Do we really need another ambery oriental? The answer’s probably No, but maintaining a negative stance is problematic when you’re faced with as elegant an example of the genre as Kalimantan. Named after the Indonesian area of the island of Borneo, the fragrance wastes no time in exposing its heart: the woody, smoky, faintly orange-like dryness of rock rose absolute and myrrh, languishing on a sweet amber base. This is the cliched territory of Middle Eastern bazaars and Indian temples, and although we’ve definitely been here before – think: Ambre Sultan and L’Air Du Désert Marocain – it would be churlish to deny that the balance of this particular blend is skillful and the quality of the ingredients is high. Still, despite its beauty, Kalimantan is unquestionably derivative and I see no reason why you’d choose to buy it instead of, say, the Lutens or the Tauer, unless you just happen to like the bottle’s multi-faceted faux-crystal stopper.
[Review based on a sample of eau de parfum obtained in 2010; fragrance tested on skin.]
Persolaise.
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I loved the softly smoky scent of this, and waited a long time to buy it but alas, it does not last more than a few minutes. This might be good for those who are afraid of strong spice and smoke and want to start off lightly.
Perfumed Veil, thanks for stopping by. It's a shame that the scent had problems with longevity on your skin. Maybe you should just stick to those classic ambers 😉