You wouldn’t necessarily know it from this blog, but I’m quite fond of lists, so I thought I ought to mark the first weekend of December with a round-up of perfume recommendations for Christmas. Here we go… and don’t forget to read all the way to the end for today’s very special giveaway:

For ‘the males’: Tribute from Amouage – Wood. Smoke. Testosterone. Genius. Enough said.

For ‘the females’: Une Rose Vermeille from Tauer Perfumes – Utterly delicious. A full-bodied, crimson rose on a mouth-watering dessert base.

For those who don’t care about the whole business of ‘the males’ and ‘the females’: Portrait Of A Lady from Editions De Parfums Frederic Malle – Another rose, this time with an Arabic, incense-laden twist. Pure seduction.

For those who want to pretend it’s still summer: Like This from État Libre D’Orange – Fizzing ginger and grinning immortelle. A delightful little triumph.

For those who quite like the fact that it’s winter: J’Adore L’Or from Christian Dior – The familiar, gorgeous floral accord placed on a Guerlain-like, vanilla drydown.

For those who aren’t afraid of nuclear sillage: Onda extrait from Vero Profumo – A rock-hard vetivert, waiting to be tamed.

For those who insist they don’t like florals without realising that what they really, really like is florals: Orange Blossom from Penhaligon’s – Bertrand Duchaufour got a lot of attention this year for another Penhaligon’s release – Sartorial – but I prefer this gentle take on white petals.

For those who appreciate that sometimes flowers are really, really naughty: Orange Blossom from Gorilla Perfumes – Animalic and ballsy, it sends out one very clear signal: GP will be a brand to watch in 2011.

For ‘European’ sensuality: Bas De Soie from Serge Lutens – Yes, it is quite green, but it also radiates tender warmth and conjures visions of bodies snuggling up under the sheets.

For ‘Middle Eastern’ sensuality: Kanz from SoOud – A full review will soon appear on Persolaise.com, but for now I’ll just say that Stéphane Humbert-Lucas’ creation is one of the most convincing Gulf-inspired fragrances I’ve tried all year. Powerful oud and powerful florals: a winning combination.

For those who like celebrity scents: er… sorry, I think you’ve come to the wrong blog.

For the ladies’ good old days: Nahema from Guerlain – A commercial failure when it was first released, this heavenly, peachy rose now has thousands of admirers and continues to intoxicate with its bold physicality.

For the ladies’ even older days: Youth Dew from Estée Lauder – Thank goodness the increasing trend for clinical homogeneity hasn’t managed to dampen the spirit of this intense, aldehydic oriental.

For the gents’ good old days: Antaeus from Chanel – Instead of reaching for Bleu, remind yourself of this truly wondrous masculine from Jacques Polge where patchouli, beeswax and smokiness combine to create a uniquely masculine effect.

For the gents’ even older days: Equipage from Hermès – Winter was made for perfumes like this: fires, cigars and hot spices against a mossy background that spells homely reassurance.

For a very special gesture to a very special someone: Phul-Nana from Grossmith in the Baccarat flacon – Luxurious elegance is evident in every moment of this gem’s development, from the neroli opening to the benzoin drydown. And the Baccarat flacon is a feast in itself.

For those who are feeling lucky: keep reading…

I’m very pleased to announce that Andy Tauer has chosen Persolaise.com as the ‘venue’ for one of his advent giveaways this year. The prize is a 50 ml (1.7 fl oz) spray bottle of his brand new Cologne Du Maghreb. At the moment, this cologne cannot be purchased anywhere and is available only to the lucky winners of Andy’s advent draws. This is how he describes his latest creation:

I made an all natural, all botanical Eau de cologne, baptized LE COLOGNE DU MAGHREB, especially for this occasion. I use only natural essential oils, absolutes, and resins in it. It is a classical cologne, with a woody baseline chord, a firework of natural citrus notes, exploding into expensive sparkles, on a background with ambreine and cedarwood from the Moroccan High Atlas. Like all colognes it is not made to last but it is a fragrant joy, living in the moment, leaving you with the finest veil of woods on your skin.

Ingredients: Citrus essential oils and absolutes (such as lemon, bergamot, clementine, mandarine, grapefruit, orange blossom absolute, neroli oil), rose absolute and oil, cedarwood, ambrein, cistrose and much more.

