FRAGRANCE | Whiskey EDP by Commodity: A concept lost in translation

halfwhiteboy - Commodity Whiskey EDP

When I saw the name Whiskey, I was of course anticipating a boozy scent, much like how whiskey is given prominence in fragrances like Areté by Gritti and Tom Ford Tobacco Oud. Alas, Whiskey EDP by Commodity is not!

Instead I was greeted with a confusing, rubbery accord along the lines of latex gloves. I waited a few more minutes but it was still the same, so I dug my nose deep into where I sprayed and only then could I get some sweet, fruity facets buried underneath that rubbery overtone. Initial projection is moderate but it easily starts to soften after an hour or so. The rubber accord also begins its gradual exit around this time.

I read the accompanying literature and was even more confused. It says it's woody, warm, nuzzly. I turned to Fragrantica and it is supposedly woody, with aromas of aged whiskey barrels. But I get no wood. And no matter how hard I try to convince myself that there is wood, there still is none. Well, maybe there is; I just don't detect it. What I get is some vanilla in the drydown. And how does that relate to whiskey? Or of whiskey barrels?

Alright, overall the scent is just fine, and I have no problem wearing it even with its less than desirable longevity on my skin. But for me Whiskey by Commodity is a case of a vision—no matter how clear—that just wasn't successfully translated into a fragrance. Others like Margiela's Replica By the Fireplace have fared way better in executing concept to reality. But confusion aside, I'd still say give it a try because who knows, you may end up liking it.

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