All perfume samples are authentic fragrances that Surrender to Chance, Topeka, KS, has rebottled into smaller sample and decant sizes, repackaged and distributed. Surrender to Chance has no affiliation, connection or association with the manufacturers or brand owners of the perfumes.
Their inaugural fragrance inspired by Old Reykjavik. Described as: Smoke in the air and tarred telephone poles, anis seeds and black pepper tail freshly mowed grass and tobacco leaves. Dead flowers bow to the ground. In the breeze, the feminine fountain pine tickles the top of your skull. A beached whale is about to explode. No. 23 evokes nostalgia and heritage and is rooted in the perfumer's memories of working alongside his father on the big ships that frequented the old harbor. It captures the essence of oil-stained hands, a feeling of industry and salty ocean air mixed with the aroma of pipe tobacco. With top notes of bergamot, black pepper and licorice; middle notes of cypress, tobacco and Siberian fir; and base notes of birch tar, ambergris, seaweed, wood and patchouli. No. 23 is an eau de parfum, edp.
Fragrantica: "This is a truly breathtaking and evocative atmospheric fragrance. I have yet to visit Iceland, but No. 23 successfully transports me there via scent alone. It smells like standing at the water as a bracing, blustery wind whips across the fjords. The scent of tar rises up from workers repairing their boats at the docks, sparkling bergamot captures the brightness of the crisp air, a whiff of licorice in a child's sticky hand rises up and finds its way to your nose, seaweed and ambergris add unique aquatic depth, and the coniferous trees nearby lend sweet and prickly whispers of scent to this gorgeous olfactory bouquet. 10/10. I could see myself wearing this in any type of weather or season and look forward to doing so!"
Fragrantica: "I’ve also worn No. 23 a few times. There’s a small boutique store in my neighborhood that carries this brand, and every chance I get I wear a sample home. The scent feels 100% natural, leaning masculine but still unisex. The birch tar-resin is dominant—the rest of the notes dance around like a fairy in a forest."
Fragrantica: "This is where it all started, for me. I was in Iceland with my wife and sprayed this fragrance in a local tourist shop. Even though I was surprised by the exceptionally particularity of the scent, which was a mix of black pepper and herbs, I thought it would evaporate quickly as all fragrances did (which was my impression at the time). Lo en behold, the next day I was surprised by a still very notable scent emanating from my wrist. I was convinced and started delving into the wonderful world of fragrance. Fischersund, thank you so much for opening my eyes (and nose) to fragrance. I still enjoy it regularly to this day, especially when winter starts. Highly recommended."
Fragrantica: "No.23 by Fischersund is one of the most unique fragrances I've ever tried, and most importantly, it smells sensational. Upon first sniff, I am taken to the cold and rainy coast of my home state Oregon. The seaweed and marine notes are prevelant, but are backed by lush pine that gives an almost petrichoric scent profile. As the scent lingers, tobacco, leather, and tar notes enter the picture. I've always described the dry down of this fragrance as smoking a cigar on the oregon coast in winter. While this scent is quite strong, it layers really well with the rest of my collection. I like to wear it with Macaque Yuzu Edition to bring in citrus and incence notes or Kalan to make it spicy. I strongly recomend No.23 to any collector looking for something unique and dark. Smell: 10 / Longevity: 8 / Versatility: 8 / Uniqueness: 10 / Value: 7 / Layering compatibility: 9 / Overall: 8.7"
Fragrantica: "My favorite brand finally on Fragrantica! I discovered this small brand while on a roadtrip in Iceland. Visiting their small Reykjavík shop with a nordic witchy vibe is huge part of the experience and one of the reasons I fell in love with the brand. 23 is their bestseller and I absolutely love smelling it on myself and my husband, too. It is very special and captures Iceland so well. To me, this gives the vibe of a walk by a nordic harbor, but also somehow forest and it is a very cold smell. It is really hard to describe, but it reminds me of Iceland so much and I absolutely adore it."
Fragrantica: "Randomly came across this fragrance on the shelves of a coffee shop/stationery store of all places. I was intrigued by the simple utilitarian packaging of being wrapped in a bandana. I sprayed the store's tester on my arm, grabbed my latte, and went for a smoke break a few blocks away. In between sips of coffee and carcinogenic smoke inhalation, I kept holding up my wrist to my nose. No. 23 is such a beguiling scent-- I was obsessed. It reminds me of a parking lot at dusk in rural Southern California: cars idling beneath the trees, exhaust pipes emitting fumes that layer with the damp and mist of a marine layer morning. It has a sort of industrial characteristic that I can't get enough of. Another image that comes to my mind is the album cover of Bocanada by Gustavo Cerati. Great statement fragrance for the cold seasons, especially on a breezy and brisk night that requires you to pick up a light scarf on your way out the door-- hell, why not the artful bandana they used to wrap the fragrance in?"
Fragrantica: "No. 23 from Fischersund is a densely tarry and leathery scent, charred wood and peppery smoke, that dries in your hair like green, aromatic moss and balsamic fir needles and pine. It also makes me think of salty licorice and hangikjöt —but not candy and actual smoked meat, really. More like a bitter, herbal chewiness, and scorched and smoldering birch and juniper and the ghost of blistered proteins? It’s stygian, enigmatic, and bleak, and maybe this is what my doppelgänger who just climbed out of the Katla ash storms and trekked through the Jordskott forest smells like. (I realize with those references I’m mixing together both Icelandic and Swedish creeping horror —catastrophic supernatural volcanoes and prophecies about evil forests—but whatever!)"
Fragrantica: "This puts me in Full Icelandic God mode. Smoke. Tar. Strong evergreen. Earthy. Pungent. So good. Can find it 12+ hours but decent projection 8+ hours. One of the best fragrances I’ve enjoyed in the last couple years. Have not expected others to enjoy it, but they do. Haven’t yet worn it to the office and I wouldn’t pick it for a wedding as it is bold, but in every other setting, it is fantastic. Shines in winter but I’ve worn it well into Spring. May become a 3 season fragrance for me. It is quite addictive. I also enjoy No. 54, but find this more wearable and more pleasant. 54 brings a true funk."