To enter this exciting draw, please leave a comment about which perfume you’d most like to receive as a gift. On this occasion, I’m not going to reply to every submission. If you post your entry before the commenting facility is disabled, then you can consider yourself to be in draw.

Please note: i) the draw will be closed before 12 pm (UK time) on Sunday 5th December; ii) the winner will be selected at random and announced on this blog; iii) readers from anywhere in the world are eligible to enter; iv) by entering the draw, you indicate that customs regulations in your country permit you to receive an alcohol-based perfume; v) the winner will have to provide his/her postal address, which will then be passed on to Andy Tauer; vi) the winner’s address will not be kept on record by Persolaise, nor will it be passed to any third parties, apart from Andy Tauer.

Good luck… and many thanks to Andy for including this blog in his advent festivities.

Persolaise.

UPDATE 4th December 21:00 (UK time) – As the response to the draw has been so fantastic, I’ve decided to make a special runner-up prize: the second person chosen by Random.org will win a small sample of Cologne Du Maghreb. Keep those comments coming!


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150 thought on “Tauer Cologne Du Maghreb Giveaway + Christmas 2010 Recommendations”
  1. It's been said a thousand times but I'll say it once more: Andy is such a generous man!
    I'm very excited with this chance to try Cologne du Maghreb.

    Which perfume I would love as a gift? It's difficult to say just one.
    I would be very grateful if someone gave me one of the Tauer perfumes, especially Eau d'Épices. It must be great in Christmas time.

  2. This is quite an exciting prize!

    The perfume I'm actually hoping to get as a gift this Christmas is a bottle of Le Labo Oud 27, because I'm tearing my way through samples pretty quickly these days. I feel as though a daily dousing would improve my general disposition. I would also happily (giddily?) accept a bottle of CdG Wonderwood.

  3. I really want Portrait of a Lady…. I had it sprayed on me a couple of weeks ago and have been obsessed about it!

    And thank you Andy for the Advent this year!

  4. I would like to get Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne by Jo Malone for Christmas.Thanx again for a new chance to win!

  5. I'd like to receive a bottle of the new Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady. And I'd also love to receive Andy's Une Rose Vemeillé…or Le Maroc pour elle…or Incense Rosé…I love so much of his work!I'd like to receive a bottle of the new Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady. And I'd also love to receive Andy's Une Rose Vemeillé…or Le Maroc pour elle…or Incense Rosé…I love so much of his work!

  6. I'd go for Bas De Soie as I find the idea of a green iris floral quite irresistable, but I've been into Guerlain these days while an old j'Adore fan, plus it never hurts to have good dose of vanilla in the winter.

  7. Hmmm…tough question, but I think I'd love another bottle of Fendi Theorema before it disappears completely from eBay. Happy holidays!

  8. Serge Lutens's Madarin Mandarin (or is it the other way 'round?). Perfect for cold weather, it's like wearing your own private orange grove in bloom. Alternatively, Parfums 'd Empire Aziyadé – I know it smells of Coca Cola and crushed cumin, but somehow I can't get enough of that really weird accord at the moment!

  9. Orange Blossom from Penhaligon's – Bertrand Duchaufour

    would love to have this as a present! i am one of those people who says 'i dont like florals' so would love to try this!

  10. I have lusting after three different scents, actually: Parfums Delrae Mythique, L'Artisan Tea for Two, and Etat Libre d'Orange Like This. I'd love a full bottle of any of these! *sigh* Too bad there is no one to buy me perfume but myself!

  11. I smelled every perfume made by Andy, loving them so much expecially Incense Extrème and Une rose chyprèe: autentic masterpieces, I bought them in full bottles.
    If not possible to get this last Andy's work, If I had to choose a gift I would like to get FELANILLA, by Parfumerie Genèrale: a deeply animalic and astonishing vanilla scent. -hellsbelle-

  12. As far as I know, Tauer perfumes are not available in Japan. So, my choice from the list would be Rose Vermeille. Of course, I would really love to win the Maghreb, too!

  13. the truth is I want two
    une rose chypree and orange star-and, it seems I won't get them in the near future
    so, I would love to be able to try cologne de Maghreb

  14. I love Andy's Advent Calendar! And I would love to win Cologne Du Maghreb. But there's another perfume I'm dreaming of – Attrape Coeur by Guerlain.

