D.S. & Durga: $

I recall a discussion about fragrances that smell like crisp dollar notes, Wall Street by Bond No.9 being one of them. Now add $ by D.S. & Durga to the list.

Although $ has a distinctly floral-leathery aspect about it, I'd hesitate to call it a floral leather. Nor do I find any tuberose in it despite what the official listing claims. Whatever flower it is originally supposed to be, it had been stripped down to its very bare essence until its identity is no longer recognisable. This floral essence is cleverly woven around what I perceive to be styrax, with white musk giving it just enough lift before tonka rounds it off smoothly in the base.

$ smells quite fabulous, an elegantly masculine leathery musk which bears some passing resemblance to the edgy-but-uppity Cuir de Russie by Creed. It is modern and does indeed smell like a wad of cool, crisp hundred dollar-bills.

My only regret? Not buying more of this stuff when it was available at a hefty discount. D.S. & Durga may have taken some bold risks with some of their creations but $ is definitely on the money!