Gentleman’s Nod Damascus No.1 (Claude Dir) 2024 + Scimitars and Spices Giveaway.

Gentleman’s Nod Damascus No.1

Gentleman’s Nod Damascus No.1 via the brand

To introduce Steven’s video of Gentleman’s Nod Damascus I asked Creative director Chris Christiansen to share his creative process-Michelyn

“Both Damascus steel and perfume development are a combination of art of science that weave and layer multiple ingredients into a unique composite. In times past, the trade, process and formulas were highly guarded secrets. Damascus steel swords were some of the finest swords ever made and renowned for their beauty, strength and sharpness. The English broadsword was no match for the smaller, lighter Damascus Scimitar. Just like owning a fine perfume in this period, owning a Damascus blade was reserved for the elite. The use of Damascus blades began to decline in the 16th century concurrently with the prevalence of gunpowder. During this same period, tobacco was first introduced in the markets of Damascus by Spanish traders.

Gentleman’s Nod Damascus No.1 was created in collaboration with Sean at Carbon shaving, who designs heirloom quality razors, at times utilizing the modern form of Damascus steel in their functional art. We created this Damascus No.1 as an homage to the art and beauty of perfumery, Damascus steel, and the renowned markets of the historic city. The colors, design, and illustrations serve to highlight the beauty and history of Damascus steel. The fragrance transports the wearer to the ancient city and its markets where the aromas of spices, dried fruits, and roses swirled through the air. 

The composition is nothing short of magical in its interplay as an ambrée both woody and spicy, wonderfully executed by master perfumer Claude Dir and bottled at 35% extrait strength.

-Chris Christiansen

 

Video Contributor Steven Gavrielatos reviews Gentleman’s Nod Damascus No.1

Top Notes: Black Pepper, Cardamom, Fig Milk; Heart Notes: Saffron, Orris, Davana, Rose de Grasse; Dry Down: Cistus,Cypriol, Tobacco, Sublimolide™, Patchouli

Bottle sent to Steven, opinions his own

Thanks to the generosity of Gentleman’s Nod, we have a 50 ml bottle of  Damascus No.1 parfum extrait for a registered ÇaFleureBon registered reader and a Redolessence subscriber USA & CANADA ONLY, (if you are not sure if you are registered click here – you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment on this site with what strikes you about BOTH CHRIS CHRISTIANSEN’S INTRODUCTION AND STEVEN’S VIDEO review of Gentleman’s Nod Damascus and where you live. Draw closes 2/2/ 2025, and the winner will be announced within a week after.

Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod is 177th in our American perfumer series, read his profile here.

Enjoy Rachel’s review of Musashi, Olya’s take on Passion Poivree, Steven’s video review of TUSITALIA and Lawman

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26 comments

  • Ramses Perez says:

    You had me at dry and spicy with this one. The inspiration being the usage of Damascus steel swords makes sense because of the sharpness and dryness of the scent. Cardamom and tobacco are notes I appreciate on a fragrance and they do lean a bit more masculine which ties to the inspiration behind it. A true unique and off the cuff fragrance I’d say. I’m located in the USA.

  • Shontel Bordelon says:

    Sounds fantastic!! Steven always does an awesome job describing the fragrance. I can almost smell it as he speaks, Lol…..Tobacco & Patchouli are my all time favorite dry down notes… Hope to try this soon!! From Louisiana.

  • Atefeh says:

    It’s very good for fall and winter, if I win it I will give it to my brother, this is his perfume, thank you so much for your videos, helps a lot.

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    Love the notes in this fragrance. I’m a fan of Gentlemen’s Nod. Outlaw is amazing and I hear great things about Damascus No. 1.

    Steven mentions one of my favorite notes in this fragrance, tobacco. I’ve tried a few from this brand and I know the quality it top notch.

    Would love to add this one to my collection.

  • Sybelle16 says:

    From Chris’s introduction: Gentleman’s Nod Damascus No.1 was inspired by Damascus steel and perfume development; both utilize scientific artistry in their perspective mediums–weaving and layering multiple ingredients into unique compositions. the heavily guarded secrets of Damascus sword making, meant these swords were valued and renowned for their beauty, strength and sharpness. Tapping into that history, a collaboration with Carbon Shaving, who design heirloom razors using modern Damascus steel, this scent is a homage to the history, beauty and art of both perfumery and craftsmanship of Damascus metal.

    For Steve, this is a dark, charismatic, sophisticated dry, spicy and smooth cardamom fragrance. This a perception of sweetness from the resin, though the fragrance still leans on the dry side; it has an earthy, herbal quality with a focus on a powdery orris, cardamom and cistus in the dry down. The saffron here leans more masculine and leatherier for him. The Spiciness from pepper along with a dry tobacco are the standouts–though other notes like nutmeg, that while not listed in the notes, might be present.

    This scent would be good in the Fall and especially, the colder months. He feels this scent has brute force–longevity and sustenance. This scent is a departure for the brand and is unique, beautiful and stand out amongst other cardamom tobacco fragrances, it’s perfect for a night out or if you want to impress.

    USA

  • Kelley Baysinger says:

    As always, appreciate the information shared by redolessence videos. I have purchased many items reviewed and am anxious to try this one.

  • brentm says:

    I love the use of steel for the label on the bottle, the back story for Damascus steel brings it full circle. The notes of cardamon and tobacco makes this a fragrance that would be similar to a lot of my favorite fragrances and I would love to try.

  • Jason Accime says:

    I like your videos. You’re on point with reviews. Some guys just push the perfumes that they are earning commissions. I will continue to watch.

