Category Archives: Gourmand

Shalimar For Beginners – Review: Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Olfactoria

By Tara If I was forced to vote for the greatest perfume of all time I may well plump for Shalimar. The only problem is that I hardly ever wear it. It just seems very “evening-y” to me and that … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Guerlain, Iris, Oriental, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Sweet Little Thing – The World Of Vanilla Part I

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Olfactoria

Editor’s Note: This series of posts is written by my friend Neil, an Englishman living in Japan, who is an extremely knowledgeable perfume enthusiast with what I suspect must be an amazing vintage collection. A warm welcome to Neil! Hello, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Guerlain, Sweet Little Thing, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , | 40 Comments

A Bit Of Glamour – Review: Xerjoff Casamorati Dama Bianca

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Olfactoria

Dama Bianca is a classic case of: attractive bottle drawing in shallow perfume blogger. Aside from the eye-stabbingly dangerous looking top, this bottle and even more so the packaging are gorgeous! Or are they? The strange thing is, one moment I’m bewitched, … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Vanilla, Violet, Xerjoff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Heroine Of Summers Past – Review: Yosh Ginger Ciao

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Olfactoria

Yosh Han, Californian perfumer extraordinaire, says the name of this perfume, Ginger Ciao, is actually the name of the heroine of a novella she has written. Ginger Ciao, evocative of every overblown female lead somewhere between James Bond and Austin Powers, surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Lily, Spicy, Woods, Ylang Ylang, Yosh | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

When Every Leaf Is A Flower – My Top Perfume Picks For Fall

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Olfactoria

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” -Albert Camus I love the fall season. That is a relatively recent development though. In previous, unenlightened (read: pre-perfumania) times, I didn’t particularly care for the sadness of nature’s involution, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Amouage, Dior, Dior La Collection Privée, Fragrance Reviews, Frederic Malle, Gourmand, Guerlain, Honey, Lancome, Leather, Musk, Oriental, Ormonde Jayne, Patchouli, Puredistance, Sonoma Scent Studio, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

Live And Laugh – Review: Ys Uzac Monodie

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Olfactoria

Another niche house with a strange name. Maybe I’m getting tired, maybe I need another vacation, but I didn’t feel very motivated to get to know yet another new line. Enough already! was my feeling. But a dear friend brought … Continue reading →

Posted in Citrus, Cologne, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Ys Uzac | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A River Runs Through It – Review: Serge Lutens Jeux De Peau

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Olfactoria

I have been rediscovering my love for woody perfumes these past weeks, and Jeux de Peau is one of the best. Here is my review from last year to refresh your memory and maybe make you take out your old … Continue reading →

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Oriental, Serge Lutens, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Closer To Heaven – Review: SoOud Ouris Parfum Nectar And Eau Fine

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Olfactoria

The niche line SoOud was launched in 2010 by perfumer Stephane Humbert Lucas, who is also the brain and nose behind Nez á Nez. I never felt particularly moved to explore this line, because, frankly, the name irks me. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Iris, Oriental, SoOud | Tagged , , , , , , | 48 Comments

A Trip To Spain – Ramon Monegal Mini-Reviews Part II

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Olfactoria

After a look at the first seven perfumes from the Spanish niche house of Ramón Monegal (see Part I), here are the seven more feminine leaning perfumes. Apart from being available at First in Fragrance, and through their own website … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Chypre, Citrus, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Honey, Incense, Iris, Jasmine, Leather, Mimosa, Musk, Orange Blossom, Oriental, Patchouli, Ramon Monegal, Resins, Rose, Tuberose, Vanilla, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

A Trip To Spain – Ramón Monegal Mini-Reviews Part I

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Olfactoria

Ramón Monegal is a spanish niche house that only recently came to my attention when I saw their beautiful bottles popping up on First in Fragrance. Luckily not long after, the brand contacted me and kindly sent samples of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Chypre, Citrus, Floral, Fruity, Gourmand, Iris, Jasmine, Leather, Musk, Oriental, Patchouli, Ramon Monegal, Resins, Rose, Spicy, Tuberose, Vanilla, Vetiver, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments