The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Forest 2020 Edition launched in 2020 as a refined reissue within Rook Perfumes' lineup. The fragrance tightens and sharpens the brand's earlier naturalistic ideas into something more deliberate and composed, and what emerges is a scent that reads less like a collection of individual notes and more like a single coherent environment. Pine, cypress, damp soil, a thread of smoke from somewhere unseen. The whole composition builds toward atmosphere rather than a conventional green fragrance's familiar mix of pine-and-cedar. The intent is a forest that smells like a forest, with the cool bite of conifers, the mineral tang of wet earth, and a faint resinous warmth holding it all together. Forest 2020 Edition aims for the green fragrance that smells like a place rather than a candle.
What makes the composition unusual is the inclusion of cannabis alongside frankincense and black pepper in the heart. It disrupts the conventional pine-and-cedar woods formula with something botanical, slightly herbal, and unexpectedly contemporary. The cannabis reads as a green leafiness that softens the conifer sharpness without adding sweetness, while the frankincense weaves a thin resinous thread that pulls the heart toward something more meditative. Black pepper adds a quiet snap at the edges, a subtle heat that catches you off guard between the cooler notes.
The evolution
The opening hits fast, with pine needles and cypress sharpened by a fresh, almost mentholated brightness that lifts off the skin within minutes. There's a menthol-like quality that pierces through, then recedes as the heart emerges. Woody notes, black pepper, and a thread of incense settle in around the 20-minute mark, joined by grass and the distinctive herbal presence of cannabis. The frankincense arrives here too, giving the mid-phase a faintly resinous warmth that contrasts the sharp green opening. Around the 2-hour mark, the composition shifts firmly into its base. Cedar and patchouli take over from the brighter conifers, white musk softens the edges, and mineral notes with earthy soil tincture anchor everything to the skin.
Cultural impact
Forest 2020 Edition carries an unconventional profile within the broader category of green fragrances. The cannabis note paired with frankincense and black pepper pushes the composition away from the familiar pine-and-cedar template, and the inclusion of soil tincture alongside mineral notes leans further into an earthy, damp register that few mainstream green fragrances attempt. The scent rewards attention, with a layering that reveals itself gradually rather than announcing itself in a single bold gesture.
The House
Rook PerfumesRook Perfumes is a London-based independent fragrance house founded in 2018 by Dr. Nadeem Crowe, an NHS emergency medicine physician who also performs in London's West End theatre. The brand occupies a distinctive position in the UK niche perfume landscape, creating scents that draw inspiration from the natural world with an emphasis on simplicity and ingredient purity. Rook positions itself as a deliberate alternative to mass-market fragrance, with each formulation reportedly requiring months of development before reaching production. The house offers a range of gender-neutral fragrances, including Forest, Undergrowth, Misk Albahr Almayit, and the 2023 release Faqqua Iris. Beyond conventional fragrance production, Rook has explored NFT-based scent experiments and collaborative projects designed to foster creative community among artists and perfumery enthusiasts.
The Creator
Nadeem CroweDark, atmospheric, and grounded in the natural world. Crowe's compositions favor earthiness and organic texture, often with an edge that feels contemporary rather than classical.
