Hindu Kush is a divisive beast, a love-it-or-hate-it scent that dares to be different. Expect a strong opening that mellows into something uniquely alluring, but be warned: this isn't a safe blind buy. Sample first, or risk smelling like a fish stall or a head shop, depending on your skin chemistry and olfactory luck.

Indian Mount chases Mancera Hindu Kush's smoky, resinous incense-and-woods signature and lands the broad strokes for pennies. The labdanum-amber warmth and guaiac smoke read true, but where Hindu Kush projects boldly for 10+ hours this stays flatter and skin-close, trading the original's funky, hypnotic depth for a more straightforward woody-amber drydown.