Slay of the Day - Stora Skuggan Mistpouffer

I know this is a small house that nobody but me seems to talk about, but god I love them. I mean, how can you not love a brand that puts an interpretive dance of their newest fragrance (Monkeyflower) on their main page:

https://www.storaskuggan.com

This is a brand that likes to have fun with itself while producing some absolutely phenomenal fragrances.

The story behind this is that a "Mistpouffer" is an unexplained sound, like a sonic boom, that comes out of the fog or under mysterious circumstances. Skuggan references the Japanese Uminari and the Native American Machimoodus as examples. No well-defined source for the origin of the noises has been identified, though many think it's the earth settling or the release of gases from deep below the seas.

Mistpouffer is Skuggan's attempt to capture the phenomenon as a fragrance that balances aquatic, smoky, and earthy notes to create a harmonious blend of natural and supernatural elements.

I think that they largely succeed. Skuggan's fragrances tell a story from beginning to end. They often start off quietly and almost imperceptibly, and build into a crescendo throughout the day until they finally taper off hours later.

My sample from LuckyScent was only 0.7mL, which was really enough for only 1 wearing. It's too bad, because I would have liked to have given this a few more wears.

Scent Profile: 9.5.

I love this. It's a citrus-floral note of bergamot and immortelle in the opening. As that gives way, it becomes more interesting and airy with fig leaf, pine, and an ozonic note that starts quiet and then builds to a loud crescendo that fills the room and becomes almost overwhelming. Then that gives way to a sweeter, earthier vetiver and aquatic accord. You get the whole story, and each phase is distinctive and unique, and each section has its own feel. It's like wearing three different fragrances at three different times of the day. I'm taking off a 1/2 point because this isn't something you can wear very often. It's a piece of art, and a statement. It's like going to the Museum of Modern Art on your birthday with a bunch of snobby art and theater friends. You might have a good time, but everyone else is going to think you're insufferable.

Performance: 10/10.

I'm at 15 hours, and it's doing very well. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and Mistpouffer is determined to take its time.

Projection: Starts out very soft and quiet, then builds into a room filler, then fades back out slowly, leaving a beautiful sillage in its wake.

Packaging: 10/10.

It tells the complete story. The bottle design is absolutely gorgeous. Having seen this bottle up close and in person, the photos don't do it justice. The ball has a pearlescent shimmer to it that catches the light and dazzles the eye. The storyline is unique and cool, and the fragrance development matches the story and enhances the overall experience.

Perceived Value: 5.0.

At $180 for 30mL, this is one of the most expensive fragrances on the market. Translated out to 100mL, it would be $600 for a typical retail bottle - more than PDM or Creed, and sliding into Boudica and Clive Christian territory. They do not sell in any other sizes, and they are impossible to find at discounters or on decant sites (Believe me, I've tried). The discovery kit is $90 for all 9 fragrances in the 2mL sample size. I would own every single fragrance in their oeuvre if I could afford it. But alas, it's not within my means.

Overall: 9.2

Solid A tier. If it were more affordable, it would land in S-Tier for sure. This is a stunning fragrance, well worth a sample and experiencing. I have experienced three others from them - Monkeyflower, Hexensalbe, and Silphium, and all have been knockouts. If you enjoy niche, this is definitely a house worth checking out.

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