Berlin Im Winter.

Berlin Im Winter was conceived as a scent‑portrait of the German capital under a cold, gray sky. Spyros Drosopoulos captured the city’s stark beauty in 2015, blending the crisp bite of lavender with the sweet depth of plum and the smoky edge of Irish coffee. The fragrance emerged from Baruti’s Rotterdam lab, a laboratory‑like atelier where the former neuroscientist‑turned‑perfumer experiments with texture and memory.

What makes the composition stand out is the daring marriage of Greek mastic’s resinous clarity with the rich, almost boozy warmth of whisky‑toned coffee, then anchoring everything in a heart of rose and iris. The base layers oud, frankincense and leather, creating a smoky, animalic trail that feels both familiar and unsettling, a paradox that Baruti relishes.

The opening erupts in the first ten minutes with a bright burst of plum and blackcurrant leaf, softened by lavender’s herbaceous edge and the sharp, roasted sting of Irish coffee. A whisper of Greek mastic follows, adding a piney, slightly sweet resin that steadies the initial fruit. By the 15‑ to 30‑minute mark the heart unfolds: rose petals and iris bloom, while the lingering coffee note deepens into a creamy, slightly bitter warmth. Mastic or lentisque continues to echo, giving the middle a mineral‑green undercurrent. As the fragrance settles into the drydown after about 45 minutes, the base asserts itself. Oud and frankincense from Oman lay a smoky, incense‑laden foundation, while leather and myrrh add a dry, animalic richness. Amber sweetens the edges, and a final trace of oriental spice lingers on the skin for the remainder of the day, keeping the scent present for 8‑10 hours on most wearers.

Since its 2015 debut, Berlin Im Winter has been hailed as the house’s charismatic rebel, a winter staple praised for its bold coffee‑oud core. Wearers note its strong sillage and 8‑10 hour longevity, making it a favorite for cold‑weather evenings and underground gatherings where its smoky warmth stands out among more conventional orientals.