by Bortnikoff
Sayat Nova by Bortnikoff is an intensely concentrated, gourmand woody fragrance built around a luminous, photorealistic apricot note that feels both luscious and natural. The opening bursts with juicy, ripe apricot intertwined with rum and sweet vanilla, creating a bold but well-balanced impression. The underlying oud is creamy, chocolatey, and woody—never animalic or barny—providing depth without dominating. Oakmoss and powdery elements add an earthy, chypre-like grounding that prevents the fragrance from becoming overly sweet. The scent evolves with a surprising linear elegance, maintaining its rich core throughout, and dries down into a dense, creamy vanilla and oud base with a subtle smoky warmth. Its performance is exceptional—longevity is very long, and sillage is moderate to strong, becoming almost a statement of presence. The dark, dense liquid is highly concentrated and very stain-prone, requiring careful application, especially on light fabrics. It's best worn at night or in cool seasons, and suits those who appreciate opulent, artistic fragrances with strong presence. The composition is accessible yet deeply complex, favoring those open to gourmand-oriental styles and unafraid of powerful, concentrated scent profiles.