Reviews of Thundra by Profumum
Very earthy, rainy musky patchouli. It reminds me of Nasomatto Absinth in its musky bitter greens. A little too challenging for my taste.
Earthy, green, petrichor. Damp, loamy soil and the green leaves of the forest after a summer rain. Freshened by a touch of mint and grounded by clean, white musk. A juxtaposition of fresh and dank, light and dark, and dry earth after the rain.
ADVERTISEMENT
Thundra is a thawed chill, warming into loamy mushroom swirls, sprigs of pennyroyal and catnip, minty and cool. There are traces of petrichor, dust and dirt just dampened ever so slightly. Humus is the dark, organic component of topsoil. It is the dead and decaying material, dried leaves, twigs, grasses, vegetables, microbes, the place where seedlings and saplings thrive, that is another element of Thundra as the petrichor recedes.
I would guess that lavender aldehyde (isodihydrolavandulal) was used in this composition: wet dirt, ripened tomato undertones, blueberry, an organic fust, the more fungal aspects of lavender. This colors the composition beautifully, making it ever more beguiling. Then the heart of Thundra really comes through: the patchouli, a marvelously musty patchouli, too, that wraps its arms around all of the above and grows in, around, and through it all. A vegetal muskiness, almost like angelica root, accompanies this patchouli.
I grew up near a pond, Little Sandy Pond, and I recall that smell in my earliest memories, of fresh pond water, and I am greeted by that memory with Thundra further into the dry down. The nostalgic, wistful, feeling of being six years old at the pond. Across the pond there were houses lining its shore. Each house would be a marker to see how far I could swim out on my own before getting in over my head: I still recall what a number of these houses looked like. I can smell the pond water, feel the sun, hear the sounds, hoping to one day swim out to that last house I see on the other side revealing itself beyond the trees.
Thundra becomes that last house, beyond the trees, where I now see the distant cranberry bogs...and I am old enough to swim across the pond.
I would guess that lavender aldehyde (isodihydrolavandulal) was used in this composition: wet dirt, ripened tomato undertones, blueberry, an organic fust, the more fungal aspects of lavender. This colors the composition beautifully, making it ever more beguiling. Then the heart of Thundra really comes through: the patchouli, a marvelously musty patchouli, too, that wraps its arms around all of the above and grows in, around, and through it all. A vegetal muskiness, almost like angelica root, accompanies this patchouli.
I grew up near a pond, Little Sandy Pond, and I recall that smell in my earliest memories, of fresh pond water, and I am greeted by that memory with Thundra further into the dry down. The nostalgic, wistful, feeling of being six years old at the pond. Across the pond there were houses lining its shore. Each house would be a marker to see how far I could swim out on my own before getting in over my head: I still recall what a number of these houses looked like. I can smell the pond water, feel the sun, hear the sounds, hoping to one day swim out to that last house I see on the other side revealing itself beyond the trees.
Thundra becomes that last house, beyond the trees, where I now see the distant cranberry bogs...and I am old enough to swim across the pond.
Patchouli is said by perfumers to include a minty aspect as part of the aroma profile, and this has been accentuated here.
There was a comment in previous reviews about an unmistakable lavender note, and other reviewers have remarked on a mushroomy aspect, which is logical as mushroom is part of the lavender profile, so I would guess lavender is also part of the formula. Or they may have included materials like amyl vinyl carbinol
Although an interesting odour, Thundra is probably not that easy to wear as most people prefer to get away from musty and mushroomy smells. The mustiness hints at old books, a damp wine cellar or even a cheese shop - pleasant, but not necessarily wearable.
Could be ok for elderly academics who spend their time in libraries.
There was a comment in previous reviews about an unmistakable lavender note, and other reviewers have remarked on a mushroomy aspect, which is logical as mushroom is part of the lavender profile, so I would guess lavender is also part of the formula. Or they may have included materials like amyl vinyl carbinol
Although an interesting odour, Thundra is probably not that easy to wear as most people prefer to get away from musty and mushroomy smells. The mustiness hints at old books, a damp wine cellar or even a cheese shop - pleasant, but not necessarily wearable.