  15. Hmm, I have been gifting myself so much there is hardly anything left to want! But since Andy is hosting the draw, I will say his lovely Carillon would be most appreciated.

  16. I adore Andy's interpretation the Advent calendar! ))

    It's difficult for me to choose only one perfume, I want all these: Guerlain's Angélique Noire, Andy's Carillon pour un Ange, Teint de Neige Villoresi or Fumerie Turque by Serge Lutens…

  17. Hello, Andy!
    Thank You again for this interesting article and the question.
    I would like "Lonestar Memories" as a gift, it is a scent my love to Tauer's perfumes started from.
    Be well!

  18. I'd like to get Andy's Une Rose Chyprée or Portrait if a Lady for Christmas. I tried Une Rose Chyprée and think it's gorgeous frag, and Portrait if a Lady just sounds gorgeous.
    Thank you, Andy, for this draw, and you, Persolaise, for hosting it!

  19. Geee….Tauers's L'air Du Desert Marocain or Lonestar Memories, OR Serge Lutens Arabie – smells divine in -20 degrees celcius…
    And I can't purchase any of them where I live.
    Thansk for hosting!

  20. Fille en Aiguilles would be my choice. Although it's really not so easy to choose among so many perfume loves.

  21. Well, I guess there are too many to name… Macassar would be nice. And I am also thinking about new Cuir of Mona di Orio. And full bottle (with a bodylotion) of Lys metiderrane… and Eau d'epices is still on my list… Well I guess I better stop, cause otherwise Santa will not take me serious 🙂

  22. Thanks Andy 🙂
    As Xmas gift I would like Santa to go East and bring me Kanz , if not available, then Malle's Portrait of a Lady

  23. I'd most like to receive Andy's eau de cologne as a surprise gift of course! 🙂 I've been on eau de cologne -hunt since summer, and have mostly come across discontinued gems like the Institut Tres Bien -trio and L'Artisan Fleur d'Oranger 2007 (although it's not a proper "eau de cologne"). Chanel's version is borderline acceptable and Heeley's Oranges & lemons is okay. Your list and recent review of Lush's Orange Blossom (although it's not edc) have put it into my "try soon" list. And I'm impatiently waiting for my christmas gift for myself to arrive: SixScents series2 End/Beginning by Yann Vasnier 🙂

  24. For me it's a reall toss up between Tubereuse Criminelle & L'Air du Desert Morocain. They are both so different yet both are absolutely gorgeous!!

    Thanks to Persolaise & Andy for the draw!

  25. Hello, the perfume I would love to get would be Secret Oudh from Caron. That would be my most wanted from the ones I've tried yet. From the unsniffed ones, it would definetely be Portrait of a lady ;o).

    Thank you for signing me in in the draw.

    Cheers
    Safran

  26. From your selections, I'd like a bottle of Like This, or this bottle of Le Cologne Du Maghreb! If I was choosing on my own, and I could have anything, I've really been wanting a bottle of Amouage Epic for Women.

  27. Having bought a bottle of Portrait of a Lady a few days before (it's gorgeous! 🙂 ) I would love to get La Myrrhe from Serge Lutens.

  28. Cadjmere from Perfumerie Generale is on the top of my list right now, along with a discorvery set from Tauer Perfumes, both of those would be very welcome.

  29. I would be in heaven if I found Portrait Of A Lady under the x-mas tree. and freely chosen: Rubj by Vero Profumo or Amouage Memoir Man.

  30. Congrats on hosting the giveaway, Persolaise! As for a fragrant gift I would love to receive, in fact I'm not lying when I say something from Tauer's line 🙂 I think they are all very distinct and well made scents. I'm dying to see how he interpreted an eau de cologne, one of my favorite fragrance types.

  31. i would love to receive orange blossom by gorilla perfumes.

    1) the scent reminds me of my holidays to spain

    2) the company is ethically sound and produces natural scents that are kind to my skin.

  32. Of your selections I'd be quite pleased to receive Une Rose Vermeille or J'Adore L'Or. My own Xmas list includes Une Rose Chypree and Teo Cabanel Alahine … I'm turning into quite a rose ho.

