Fischersund No. 23 EDP

Description

No. 23 is the smell of an old harbor: tar, pepper, salt air and pipe tobacco, worn close to the skin. It was the first fragrance from Fischersund, the Reykjavík art collective run by Jónsi of Sigur Rós and his family, and the house still calls it its best seller. Released in 2017, it comes from Jónsi's memories of working alongside his father on the big ships in Reykjavík's old harbor. Bergamot, black pepper and licorice open it, cypress and Siberian fir form a resinous heart, and birch tar, ambergris and patchouli take over in the base, with tobacco leaf and seaweed running through it. It is smoky and outdoorsy rather than sweet, a fragrance with a strong sense of place.

Scent Character

Translation: mostly woods: birch tar, fir and cypress. The spicy share is the black pepper, and the sweet share is licorice and a soft ambergris warmth, which keeps the tar from turning harsh.

Fragrance Pyramid

• Top: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Licorice
• Heart: Cypress, Siberian Fir
• Base: Birch Tar, Ambergris, Patchouli

Note: the house also names tobacco leaf and seaweed among the key elements of No. 23.

Performance

Longevity: Around 4–6 hours on skin, longer on wool or a scarf.
Sillage: Moderate.
Projection: About arm's length for the first hour or two, then close to the skin.

An honest note: reviews are mixed on staying power. Some wearers get most of a day from it, others wish it lasted longer. A spray on clothing helps a smoky scent like this one hold on.

Best Occasions & Season

Best in Fall and Winter, and on cool Spring days. It suits weekends outdoors, evenings, and relaxed or creative workplaces. Unisex. Skip it for summer heat, or if you dislike smoke: birch tar is the backbone of this fragrance, not an accent.

Concentration & Provenance

Concentration: Eau de Parfum
Perfumer: Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi)
House: Fischersund, Reykjavík, Iceland
Launched: 2017, the house's first fragrance

Try Before You Commit

Birch tar divides people, so give it a full day on your own skin first. A hand-poured 1mL decant is $6.99, a 5mL is $29.99 and a 10mL is $49.99. Our 1mL samples come in a 2mL vial filled halfway, so the vial will look half full. That is the correct amount.

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FAQ

Who makes Fischersund?
Fischersund is a family-run art collective in Reykjavík. Its fragrances are composed by Jón Þór Birgisson, known as Jónsi, the singer of Sigur Rós, and every bottle is made in Iceland.

Is No. 23 smoky?
Yes. Birch tar gives it a tarry, campfire-like smoke, balanced by pepper, licorice and fir. It reads more like a harbor or a woodshed than an incense fragrance.

Is it men's or women's?
Unisex. It leans rugged, but nothing about it is gendered.

How long does it last?
Around 4–6 hours on skin for most people, with more on fabric.