Could be ok for elderly academics who spend their time in libraries.
Profumum Thundra involves a relatively straightforward trio of mint, patchouli, and musk.
I'm generally not a fan of mint, but as with Viktor & Rolf Antidote, Thundra begins with a very tasteful use of mint in its opening, which ultimately gives way to the patchouli more so in the dry down, eventually to the point that it's basically a patchouli bomb with a hint of musk.
It smells gentlemanly and balanced at the beginning, and then mostly patchouli-dominant in the dry down. For many, I imagine this dry down is a good thing, but it's not quite for me. While I enjoy patchouli when mixed with other notes, a patchouli-dominant fragrance is rarely something I enjoy.
Thundra leans a little masculine, as I generally think of patchouli-dominant fragrances, but it's unisex enough for women. It's a great performer, as well, as is Profumum's signature, so there's value if you love the scent.
I like it and appreciate it, but just don't love it.
7 out of 10
I'm generally not a fan of mint, but as with Viktor & Rolf Antidote, Thundra begins with a very tasteful use of mint in its opening, which ultimately gives way to the patchouli more so in the dry down, eventually to the point that it's basically a patchouli bomb with a hint of musk.
It smells gentlemanly and balanced at the beginning, and then mostly patchouli-dominant in the dry down. For many, I imagine this dry down is a good thing, but it's not quite for me. While I enjoy patchouli when mixed with other notes, a patchouli-dominant fragrance is rarely something I enjoy.
Thundra leans a little masculine, as I generally think of patchouli-dominant fragrances, but it's unisex enough for women. It's a great performer, as well, as is Profumum's signature, so there's value if you love the scent.
I like it and appreciate it, but just don't love it.
7 out of 10
Not something I would seek out. It smells odd. I didn't think of mushrooms until I read some of the other posts. I'm not sure I smell shrooms, but I do smell an overall fragrance that I would have no interest in wearing. I gave it a third star because I love the house. But, this is not one of their star performers in my opinion.
This is a rather sad imitation of Bruno Acampora's Musc. It unfortunately misses the juxtaposition of unusual heart notes that make the Acampora so intriguing. Instead, it remains a sort of flat, mushroomy thing meant to approximate roots and leaves and everything forest-floor-y.
If you've never smelled Musc, then Thundra might seem unusual and evocative of the autumnal out of doors. If you have tried Acampora's Musc, you'll know why you can give this Profumum scent a pass.
If you've never smelled Musc, then Thundra might seem unusual and evocative of the autumnal out of doors. If you have tried Acampora's Musc, you'll know why you can give this Profumum scent a pass.
For a minute I thought my sample has gone bad. Then I realized this is intentional. The smell of mushroom on rotten tree trunk.
They achieve what they were trying to with this fragrance. Artistically great.
Unfortunately, not my cup of tea. I am not a big fan of mint+mushroom. And the price is just crazy.
A nice to have for $40. Avoid at the current price.
If it is forest you want get Salvador Dali PH (vintage) for -- $40 :)
They achieve what they were trying to with this fragrance. Artistically great.
Unfortunately, not my cup of tea. I am not a big fan of mint+mushroom. And the price is just crazy.
A nice to have for $40. Avoid at the current price.
If it is forest you want get Salvador Dali PH (vintage) for -- $40 :)
Genre: Woods
I can't say I'm impressed. Thundra opens with one weird combination: leafy green notes, dry woods, and mushrooms. Lots of mushrooms. The idea, I suppose, is to evoke a dim forest floor, but I have trouble smelling anything but the mushroom bin at my local grocery store. I like odd, challenging fragrances as much as (if not more than,) the next guy, but I do not want to smell like this.
