Palindrome II

SANTI BURGAS Palindrome II has a backbone you feel immediately: patchouli here is not a final embellishment, but a dark woody axis around which the entire fragrance revolves. If you expect only damp earth and a retro character from patchouli, this one will show you how refined and tense it can be.

The opening is illuminated by Calabrian bergamot, but the freshness doesn't remain alone. Black and white pepper, Nigerian ginger, and cardamom quickly give it warmth and a slight tingle, as if embers are igniting under the citrus's skin.

Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Santi Burgas conceived the composition like a palindrome: you can follow its motifs forward and backward, while patchouli remains present from beginning to end. Angelica root provides a dry, almost dusty edge, and sugarcane introduces sweetness without being dessert-like.

As it settles, rose and Chinese osmanthus soften the spices, but the leather accord and castoreum don't allow it to become a polite floral fragrance. Labdanum, leather, and Mexican vanilla create a warm, somewhat animalic depth.

On the skin, it moves from a flash of pepper to a darker, resinous texture, with cinnamon leaf occasionally bringing back a dry, spicy kick. It's not for you if you want a clean, airy patchouli; here, it is dense, carnal, and consciously dramatic.

The best moment comes when bergamot merely shimmers through the base, and patchouli, leather, and vanilla remain locked on the same axis — it is then that Palindrome II lives up to its name.