Double Attack.

Double Attack arrived in 2022 with a clear concept: let chocolate lead. Perfumer Christelle Laprade built the fragrance around the idea that cocoa could anchor a composition without hiding behind florals or soft notes. Bitter orange and pink pepper serve as the opening move, bright, spiced, attention-getting. The chocolate arrives as the counterattack. Not a dessert interpretation, but something darker and more complex. The citrus oils provide an immediate spark of energy before the cocoa settles in, creating a dynamic first impression that sets expectations for what follows. This is chocolate as a protagonist, not a supporting player.

The chocolate accord in Double Attack works differently than in most gourmand fragrances. It doesn't stay confined to the base, it bleeds upward. You catch cocoa in the opening, before the spices fully arrive. That movement makes the fragrance feel continuous rather than staged. The agave adds an herbal edge that keeps the sweetness from becoming syrupy, while the Madagascan cinnamon provides warmth without cloying. It's an unusual combination, and one that explains why opinions diverge. Some find it elegant; others feel the chocolate never quite settles. Either way, it's not a fragrance that fades into the background.

The opening hits like a chess opening, bitter orange, pink pepper, a spark of allspice. Sharp but not aggressive. Within fifteen minutes, the chocolate begins to surface, mixing with the spices in a way that feels unplanned. The heart adds geranium and agave, which keep the sweetness honest. No cream, no milk. This is dark chocolate, the kind that bites back. The drydown belongs to the vanilla and sandalwood, they carry the final hours, warm and close. The chocolate doesn't disappear. It just stops being the loudest voice. Performance varies significantly across different wearers, with some noting the fragrance remains noticeable for several hours while others observe it fading more quickly.

Double Attack polarizes. The cocoa-dominant profile appeals to chocolate lovers who want their fragrance to commit, while others find the cocoa-forward character overwhelming or monotonous. The price point draws criticism from those who feel comparable quality exists at lower tiers. Among niche fragrances, it takes a distinctive approach by centering chocolate as the primary olfactory statement rather than using it as a supporting element. Some appreciate this boldness while others wish for more restraint.