If your man smells of blackcurrant and fir cones this Christmas, it is possible he could be wearing a new scent dedicated to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
“Leaders Number One”, a perfume inspired by Putin, went on sale in Moscow on Thursday, just in time for Russians to pick them up as presents ahead of New Year’s Eve, the major festive occasion here.
The perfume costs around 6,000 roubles (£57) for a 100ml bottle. It comes in a sleek black bottle featuring a profile of the Russian president’s head and the words “Inspired by Vladimir Putin” in English.
“It’s a warm scent, a textured scent. It’s soft but at the same time it’s very firm,” said Vladislav Rekunov, the Belarus-born perfumer who came up with the scent.
The perfume went on sale in Moscow’s GUM department story on Thursday and can also be ordered online. Staff at the stand said orders had already come in from Germany and China, and they were also hoping to present a bottle to Putin himself. A limited edition of 2,000 bottles has been prepared, and the makers hope a female version will follow in the new year. Some of the sale proceeds will go towards helping disabled children.
According to the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, the perfume has notes of lemon, bergamot and blackcurrant. “To start with it is rather citrusy, but then the aroma opens up you you can feel its forest-like core – pines and fir cones. Finally there is musk and mung beans,” a perfume consultant told the newspaper. “Women like the fragrance even more than men.”
The perfume could be the perfect gift for the Putin fan who already has a Putin T-shirt, mug, fridge magnet and iPhone cover, all of which are available in Moscow shops.
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