Patchouli eventually floats in to prop up the mushrooms. This makes things a little more complex, but when, after thirty minutes, the whole mushroom and compost accord fades out, I'm left with something far more conventional. The remaining notes I can detect are a tart citrus, some non-descript florals, and relatively neutral woods. Once the oddball fungal accord goes there's very little sillage or projection here, and the whole show is over in about three hours. At these prices I want something more.
I can't say I'm impressed. Thundra opens with one weird combination: leafy green notes, dry woods, and mushrooms. Lots of mushrooms. The idea, I suppose, is to evoke a dim forest floor, but I have trouble smelling anything but the mushroom bin at my local grocery store. I like odd, challenging fragrances as much as (if not more than,) the next guy, but I do not want to smell like this.
Patchouli eventually floats in to prop up the mushrooms. This makes things a little more complex, but when, after thirty minutes, the whole mushroom and compost accord fades out, I'm left with something far more conventional. The remaining notes I can detect are a tart citrus, some non-descript florals, and relatively neutral woods. Once the oddball fungal accord goes there's very little sillage or projection here, and the whole show is over in about three hours. At these prices I want something more.
The Thundra's opening, as well as the others mentioned, is compelling, an unquestionably woodsy and aromatic blend of lavender, mushrooms, green leaves, mint and camphoraceous notes. You are ideally teleported on the borders of a russian birchs forest, in a cold weather, the smell is moody, silent, sulphureous, resinous and very aromatic ( herbs, eucalyptus and lavender). An earthy patchouli, flanked by tart citrus, roots its backbone down in the depth of this silvan ground. May be some dried fruits or flowers are comprised in the blend. The smell is very earthy in its chord of patchouli, herbs and mushrooms. You can inhale the wet earth along this initial woodsy and rugged stage. Unfortunately the spell lasts a while, just the time the gassy note of mushrooms together with the general cold harshness fade and a more bright (but highly pricey), musky, ambery, mild and woody base takes the scene. Evocative and meditative.
Pretty much what several of the reviewers have mentioned:Fabulous opening...if you happen to like that scent (which I find very exciting & powerful) but it just doesn't last very long at all.It quickly morphs into something quite nondescript.And at the price this juice goes for...not very practical for refreshing every half hour to maintain that opening blast.Too bad because did the opening last long or it was a lot cheaper, this would likely become a staple in my rotation.
Leaves, mint, patchouli, white muskThis is a delightful and distinctive scent, somewhat delicate and yet having a lot of character. I find it to be very minty, but that is not a problem. No toothpaste here, rather what I find is a great green-leafy sort of mint. Now this is the way to achieve a fresh cool note, a beautiful natural-smelling path rather than the usual tiresome ozonic and synthetic-smelling elements! The mint reaches into every phase of this scent. The opening is a leafy green mint. The brown earth tones of bark, soil and forest floor have a cool tone. The light patchouli is framed by mint. And the gorgeous musk is balanced by mint. I think this is a well-designed scent. Although it is not a fougere, it evokes the same cheery vibrant mood as my favorite Trumper's Wild Fern. My only reservation is the price! Otherwise, it's a winner in my opinion.
I wish this didn't morph into the patchouli base so quickly. If the top notes stayed around a bit longer, I'd easily splash out the $250 odd for this scent. Easily. The mint and mushroom smoky mustiness is really pretty damned cool. I find this easily wearable. But that lasts all of about 20-30 minutes and then its a nice enough, but let's face it, pretty straightforward patch.However, at these prices, I'm not all that jazzed for a bit of interesting smoke and mirrors that's all front-loaded.
This is currently my favorite fragrance. I love it all the way from the opening blast of mushroom-like earthiness, all the way down to its indescribable other-worldly finish. Longevity is typical of the Profumum line --- legendary. I ordinarily turn almost apoplectic from spending $240 on 100ml of fragrance, but this juice is worth every penny for me. I just can't say enough about it.
