I’m really focusing on these post-aquatic aquatics this week, aren’t I?
Aqua Fortis is a new perfume from San Francisco-based indie line MIKMOI. It’s inspired by medieval Alchemist waters and Feng Shui – “An East ~ West ode to creativity, science and the mysticism of the elements“. Aqua Fortis is a weird one in that I can’t classify it into just one fragrance genre. It’s woodsy, fruity, citrus, aquatic…it’s so many things.
Aqua Fortis opens up like dark berries, juicy plums dried mandarin peel with turpenous pine needles. It’s like fallen forest berries on a bed of freshly fallen pine needles. There’s an aquatic element to Aqua Fortis that is like smoky beach bonfires, melons and a faint tropical white floral. The heart has something that is like metal shavings, camphor and bandages. It’s dry and anesthetizing with an herbalness. It’s a really medicinal salve-like scent. Aqua Fortis dries down to a slightly smoky yet green and fruity fragrance. This dry-down reminds me of the little beach pebbles from a cold, rugged coastline.
I admit that Aqua Fortis is challenging for me because of the turpenous, medicinal elements that bring to mind old-fashioned salves and elixirs (which does fit with the inspiration). I think for some people, Aqua Fortis may be like how I see Tauer Lonestar Memories, a fragrance that reminds me of my grandfather’s shed.
Notes listed include petit grain, saffron, musk, bois de rose, pine needle, pink pepper, lapsang souchong, stone fruit, hay, yuzu and ambergris. Launched in 2014. PERFUMER – Michael Coyle
Give Aqua Fortis a try if you like unusual perfumes or pine scents. Or if you like perfumes like Olympic Orchids Carolina, House of Matriarch Forbidden, L’Artisan Fou d’Absinthe and/or Aedes de Vensustas EDP. My suggestions are all over the place mainly because this perfume is sort of all over the place. I do think if you can wear those medicinal ouds that you could easily pull this one off.
Projection and longevity are average to above average depending on how much you spray.
The 1.7 oz retails for $96 at MIKMOI. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – An unusual “medicinal” aquatic. This one is challenging for me to wear because, well, I really can’t explain why. I think it may remind me of something and I don’t know what, like an ointment or a person I once knew. Even though I wouldn’t wear this scent, I think it’s great since it represents what I love about indies. It’s a weird perfume that takes risks. Plus, this perfume is so punk – non-conforming, slightly aggressive and raw.