A fusion fragrance which takes multiple influences and traditions and makes them even better in the mix.

Listed notes

Cypress, ginger, cardamom, ylang-ylang, vetiver, cinnamon leaf, patchouli, incense, leather.

Top notes

Fusion of influences is something often touted in fragrance and yet so rarely as well done, as well integrated as the way that Ojar does it. Routes Nomades is a fragrance which feels both definite and purposeful when it is released from the bottle. Immediately upon spraying, a bright plume of cypress appears. The initial moments of the fragrance are forceful. It is bright, green, but not overly lush. The greenery here is, instead, leathery, tough, not quite dessicated, but somehow rugged, bitter, astringent. This is greenery which is aged somehow, it’s seen some things and got some stories to tell.

The cypress, which is largely responsible for the tone at the start of the scent, is supported by the warmth and zest of ginger. This is quite understated, but it is there, it gives the fragrance some movement and vitality at the start because the ginger has a rounder, less spiky feel to it here. The cypress is then further heightened by cardamom which is rough and spiky. Its bitter greenery compliments and blends with the cypress’ own and the two facets twist and turn together like smoke rising from wood which isn’t quite dry enough to properly burn.

Heart notes

As the fragrance ages on the skin, not much of the ylang-ylang is noticeable, but there is a heady buzziness to the fragrance which this element is perhaps responsible for. The whole composition is very aromatic and heavily spiced, it rises in clouds from the body like a fragrant plume.

The bitter, green-tinged spiciness continues with the cinnamon leaf and vetiver. There is also something in the mix which calls to mind that sharp quality of something like violet leaf, only not as dry. The greenery here is almost crunchy with the way that it wears, whether that is the crackle of branches popping on the fire, or the susurration of cypress fronds as the wind moves them, either way there is a very determined and single minded edge about this scent which feels like it will appeal to purposeful people.

Base notes

Any juices that may have resided in the leathery greenery dry up as we reach the final phase of a wear of Routes Nomades. The haze of smoky incense clouds the picture, but the bitterness of the smoke chimes nicely with the fading bitter greenery. Spiced elements mingle with the smoky incense, a little something which smells like dried ginger, hints of cinnamon, perhaps even something a little clove-like. Routes Nomades becomes darker, a little more dangerous and thrilling, a touch moodier as it goes on.

Incense, leather, and just a hint of sweeter patchouli are the watchwords for the final few bars of this scent which is rugged and action packed throughout. The sort of scent which will appeal to adventurers and go getters who want to venture off the beaten path but who want to smell elegant and put together as they do. A single minded fragrance with a sense of dogged determination about it, Routes Nomades, isn’t for the faint hearted or weak willed. This is a scent for when you know your own mind, your direction of travel, and for when you want to get there with the least amount of faff.

The other stuff

The longevity of Routes Nomades is really good – lasting at least eight, and often more like ten or twelve hours following application. The projection of the fragrance is also really good, it travels to beyond handshake distance without really appearing to try, and trails very nicely.

Routes Nomades is a fragrance which would wear well in warmth and the hotter months of the year. It feels like a scent which will cope with that level of temperature rather nicely – and, given it’s pedigree, that is very much likely to be the case. Routes Nomades is a fragrance which will wear nicely in the day, but it is punchy enough to take you through to the evening as well, should you so desire.

One of the things which is particularly satisfying about this scent is the sprayer – it dispenses an even, fine mist. Not enough brands pay enough attention to their sprayers, but this one is particularly delightful!

The brand

Ojar are a brand who straddle both Eastern and Western fragrance influences, but rather than feel disjointed, the brand has taken these influences and come up with a well-thought out concept which comfortably sits with both. The Ojar scents are available as oils as well as spray fragrances, meaning that they are easy to layer, and cater to customers who want scents of either type.

It is the EdP spray version of Routes Nomades which we have considered here.

Buy it

Routes Nomades is available from the Ojar web boutique but customers in Europe need to email their team to place an order. You can also buy Routes Nomades from Harrods where it is priced at £195 for 100ml of EdP.

Header image by Kati from Pixabay. Images of the product by The Sniff.

We were kindly gifted a bottle of this perfume by the brand, our thanks to them for their generosity.