  • YitzyR says:

    Spicy, dry, and herbal = longevity.
    Cardamom,black pepper, saffron tobacco sounds amazing. And yes I love YLS lhomme so I’m looking forward to smelling this. Thanks you Steven for your insight

  • opalbear says:

    Ooh I love a cardamon forward fragrance. And the inspiration for this is an amazing choice. Steven is a great describer of details which I appreciate such as if the tobacco note is dry or wet (dry). I have not tried this house so I’m especially excited to try this one. I’m located in the USA.

  • CalebZ says:

    A layered perfume designed for the elite! Sounds luxurious. Looks like they offer $5 samples so I might have to pick up a few to check out this line.

  • Doni says:

    I’m still waiting on the smello-vision tech too. lol Interestingly, a friend of mine actually has a Damascus scimitar on display in his office, something he obtained from his long family lineage. Really quite a remarkable piece and he guards it rather jealously. And for good reason. Never visited the city myself, but definitely agree that it’s renowned for its historic markets. Also wouldn’t be a bad time to wear a fragrance that captures the vibe since spicy fragrances never go amiss in the cooler weather.

    Big fan of both tobacco and cardamom fragrances – including LNDL like Steven mentioned – so it’s quite possible this one will be up my alley. No need to limit it to formal occasions though! Good to get Steven’s take. But it did take me a little while to figure out that Tus-Italia was actually Tusitala. lol Haven’t smelled that one either. Fortunately, this one sounds like a simpler composition; although I certainly am a fan of Claude’s work for George Zaharoff, who I think has done a collab with the brand as well. And of course, George’s Signature is a wonderfully masculine take on the neo-fougere genre so it fits the GN vibe beautifully. Loving the presentation on Damascus No.1 since cylindrical bottles with wooden caps are kinda my thing, and the metal likely adds some extra weight. A very unique concept for a fragrance, and one that I’ll be sure to inform my friend about. Perhaps he’ll have something to accompany his historic piece. Appreciate the takes! From Canada.

  • Jason King says:

    I appreciate your content. It’s helped me with the start of rebuilding my frag collection. Keep it up!

  • Froaderick says:

    Storytelling through perfume is such an art form. Chris Christiansen’s backstory for this fragrance is intriguing, especially for those of us who are nerds for history. Collaborating with Carbon shaving is an interesting method for building an heirloom quality fragrance. Steven’s comparison to La Nuit de L’Homme has me sold immediately. Better longevity and a dry tobacco note on top of it-winner winner (you know the rest…lol). Can’t wait to get my nose on this! Cheers from Ohio! 🙂

  • Annika says:

    I always gravitated towards wood-centric perfumes that were arid and dry as opposed to those that had sweet notes. The spice imparted by the pepper and saffron sounds bracing. It sounds like the usually sweet cardamom is tempered by the orris and a dry tobacco note. Sounds quite interesting. Would love to try it. MD, USA.

  • mmerline says:

    Christiansen finds inspiration for Gentleman’s Nod in interesting places—I was curious how Dir interpreted the beauty, precision, and mystique of Damascus steel as a fragrance. That 35% extrait strength is certainly potent. Steven’s video was helpful for getting a sense of how it actually smells. Interesting that Damascus No.1 combines smooth cardamom and dry tobacco, that there’s a bit of earthiness for texture, and that there’s very little sweetness to balance out the dark, woody notes. It sounds great.

    I’m in the USA.

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    The inspiration being the usage of Damascus steel swords makes sense because of the sharpness and dryness of the scent. Cardamom and tobacco are notes I appreciate on a fragrance and they do lean a bit more masculine which ties to the inspiration behind it. From PA,USA

  • ThatMulattoDude says:

    Very impressed by this brand. I was fortunate enough to win Passion Poivree in a past giveaway and really enjoy that scent; very fruity with the right amount of pepper to accentuate that and it has a freshness about it. I like the profile of this particular offering; spicy with cardamom. It’s also nice to see the collaboration to highlight the quality and prestige of Damascus steel. Appreciate the giveaway opportunity. Many blessings from Virginia, USA.

  • foreverscents says:

    I enjoyed reading Chris Christiansen’s introduction. I did not know that Damascus was once known for steel and blades. I imagine that Damascus No.1 will transport the wearer to an ancient city of spice and roses.
    I also enjoyed, as always, Steven’s video review. The dry and spicy fragrance appeals to me. I love herbal and earthy fragrances, as well as fragrances with substance. The cardamom, saffron, and tobacco are notes I enjoy wearing. I like that it’s not too sweet or too floral. A dry and dark tobacco sounds wonderful.
    I live in the USA.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Never thought of these steel items as art before. I’d love to be transported to a market of spices, dried fruits and roses. That is a high concentration. Yes, Steven I love sophisticated cardamon fragrances. I love that there’s a touch of nutmeg detected. I’d love to win this and gift it to my hubby. Thanks for the chance. USa.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the great review Steven!

    Damascus No. 1 is a fragrance that presents a complex and intriguing experience inspired by Middle Eastern perfumery. It opens with a vibrant blend of spices, with saffron being a prominent note, bringing a warmth with a subtle leathery texture into the mix. There is a fruity sweetness from the fig that combines nicely with this spices. The floral heart brings about this more rounded and balanced style, rose and jasmine creating this luxurious element and softening the sharper elements introduced at the beginning. These florals and the supporting aromas lead into a base of sandalwood and amber creating a warm, almost balsamic drydown, which helps build upon all those other different unique elements present in the top and mid. It has been said to have this “scimitar sharpness” in its design which makes the contrasting elements a major factor to the overall style and helps highlight its inspiration behind its creation, really showing the experience to what its aim has become, which provides for a wonderful fragrance overall. The fragrance journey takes you from those spice markets into this warm more grounded style, leaving a long lasting and wonderful aroma on the skin that evolves the longer its left to do its work.

    Cheers from WI, USA