Kerosene — With Angels and Archangels
Essence
With Angels and Archangels is a smoky church-incense rose, built from charcoal, dry woods, and a floral shadow. It is a dramatic move into sacred atmosphere from John Pegg’s Kerosene.
Scent Profile
The opening is severe: charcoal and smoke can suggest barbecue or burnt wood before the composition settles. After roughly half an hour, a dusky rose appears inside incense, cedar, and sandalwood. The flower never becomes sweet or conventionally romantic. The drydown is the more composed phase, with crackling cedar, powdery ash, softer sandalwood, and thin tendrils of incense. It changes clearly from fierce smoke to refined woody incense.
Performance
This is exceptionally persistent and strongly projecting. Use a conservative spray count, especially indoors; it holds onto fabric as well as skin.
Wearing Context
Cool evenings, reflective settings, and people who enjoy incense perfumes are the natural match. It is unisex, but the opening can be difficult around close company or anyone who dislikes smoke.
Comparisons & DNA
Black Saffron gives a useful dirty-rose comparison, though this scent is much smokier. Hwyl shares its dry, atmospheric wood-and-smoke feeling but is less floral. Anubis and Filippo Sorcinelli’s work provide the closest liturgical-incense context.
Reception
The drydown, long wear, and vivid atmosphere are widely admired. The opening is the dividing line: some find it thrilling, others find it harsh, sour, or insect-repellent-like. Sampling is the sensible route.
Versions & Reformulation
This is a single 2026 EDP with no known reformulations. Each bottle is hand-painted, so exterior variation is expected without implying formula changes.
Acquisition Notes
It is sold as a 100 ml artisanal-niche EDP. Samples are inexpensive and offered by several specialist sellers. Direct brand and established niche retailers are the clearest purchase paths.
Notable Facts & Lore
- John Pegg hand-paints Kerosene bottles using automotive urethane.
- The fragrance launched alongside Vanilified in April 2026.
- Its concept invokes incense, old furniture, flowers, and unseen wings.