I get my hands on a sample of Elysium which many frag-heads say is an Aventus clone, let me be the judge of that with my very own Roja Dove Elysium review.
I have absolutely no idea why a powerhouse like Roja Dove would want to replicate such a mundanely over-saturated fragrance such as Aventus. I just can’t visualise how that meeting went when brainstorming this creation.
Aventus for me is one of the most over-hyped fragrances going. Long gone are the smokey vintage batches from days gone by and nowadays we’re left with a citrus furniture cleaner that feels watered down and well… cheap.
Reading that Elysium had such key similarities to Aventus I couldn’t wrap my head around why but surely it couldn’t be EXACTLY the same, could it?
Whilst Elysium lacks in creativity and uniqueness it does take the DNA of Aventus and for me refines it.
Yes you get that god awful citrus opening (I hate most citrus fragrances) that reminds me of furniture polish but no sooner after it sting the nostrils it quickly dries down into a rather beautiful scent.
It’s basically Aventus with a better and more refined dry-down.
I’m no professional, I just say what I smell and that’s exactly what it felt like to me.
Roja Dove Elysium Notes:
Top notes: Grapefruit, Lemon, Galbanum and Lime
Middle notes: Apple, Lily-of-the-Valley, Pink Pepper, Jasmine, Woody Notes and Rose
Base notes: Ambergris, Musk, Benzoin, Leather, Vanilla and Labdanum.
The fragrance doesn’t really add much value to anyones collection being a copycat (of sorts) and there are much cheaper fragrances that have equally as nice a dry down so what can I say about Elysium?
Well, it’s a shame really.
Creed came up with their version before Roja and despite any sort of inspiration or wink and nod to Creed it just doesn’t feel right.
The harshness of this and Aventus in the opening I just can’t stand and I can’t wrap my head around anyone who genuinely thinks the citrus furniture cleaner scent smells nice in anyway shape or form.
It’s the dry down where Elysium comes into its own and whilst it’s hard to pick out individual notes (there are so many of them) in this well-blended fragrance what does come through later on is the vetiver as the citrus takes a back seat.
It has a herby scent and really comes into its own and stands out as a step-up from Aventus but it’s those harsh citrus opening notes that I just can’t endure.
If you’re more patient than me and want to wait for that dry-woody experience then be my guest as it certainly justifies the price if you can swim past that citrus air freshener opener.
Shop Roja Elysium HERE
