by Roja Dove
Apex by Roja Dove is a modern chypre with a complex, layered profile that evokes classic 1980s masculine fragrances. It opens with bright citrus notes—bergamot, lemon, and mandarin—balanced by a juicy pineapple heart and fresh green pine and cypress. As it dries down, a smoky, woody base emerges with leather, ambergris, patchouli, oakmoss, and balsamic resins, creating a mature, earthy, and slightly animalic character. The fragrance is both bold and refined, with a nuanced projection and long-lasting endurance—some wearers report up to 12 hours of lasting power. It has a green, spicy, aromatic core that appeals to fans of vintage chypres like Polo Green or Tom Ford’s Italian Cypress, while showing subtle similarities to Dior Sauvage Elixir, though it avoids the cloying sweetness of the latter. Its performance is consistent and impressive for a niche fragrance, though some note it sits close to the skin and projects moderately rather than aggressively.