Tango, Masque Milano

Tango by Masque Milano

Cécile Zarokian, you mad, mad genius.

I’ve been a fan of her work for a very long time. The nose behind Silver Oud, Royal Tobacco, Material, Private Label, and even many MDCIs has to be one of the greatest perfumers of our time.

A little while ago, I discovered Tango.

This is liquid gold.

It’s a masterclass in perfumery- where a conventionally clean note like amber is infused with just the right amount of oomph. Not challenging, just perfect. Cumin takes charge alongside amber to form a spicy concoction. Florals blend in seamlessly, particularly jasmine and a (negligible) touch of rose. Sandalwood begins to assert itself, though it’s far from the only woody note here; cedar in the form of sawdust- easily identifiable. And lastly, benzoin. Oh, what a beauty.

The entire concoction starts to smell like a well-dressed someone wearing a lovely floral headband, who has perhaps overdone a pot full of amber, cumin, and a tinge of honey (even though that really shouldn’t be on the stove). And because the stove runs a little too long, it develops a lightly incense-smoky structure, finished with a metallic kick. Yum.

Another way to describe it would be a spicy, musky, sweaty amber, very well suited for winter. But that feels too banal. I’d rather cook something up.

This fragrance sparked my love affair with amber. And the absolutely perfect amount of cumin has me drooling.

A few days ago, I layered Tango with Overture Man, and good God, I haven’t recovered from that olfactory bliss. I doubt I’ll ever stumble upon a more perfectly suited pair.

So yes, ladies and gentlemen: liquid gold.

Liquid gold that shines when the temperature drops.