  33. Another day, another chance, and a new blog to read! What else could I wish? Oh yes, a bottle of Onda in EDP or this Portrait of a lady… One can dream,;)

  34. AFter pausing for a good 5 minutes I feel that I would most like to receive Le Cologne du Maghreb as a gift because it is all natural, cannot be bought, and I LOVE colognes… seriously anything else I can just buy =P

  35. I have been on a near-obsessive orange blossom kick for quite a while, and since graduating from 'Escale à Portofino' a few years ago, I've gone on to the hardcore stuff. Of all the orange blossom perfumes I can think to wish for, two in particular stand out:

    Orange Star, by the utterly fantabulous Andy Tauer. Nuclear orange would be good right about now!

    And in the best of all possible worlds…La Via Del Profumo's 'Mecca Balsam', and Vero Profumo's 'Rubj', with a bottle of Serge Lutens' 'Boxeuses' thrown in.

    Did I mention…I would love a bottle of Andy's 'Cologne de Mahgreb', too? 😉

  36. Hmm – I'd love to receive MKK. It's the only Serge scent I've tried so far, but I'm definitely in love!

  37. I'd most like to receive a Tauer perfume for Christmas! I've only tried the juicy rosy Una Rose Vermille and thought it was very nice.

  38. As I love all the creations of Andy, I don't want to miss this unique cologne. So the answer of your question is: I want Cologne du Maghreb as a gift!

    Many thank's to Andy, always so kind and generoeus!!!

  39. For myself, I think I'd want the one you chose: Tribute sounds fantastic. But no one that might give me perfume could afford that! (I'd be happy with Onda or Antaeus or Equipage as well…)

    But what I'd really like is some Bas de Soie for my wife!

  40. I'd love to get a bottle of Guerlain Tonka Imperiale! But also will love to get Andy's 'Cologne de Mahgreb'.

  41. I have a huge "lemming" for exotic and sensual… so I have to go for either Kanz or Cologne du Maghreb as either would round out my scent cabinet collection nicely! (smiles)

  42. I answered this question in some other blog, so I won't repeat same perfume 🙂

    This time I would like to receive sample collection from Parfumerie Generale 🙂 Heard so much about them, never tried anything 🙁

    Thanks for the draw. So exciting 🙂

  43. Oh, the list is long regarding perfumes I would like to receive as a gift. But would I really like? I've been hankering for Habit Rouge in parfum concentration but for something more rational, Tauer's Incense Rose has been high on the list for a while. However, what I'm really hoping for now is Le Cologne du Maghreb! That would be tops this holiday season!

  44. I would love to receive a bottle of Comme des Garçons White or L'Artisan Havana Vanille (or Vanille Absolument, as it is known now – still like Havana Vanille, though). I can't decide which, and I hope my angels are reading this.

  45. what a great giveaway this is. for this christmas, i would love a bottle of vintage jil sander pure original. thanks for providing us all with so much fun, andy!

  46. The perfume I would most like to receive as a gift is Amouage Ubar. I have a mini to indulge in from time to time, but I would love a FB. It is simply one of the most gorgeous things I have ever smelled.

  47. Thank you for hosting this, and thanks, Andy!

    The one perfume I would like to receive most is Jayne Ormonde Tolu.

  48. I'd love to get one of the new EDP releases from Strange Invisible Perfumes, Black Rosette or Arunima. Thank you for the contest!

  49. So many good choices to dream on. Right now, Une Rose Vermeille and Sycomore and Portrait of a Lady intrigue me — along with many another.
    Cornlily

  50. I'm trying to hunt up a bottle of Dalimania, I was given a sample a couple of years ago and really liked it, I guess I better go hunt ebay for it as my last hope!

  51. Only one for Christmas?! Haha! I'd like so open Epic by Amouage this Christmas. I can't get enough frankincense. Thanks for hosting this giveaway Persolaise and a huge thank you to Mr. Tauer and his generosity.

  52. hello. great to visit your page. i m really curious in Andy's Cologne Du Maghreb. what i want as a gift? i want something Amber. i love the warmth.

  53. Oooh, despite so much temptation above I would really like to get Clinique's "Wrappings" for Christmas, and I told "Santa" so in plenty of time too. It'll be interesting to see whether this request made any difference this year!

    cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh

  54. The greedy materialistic side of me says "I WANT all of them" for Christmas. But the realistic unemployed who has lost hope in the American Dream side of me says " I WANT none". I only "WANT" friends and family to be healthy and happy.

