Dzhari by Phaedon

Dzhari is named after a famous wind that blows through the Lybian desert, so in my mind we're expecting warmth, dry sand, perhaps the fires of the local population as they cook and a feeling of exposure to the elements...

So imagine our surprise when the first thing that pops into our head is Christmas pudding!  Now we do love Christmas pudding and all that goes with it - the brandy or rum used for flaming, the sweet fruit contained within, the deliciously dark sponge with lots of spices ... just utter scrumtiousness.... Oh yes, the fragrance.....

Hugely base note heavy with notes of cedar, cashmeran, sandalwood, tonka bean and dates (our aroma of the week) it definitely hits the mark of being warming and woody.  It would seem the dates are giving that dried fruit sweetness which is so apparent at the beginning, but after a while we're left with sweetness and woody notes, so yes it fulfils the expectation of fires in the desert but only after a while.

If we had judged this perfume on it initial aroma I think we'd all have be less keen, but as it changes opinion is divided. There is a tiny hint of a brandy like note somewhere in the background - but that could just be us getting carried away thinking of pudding again!

A bit more impact in the latter stages would be welcome - even with all those beautiful big base notes it doesn't seem to hang around too long, which is a little disappointing but perhaps like the desert wind we are only meant to experience it briefly.....