Category Archives: Woods

The Dangers Of Gold-Plated Vanilla – Review: Guerlain Metallica

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Olfactoria

I did not go looking for Metallica. I studiously avoided it actually, since I think not much good can come from seeking out a discontinued Guerlain. But, as fate wills it, a decant arrived on my doorstep courtesy of the beautiful Asali and … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnation, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Guerlain, Jasmine, Oriental, Powdery, Spicy, Vanilla, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

An Unofficial Rose – Review: Dior La Collection Privée Ambre Nuit Revisited

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Olfactoria

The great Iris Murdoch would hopefully forgive me for appropriating her book title (she herself lent it from Rupert Brooke’s poem “The Old Vicarage, Grantchester”) for my review, but I find it so wonderfully fitting, I started re-reading this Shakespearean comedy of errors … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Dior, Dior La Collection Privée, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Oriental, Patchouli, Rose, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

A Good Friend – Review: Dior La Collection Privée Patchouli Impérial

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Olfactoria

My third Dior La Collection Privée bottle that I unexpectedly encountered at London Heathrow airport and that I gave myself for my birthday, has the pride of the place right now. Flanked by its sisters Mitzah and New Look 1947, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dior, Dior La Collection Privée, Fragrance Reviews, Oriental, Patchouli, Rose, Spicy, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Arabian Nights – Review: Guerlain Songe d’un Bois d’Eté, Rose Nacrée de Désert and Encens Mythique d’Orient

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Olfactoria

I am inordinately happy about the fact that I managed to get my little Guerlain-crazy mitts on the latest trio of exclusive Eaux de Parfums. This time Guerlain made it even harder for us fans, since those three perfumes are … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Guerlain, Incense, Leather, Musk, Myrrh, Oriental, Resins, Rose, Spicy, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 58 Comments

Lean On Me – Review: Chanel Les Exclusifs Sycomore

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Olfactoria

Here we have a vetiver perfume again… Somehow that note grows on me. My initial vetiver scepticism has been turned into genuine appreciation by the likes of Guerlain (Vetiver Pour Elle), Serge Lutens (Vetiver Oriental), Vero Profumo (Onda) and Mona … Continue reading →

Posted in Chanel, Fragrance Reviews, Les Exclusifs de Chanel, Vetiver, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , | 74 Comments

Cool, Calm And Collected – Review: Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle Angéliques Sous La Pluie

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Olfactoria

Lately, as I was looking through my past reviews of the Malle line, I saw that I never reviewed Angeliques sous la Pluie. That is an oversight I need to remedy quickly, because Angeliques is a perfume I really love to … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Frederic Malle, Green, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Escape! – Review: Aftelier Sepia

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Olfactoria

When Mandy Aftel releases a new perfume and generously sends me a sample, the first thing I do is adjourn to the privacy of my office and listen to Eminem. Soundtrack in place, I cautiously apply a little bit to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aftelier, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Woods | Tagged , , , , , | 24 Comments

Dearly Beloved – Review: Amouage Beloved Woman

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Olfactoria

Beloved couldn’t have come to my mailbox courtesy of the wonderful Christopher Chong, at a more opportune moment. I was deeply in love with another perfume at the time, I had been wearing it non-stop for four unprecedented days in … Continue reading →

Posted in Aldehydic, Amouage, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Incense, Oriental, Rose, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , | 58 Comments

Fresh Baked Biker – Review: Armani Privé Cuir Noir

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Olfactoria

The Armani Privé line is very tempting. I love the look and the heft of the bottles, I love Ambre Orient and Bois d’Encens and I won’t even start with La Femme Bleue, before I get accused again of working it … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Armani Privé, Fragrance Reviews, Leather, Oriental, Resins, Vanilla, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

The Panther – Review: Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Olfactoria

Vetiver is interesting. I have come from total mistrust to finding several perfumes to like (and one to die for), but generally it falls into the “interesting and fascinating” rather than the “swoon and faint” category. Vetiver is more intellect … Continue reading →

Posted in Oriental, Serge Lutens, Vetiver, Woods | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments