The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Burning incense rises from an ancestral altar. Smoke curls upward through still air. At the heart of the composition sits incense, tobacco, and spice, a rich and layered center that bridges the opening and the dry down. The base settles into oud, vanilla, and sandalwood, each note adding depth and warmth to the final impression. The top notes of elemi resin, black pepper, and saffron provide an immediate brightness, a sharp clarity that cuts through before giving way to the darker elements beneath. Elemi resin brings a subtle citrus quality that lifts the opening, while black pepper adds a fine, spicy edge that tingles on the skin. Saffron contributes a warm, slightly metallic character that enriches the bright beginning and connects it to the spiced heart.
The top notes arrive and depart, clearing space for the heart, which itself yields to the base. Elemi and black pepper create an opening that is sharp and bright, immediately engaging the senses before the focus shifts inward. Saffron adds warmth and complexity to this initial phase, giving it an unexpected richness. The heart develops around incense and tobacco, their smoke and sweetness weaving together in a way that creates depth and dimension. The incense is present and aromatic, while tobacco adds a quiet counterpoint that prevents the smoke from becoming overwhelming.
The evolution
The opening arrives bright and immediate, with elemi resin providing a citrusy lift that feels clean and sharp. Black pepper adds spice, a fine tingle that wakes the senses. Saffron follows, bringing warmth that shifts the brightness toward something richer. The spice builds as the heart begins to take shape, incense smoke becoming more pronounced as the composition develops. Tobacco adds a quiet sweetness underneath, a subtle counter to the smoke that creates balance. By the time the base arrives, the composition has settled into a different register. Oud anchors the dry down, deep and resinous, refusing to disappear. Vanilla arrives late but remains, adding warmth that softens the darker woods. Sandalwood keeps everything grounded, a steady presence that holds the fragrance together.
Cultural impact
Through The Forest arrived in 2023 as part of d'Annam's debut Chapter 1 collection, positioning itself within the niche oud category. Within this space, it has attracted wearers seeking the resinous, smoky character typical of the genre without the aggressive intensity that often accompanies it. The saffron-incense pairing gives it a distinctive aromatic warmth that sets it apart from more traditional oud compositions. The smoky-woody character has found appreciation among those looking for depth without overwhelming presence.
