Just in time for the cold season, the American niche fragrance label Commodity is treating us to three spicy scents in different variations: Spice, Spice, and Spice+. After getting to know the cool trio of the Ice(d) series and the non-milky Milk Orchid fragrance this past spring, things are now getting warmer, cozier, and thus more wintery.
Missed it?
· Commodity – modern niche fragrances from the U.S.
· Commodity Juice – a fragrance full of energy
· Commodity Milk Parfum – a fragrance like a second skin [+Giveaway]
· Commodity Gold Parfum – a sensual fragrance with a golden shimmer
· Commodity Book – when eucalyptus invites you to read
· Commodity Moss – Join us on a walk through the woods
· Let’s get Ice(d) – The cool scents from Commodity
· Milk Orchid by Commodity – the milky scent that doesn’t want to be just any scent
Saffron Sunset – Spice at Its Best
Commodity’s new fragrance trilogy is all about spices—specifically, saffron. Childhood memories of Vicken Arslanian, Commodity’s re-founder, play a very special role in this. He grew up in Kuwait, where terracotta-colored sand, dusty landscapes, and dry heat shaped his childhood. Added to this were the intense spice aromas of his family’s Armenian cuisine and the sugar-soaked desserts that were so wonderfully rich and sweet. He wanted to capture all these aromas and impressions in a fragrance trilogy.
Perfumer Christelle Laprade developed the three Spice creations inspired by a Saffron Sunset, which evokes the fiery-red desert landscape at sunset. She herself had chai in mind when creating them—that spicy, milky black tea that delights both the palate and the nose.
A hallmark of the Commodity fragrance house is its three-part fragrance line, which interprets a central theme in different ways: in the Personal Collection as a subtle, understated, and intimate fragrance backdrop; in the Expressive Collection as a balanced, yet distinctive all-rounder suitable for everyday use, and in the Bold Collection as a powerful, expressive olfactory companion intended more for special occasions or the evening.
Spice – Personal Collection
So let’s start by taking a look at Spice-, the fragrance from the Personal Collection. As the most subtle scent in the Spice line, I expect a transparent, light, and skin-close creation with light hints of chai that envelops me like a warm, spicy veil. I wonder if that’s actually the case?
Top notes: saffron, allspice
Middle notes: cinnamon, sugar, milk
Base notes: musk, ambroxan
Spice- opens with a wonderfully spicy scent profile. More intense than expected, the composition reveals subtle hints of saffron and the peppery heat of allspice in the top notes. Very slowly and gradually, a milky sweetness emerges, accompanied by delicate notes of cinnamon and soft, powdery accents. The fragrance ultimately fades away with these seductive nuances.
Spice- is a well-balanced, harmonious spice fragrance that feels so cozy and comforting, it makes me want to curl up on the sofa. Enveloping, soft, and warm, this eau de parfum is perfect for the cooler months and ideal for anyone who loves spicy, comforting scents with hints of chai. With moderate sillage and good longevity, Spice by Commodity is a pleasant fragrance companion for any occasion.
Spice – Expressive Collection
I wonder: Could it get any better? Let’s find out. Spice from Commodity’s Expressive Collection was inspired by the intense colors and aromas of an oriental spice market. To match this, the ingredient list has been upgraded and expanded to include a few additional ingredients.
Top notes: saffron, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg
Middle notes: cinnamon, sugar, milk
Base notes: tonka bean, sandalwood
Spice opens with a noticeably sharper, spicier, and more distinctive character than Spice-. Allspice and nutmeg are clearly perceptible, and cardamom, with its aromatic, greenish freshness, also adds its own accents. As the fragrance develops, the composition gradually becomes softer and creamier thanks to spicy-sweet milky notes, which are rounded out in the base by vanilla-like tonka bean and warm, velvety sandalwood.
The Eau de Parfum from the Expressive Collection is perfect for anyone who likes bold, spicy scents with a soft finish. Naturally, Spice really comes into its own during the cooler months, though I wouldn’t describe the fragrance as an all-rounder. It’s less suitable for the office and more suited for leisure time or special occasions.
Spice+ – Bold Collection
Let’s now turn to Spice+ from the Bold Collection—the very line that, according to Commodity, revolves around opulent, intense, and powerful interpretations of each fragrance theme. “Room-filling” is a word that comes to mind. Since Spice was already quite expressive, I’m now very curious to see just how much more power Spice+ has. The list of notes is a bit shorter this time, but it includes safraleine—a particularly long-lasting and potent ingredient—which could possibly give the composition a certain punch. We’ll see!
Top notes: Saffron, allspice
Middle notes: Cinnamon, sugar, milk, saffron flax
Base notes: Tonka bean
And indeed, Spice+ has a strong saffron presence right from the start. Spicy, leathery, and darker than the other creations in this line, this addition to the Bold Collection clearly leans toward saffron, which is underscored by the aromatic heat of allspice. Very slowly, a delicate sweetness creeps into the fragrance, slightly softening the powerful spicy opening. Cinnamon-like milky notes join in, providing further softening and further emphasizing the sweet facets of the creation. As the fragrance develops, Spice+ becomes more subdued and ultimately fades away with spicy, creamy notes of saffron and tonka beans.
Even though this fragrance has a really powerful opening, the eau de parfum gradually mellows out. And yet, Spice+ comes across as significantly darker, more leathery, and with more intense saffron notes than the other two versions. Spice+ is also more of a fragrance for the evening or a night out than for the office. Perfect for fall and winter.
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