    But then the little devils says "YES" I "WANT" some of Andy's perfume. But would leave the choice to him!

    Melissa Seeba-Soler

  55. For Christmas I want a very small bottle of vintage Mitsouko parfum. I'm also interested in a sample of the Kanz you've mentioned.

  56. Andy`s Une Rose Vermeille – a Christmas rose scenting the Air! 🙂 Thank you for a wonderful blog!!

  57. I would adore a bottle of Carillon pour an ange and one of Rubj by Vero Kern, so lovely! Thank you Andy for your blog and your giveaway!

  58. I'd love to receive Breath of God by Gorilla Perfumes. I've spent so much recently, that I'm unable to get my hands on this commonly appointed as a masterpiece perfume. So there!

  59. I'm still trying to build my perfume wardrobe, so I'm hoping to receive two fragrances as gifts to fill glaring gaps in my collection–Aramis and Eau Sauvage. However, I would also love to receive Cologne du Maghreb! Please count me in the draw!

  60. Wow, this is too much. I have not sniffed Lumiere Noire Pour Femme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian but I want it. I would like to be gifted Iris Silver Mist just to have the iconic bell jar.
    Something perhaps more realistic would be sample sets from Ormonde Jayne and/or Sonoma Scent Studio. Funny/sad thing is no one who might give me a gift will ever read this.
    Oh well, I will simply be thankful for and enjoy what I have-truly.
    BTW I thank Mr. Tauer as well . If not for him, I would not have found your blog. It's good and I will add it to my daily reads.

  61. L'Artisan's Tea for Two. I know, it's pathetic, but I can't help myself!

    Andy. He is an absolute doll. I cannot wait to see what natural concoction he's come up with! Very exciting, indeed!

  62. Hello there and thanks for hosting the very generous giveaway! I would love a bottle of Guerlain SDV for Christmas – I have a decant, but I've been rationing it since it's so pricey and I don't want to finish it!

  63. I would love a bottle of Une Rose Chypree. And i wouldn't turn down any vintage Diors, but I'm trying to focus on all the beautiful new fragrances by brilliant new noses.

  64. I like the sound of J'Adore L'Or (Christian Dior) although I haven't yet had the chance to try it..so I'd have to say Hypnotic Poison – my current favourite.

  65. I've been seriously lusting for a bottle of Andy's Une Rose Vermeille. I would love to win the cologne but I'll still be lusting for the rose. LOL

  66. What a generous gesture from Andy, as always. Which one would I most love to receive as a gift this year? That is a tough one … but I'm going with Chanel Coromandel. Thank you for including me in the draw!

  67. The perfume I'd most like to receive as a present is the ORIGINAL Femme by Rochas. It is my most favorite fragrance & it's a terrible shame that they ruined it when they reformulated it.

  68. Everyone wants some Tauer. 🙂
    I love your list! It was so much fun to read it. 🙂
    My wish this Christmas (aside from Andy's special release) is Shalimar Ode a la Vanille (and I hope I get it).

  69. I recently developed a craving for the mixture of incense and rose. And of course people suggested Incense Rose. Pretty intuitive, isn't it. Lovely fragrance. It's on my wish list for the holidays.

  70. This is my third attempt at winning this perfume; I hope the third time's a charm!
    I (still) have so many perfumes on my wishlist, but I haven't been craving anything in particular lately (which is rather strange, but it might just be wallet fatigue). But since this is a Tauer post, the Tauer perfumes on my wishlist are Lonestar Memories, Orange Star, and L'Eau d'Epices. But I'm running low on L'Air du Desert Marocain and wouldn't mind a refill!

  71. Orange Blossom from Gorilla Perfume sounds lovely, although I think I'd most like to win Tribute from Amouage for my husband.

  72. I think I'd most like to receive Bond No. 9 Harrod's Limited Edition as a gift. A truly fabulous and unique oud that actually features some real, barnyardy oud, and a complete standout in the Bond Line. A veeery closer runner up is Amouage Opus III, which I feel is a true masterpiece and one of Amouage's finest.

    Thanks a million for this opportunity Persolaise! 🙂

I love hearing from my readers, so please feel free to write a comment or ask a question.