Best Undergrowth 2020 Edition by Rook Perfumes Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

After the first rains of autumn, the woods exhale salubrious scents of peat, moss and petrichor — the ideal antidote to the scorching summer heat. Chypre-Mousse was first launched in 1914 for the dandies of the new century, and this iteration reinterprets a classic fougere with contemporary materials. This explosively aromatic blend hums with wild mint and fennel in a swirl of earthy oak moss, peppery green angelica and fresh pine. Bring the outdoors in with Chypre-Mousse.

Perfumer: Hugo Lambert

This fragrance captures the essence of a Chinese summer — the tingling mint and cool eucalyptus of dusky mountain air, the aromatics of shiso, lavender and chamomile as the darkness deepens, the grounding woods and greens of cypress, vetiver and galbanum. A dream of summer rewritten — nostalgic and gently magical.

Perfumer: Jin Yongshan

Intoxicating aromas of exotic greenery infuse the ancient Indian forest. Yet a snake on the trail of its next meal can isolate the scent of a plump rat. But a flick of its slithering tail betrays the snake, sending the rodent darting away. Thwarted, the snake curls back upon itself, only to feel the cool touch of a menacing shadow of a towering King Cobra witnessing its failure. Now the predator becomes prey and there’s no escape. Intent on a breakfast devoured whole and without mercy, the hooded king strikes. Fangs sink deep, their venom coursing through the body of the snake. Instantly paralyzing heart and lungs, the toxins set to work dissolving the flesh from the inside out.

King Cobra from Zoologist is driven by danger and a desire to dominate. It hypnotizes with camphorous notes of Ganja and petitgrain, radiating coils of aromatic spices and damp mossy soil around a body heavy with incense. Finally, after shedding a delicate green leather, the powerful king ascends to his throne. A coronation of scent, King Cobra gives you license to rule.

Perfumer: Prin Lomros

The primal sap of the forest. The dew-soaked ground releases the smell of damp earth that awakens an animal joy. A soft cloud of oak moss and mushrooms rises. Sandalwood envelops, clary sage enlivens. The benzoin drydown reveals amber and resinous notes, prowling like a wolf.

Haiti, or Ayiti in Creole, is a vibrant island of culture, resilience and natural beauty nestled in the Caribbean. Nicknamed “the land of mountains”, it boasts dynamic landscapes, where sandy beaches meet lush green mountains and dense rainforests.
At the heart of the fragrance, the essence of Haitian vetiver sings out with an earthy and woody warmth. Ayiti is a multifaceted cut emerald, its deep green mysteries flashing from mineral and rooty to smoky and wild.

Dig your hands into the wet earth and feel the tree roots straining against the soil. Birch, lava and smoke coil around Terroni, surrounding guaic wood, patchouli and vetiver with their bitter, cold heat.

Rest in the blissful shade of an orchard in the humming city of Pompeii: the year is 195 BC. Inhale the sweet aroma of ripe figs and the local pomegranate leaves heated by the sun; these entine spicy incense being smoked in the nearby temple. So anciently refreshing!

In Sanskrit, “ankura” refers to the sprouting or budding of a plant. It can also signify the seed of an idea or feeling. This uplifting green chypre teases feelings into play with its sunny opening of lemon, bergamot, mint, and the honeyed spice of helichrysum flower. Oakmoss brings shade and mystery, accompanying an earthy blend of patchouli, sage and soil tincture. At its full bloom, the smoky allure of Prachinburi oud fills the soul, turning Ankura into an enchanted forest.

Perfume: Sidonie Lancesseur

A roasty-toasty nose of matcha tea is your entry point to this delightful essay on the joys of the gently-reviving hot beverage. The nutty bitterness is supported by a beautifully calibrated blur of basil, peppermint, geranium and cedar.

Hakka is Japanese mint, which contains a higher concentration of menthol than the more familiar peppermint. This eau de parfum is an irresistible call and response between leafy green hakka, and the clear-as-a-bell appeal of jasmine, lily and lotus. White musk softly sustains this delicate, revivifying experience. Note: you may feel a cooling sensation from the minty menthol when applying on skin.