Devious

Devious is built on a clash of sharp and sweet. It opens with amaretto and bitter almond, lifted by a little bergamot, and the heart pours in sour cherry and a liqueur note with a dry grating of nutmeg. Cardamom, tonka bean, vanilla and sandalwood close it out, so the sweetness ends creamy rather than sticky. The brand frames the scent as the sour edge of a dark, forbidden thought, a poisonous idea softened by sticky sweetness. Wearers read it more simply: a cherry and almond gourmand with a boozy edge, often compared with Tom Ford Lost Cherry and judged a little sweeter and less challenging. Some find the cherry artificial or syrupy and a few feel the blend never quite settles. Most, though, find it rich and addictive, and the appreciation votes are strongly positive. Performance is moderate. Typical reports are a clear opening that settles within a couple of hours into a closer, quieter trail, with moderate projection for most wearers. A minority say it fades quickly on skin, while others find it clings to fabric into the next day, so a sample worn on both skin and cloth is worth trying before a full bottle. Cooler months suit it best: autumn and winter lead the season votes, and night leads day. Devious is one half of a contrasting pair with Sincere. The house suggests layering the two, though wearers are split on whether the pairing improves either. Choose Devious if you want a dark, liqueur-like gourmand with a tart edge rather than a smooth vanilla. It comes as a 50ml extrait de parfum with a 20% oil concentrate.