Imperium
Electimuss (2019)

Imperium by Electimuss (2019) is an unsurprisingly middle-of-the-road take on the various Creed Aventus (2010), Mancera Cedrat Boise (2011), and Nishane Hacivat (2017) diaspora of fragrances, with little bits and bobs of all those mixed together. Sophia Bardelli once again shows skill in understanding the assignment and making something both balanced and enjoyable, it's just not exciting or even remotely interesting to see yet another luxury brand take on this particular style, not when umpteen million clones or variations on the theme exist (including designer ones) that do it better for less. There isn't much to see here otherwise so I'll keep this short.

The idea here is the fragrance is trying to capture the regal vibe of Imperial politicians during the height of Rome, and of course this just means lets riff on Creed's most-popular male market scent and call it a day. The rather lazy affair that is Imperium is at least well-blended, affording familiar pineapple and bergamot notes swaddled in thicker layers of vanilla than Creed, and retaining a bit of the fruity facets of Mancera Cedrat Boise, plus additional floral choices like tuberose and muguet that disrupt the norm. There's a bit more spice here too, as in a shake or two of coriander, and no real smoke like Aventus, no birch or sandalwood tones, going with guaiac wood instead. Performance is pretty dense.

If you absolutely need another high-dollar scent that by now smells like every other cash-flush doofus in a sport jacket standing around the light rail station, trying vaingloriously to look important with their "wet look" hair and Patek Philippe watch while they try to worm out of paying for a ticket to ride, be my absolute guest. These tools all look and smell the same, showcasing that money doesn't buy taste, nor affords the means to truly be an individual. There are many Aventus wannabes like it, but this one is mine. Without me, this cologne is useless, without my cologne, I am useless. Don't be like me, wear something else. Easy money on the table Electimuss is going for here, but I don't have to be okay with it. Neutral

Spicy, dry, woody, vanilla. It’s much sweeter and more vanilla-focused than the comparisons to Aventus, closer instead to the realm occupied by Ani by Nishane. I originally thought this leaned masculine because of the dry citrus and woody notes, but it's so sweet and vanilla-heavy that anyone can wear this. It does smell impressively good.

There's also a prominent oud base note that is noticeable hours after the sweetness and vanilla start to fade. That's what really sets Imperium apart from some of the "smells-alike" compaisons.

Very good projection with minimal prays and lasts most of the day.