50ml
50ml
50ml
50ml
100ml
PARAPHRASE
TROUBLED SPIRITS
Eau De Parfum
Unisex
Sizes
Starting
$162
Description
Troubled Spirits by Paraphrase is a dark, boozy amber fragrance that opens with an intoxicating liquor accord and bright orange zest, evoking the breath of a cocktail freshly sipped. Liquor-soaked spices unfold into a warm, spiced heart, balanced by subtle tartness, before settling into a rich, resinous amber base laced with woods and vanilla for deep, enveloping warmth. Perfect for autumn-winter nights, it captures a sensual, speakeasy vibe that's atmospheric and intimate. Created by Joshua Smith for unisex.
Scent Profile
Woody
Amber
Boozy
Spicy
Floral
Notes
Top Notes
Orange Zest
Middle Notes
RoseWhiskey Soaked Spices
Wine Soaked Fruit
Base Notes
OakwoodVanilla Bourbon
Aged Patchouli
AmberAbout PARAPHRASE
Paraphrase Perfume is an independent North American fragrance house founded in 2014 by Joshua Smith, an ex-forester turned designer who creates handcrafted perfumes in Canada. The brand philosophy centers on using scent as a means of retelling stories and exploring the subtle beauty of nature, with a focus on slowness, mindfulness, and sensory exploration. Paraphrase rebranded from its former name Libertine Fragrance in 2025, shifting from a rebellious aesthetic to one emphasizing creation, community, and the transformative power of fragrance in connecting people to natural landscapes and their inner selves.
Perfumer
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith is a self-taught perfumer from the Canadian prairies, formerly a forester and industrial designer, who founded Libertine Fragrance in late 2014 while studying design and later rebranded it to Paraphrase. He hand-blends immersive unisex perfumes using high-quality natural and synthetic ingredients, with notable creations including Sex & Jasmine—an animalic jasmine ode—Gilded, a spice-laden incense scent, and Fin de Siecle, a modernized rosy chypre. His work emphasizes sensory exploration, slowing down to connect with one's emotions, and reinterpreting personal stories through scent.
Reviews
4.8
Excellent41 reviews
PARAPHRASE
4.8/5 • 41 reviews
Community Insights
Reviewers praise Troubled Spirits for its sensual boozy amber profile that feels cozy and nostalgic, like a warm evening in a leather chair by the fire. Many highlight its perfect balance of amber, patchouli, and vanilla, calling it heavenly and ideal for cold nights. Performance is noted as strong and long-lasting with a speakeasy allure.
Pros
Performance excellence: Exceptional longevity and projection that lingers through the night, cutting through cold air with dense amber warmth.
Versatile appeal: Shines in autumn-winter evenings, cozy indoor settings, or speakeasy bars where its boozy intimacy enhances the mood.
Quality composition: Reviewers rave about the masterful blend of liquor-soaked spices, orange zest, and resinous amber for a rich, non-cloying depth.
Cons
Specific limitation: Boozy opening can feel overly intense or alcoholic for some, potentially overwhelming in close quarters.
Situational drawback: May not suit warm weather or daytime wear, as its dense, dark character thrives best in cooler, nighttime conditions.
Comparisons
Similar to boozy ambers like mulled wine scents: Shares the liquor-spice warmth and cozy resinous drydown.
Reminds reviewers of Libertine Fragrance version: Nearly identical notes structure but Paraphrase emphasizes oakwood and vanilla more prominently.
Vibe & Emotions
Sensual intimacy: Evoked in dim-lit bars or close encounters, drawing compliments for its seductive allure.
Nostalgic coziness: Felt during chilly autumn evenings, like sinking into a worn leather chair by the fire.
Atmospheric danger: Surfaces in speakeasy nights, blending boozy warmth with a slightly edgy, mysterious edge.
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