SirSlarty is right, I could swear this opened with a big blast of lavender! I was hoping for dead leaves and mushrooms, but all I get is lavender, eucalyptus (I know it's supposed to be mint but that's what I perceive), patchouli and some camphor. Instead of a damp, cool, earthy scent this is a dry, aromatic, throat-clearing, soapy-clean lavender potpourri. A tad earthy from the patchouli, yes, but earthy in a sharp and dusty way, not like moist soil or a frosty thundra or whatever. It reminds me of some cheap perfume oil from BPAL also failing miserably at evoking gloomy nature. It gets a neutral thumb for originality and daring. I guess it's no worse than Serge Lutens' lavender/incense concoctions which I also don't like.
Mint, my arch nemesis. Here Mr. Mint dresses the part of the Ms. Patchouli giving a very weird illusion of Sir Lavender. Very odd creature this is.
Profumum - Thundra: opens with a very cool, wet, MINT note with a underlying touch of green, this openin note is soo good, so good that one may just drop $240 for this one....the opening notes is impressive the same way PG's Corp et ames is....half an hour past, the mint note fades away completely..leaving a very "earthy, almost barren note" with a lesson in patchouli...this phase is very true and smells like "real earth+patchouli". This phase hangs in for quite some time then moving to a powdery trail of dust and "WOOD" + a smell which is very very similar to gentleman(the note tht makes gentleman, the scents it is) and or PG's Corps et ames..i would like to say theres leather, but im confused whether its leather or earthy notes...overall, a pretty good experience; very realistic, enjoyable, wearable, intriguing one with damp earthy notes and one of the finest Patchouli, it'd like to add ever, but, lets say its nice.
Thundra is indeed weird. It opens with a strange aromatic green / herbal accord that seems designed by committee, with each committee member choosing his/her favorite note without consideration for balance or refinement of the outcome. There are no mushrooms for me in this aromatic herbal green salad nothing but annoying green things. Next I get quick flashes of dirt that, for several minutes, fades in and out of the now-medicinal herbal accord this could only mean that the patchouli has shown up in the salad. Finally there is a mediocre flloral base: There are just too many flaws in this fragrance. Thundra is a losing proposition all around … it just does not work for me. (Edit of 23 May 2008 review.)
I detect a light patchouli and musk, with very little mint. The mint might have helped. The overall effect is ethereal, certainly it is not an earthy fragrance, as patchouli and musk would suggest. Rather, it is more sea and sky. Light and appealing to some, I find it insubstantial and without context-- it is on the cutting edge (or the bleeding edge) of unisex, neither masculine or feminine. It is a fragrance of uncertain commitment; not objectionable, not common, not particularly compelling either.
A rather medicinal scent that smells like a mix of some pungent ointment (must be mint) and a vintage no-nonsense men's cologne. Not unpleasant, but I don't really see what would be an appropriate occasion to wear this. It's not exactly a formal scent, but then you won't call it casual either. Also, don't be misled by the name - there's no moss, sparkling cold air or vast empty expanses of the tundra.
I recently bought a bottle of this ($180) after sampling it from LuckyScent. I have to say this is the most unique and beautiful scent I have ever tried (And owned). After the "Musty Leaves" smell at the beginning, the drydown leads to a complex Floral. It's not too feminine though, just right to be worn by both sexes. By far my favorite scent in a medium sized wardrobe. Try it, then buy it.
This is the second of four Profumum scents I bought online as 1/32 oz. samples. From the sample vial, this is sharply lime zesty - almost overpoweringly so. On the skin, at first there's a bit of struggle to see exactly what form the green aromas will take - will it be mint, cedar or lime pith? There's also a spicy aroma like ozone, or concrete, and some subtle, clean musky notes. During the drydown, the lime fades somewhat, giving way to almost a sweet white chocolate note and more flowery musk. This is subtle - there's not much sillage and the scent is rather fleeting, but up close, it's very well made and thoughtfully composed. It's almost like you're making a mojito in a forest after a rainstorm, oddly enough.