing blackcurrant's dark berry undertones alongside champaca flower's honeyed, almost fermented character. That coconut-jasmine pairing feels unexpectedly tropical and tactile, grounding what could have been a generic fresh composition into something altogether stranger.
The real sophistication emerges in the base, where the fragrance transforms into something far more introspective. Oakmoss and patchouli create an earthy, almost herbal foundation, whilst leather and aniseed introduce a peculiar spiced tobacco quality—reminiscent of a well-worn armchair in a private club rather than anything overtly animalic. The juniper berry acts as a bridge between the bright and dark territories, suggesting gin botanicals without ever becoming an obvious aromatic fragrance.
Add fragrances to your collection and unlock your personalised scent DNA, note map, and shareable identity card.
Creed
4.1/5 (408)