Atomic Apple Pecan Pie
Cologne, Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements (2023)

This one exceeded my expectations. I anticipated Atomic Apple Pecan Pie being too much like a candle, wearing too heavily, or smelling too much like a bay rum. I actually find it rather deft and am pleased with both its nuance and comfortable performance.

The opening has an almost buttery quality reminiscent of flaky pie crust. The apple is here, too, but it’s not a juicy, candied, or obnoxiously surrealistic kind of apple. As the buttery aspects fade, a cinnamon spice note comes fairly strongly to the fore. At this point, it really does smell quite a bit like freshly baked apple pie. That said, it’s not SO gourmand nor SO realistic as to make me think of candles, bakeries, or Thanksgiving dessert. The overall effect in the first hour of wear is light, and there’s a crispness that makes this an almost year-round fragrance (though I think it’s best suited for fall).

As it dries down, Atomic Apple Pecan Pie gets spicier, but despite the name, it’s not the same kind of spice I get from PAA’s Atomic Age Bay Rum. It’s less piquant. The spice is all but gone in the base, where I mostly get a soft, vague sweetness, with perhaps a toasted nut or two. Here it’s a little boring, but pleasant. For an amped up version of this base, PAA’s Frosted Planet would be worth a try.

I wound up purchasing the EDP of Atomic Apple Pecan Pie (with a discount it’s ~$25 for 30ml) to see if it improved performance or enhanced the base; I find it smells and performs similarly. The spice is a touch heavier in the heart of the EDP, but otherwise it’s nearly identical to the aftershave/cologne.

Overall, I like this but don’t love it. Atomic Apple Pecan Pie is a seasonal/limited release. If you like gourmands, it’s worth a sample if it ever returns. For a less elegant take, there’s always Frosted Planet. Neutral.