Persolaise Christmas 2011 Recommendations + Ormonde Jayne Give-Away
Persolaise My love of list-making isn’t often reflected on my blog – mainly because I rarely seem to have the time to indulge in this most boyish of activities – but…
Paris-London from Guerlain & Apuldre from Molton Brown (2011)
Geographical locations are obvious sources of inspiration for fragrances because, unlike films, novels, photographs and sculptures, they come ready-made with their
Bottega Veneta from Bottega Veneta, Esprit d’Oscar from Oscar De La Renta & 1697 from Frapin (2011)
The first perfume for Bottega Veneta has been made by Michel Almairac. The 2003 version of Gucci Pour Homme was also made by Michel Almairac. As far as I’m concerned,…
The Taste Of Fragrance: A*Men, Alien, Angel & Womanity from Thierry Mugler (2011)
Even though I hardly ever wear any of the brand’s fragrances myself – with the exception of the discontinued
Santal Blush & Jasmin Rouge from Tom Ford Private Blend (2011) + Jersey Winner
Tom Ford Santal Blush and Jasmin Rouge review by award-winning perfume critic Persolaise (Yann Vasnier, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, 2011)
Review: Jersey from Chanel (2011) + Sample Give-Away
A curious release, this one. Subjectivity aside, it’s a musky lavender in which Jacques Polge has chosen to emphasise the lemony, herbaceous aspects of Provence’s ubiquitous sachet-filler whilst placing it…
Review: Trayee from Neela Vermeire Créations (2011)
It’s a cliché, but like many clichés, it happens to be true: India is a land in which you’re constantly confronted by smells. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that it’s often…
Review: Mon Parfum Chéri from Annick Goutal, Lumière Noire Pour Femme Elixir and Aqua Universalis Forte Elixir from Maison Francis Kurkdjian (2011)
The moment I tried Goutal’s latest, I knew I
Review: The Disappointments (2011)
Here’s something that doesn’t happen very often: I don’t have a perfume I’d like to review this week. To be more precise, I’ve got plenty which I could review, but…
Review: No. 19 Poudré from Chanel (2011) and Miriam from Tableau De Parfums (2011) + Miriam Winners
There’s a lot of anti-Chanel feeling around at the moment. Before the venerable house had given everyone an opportunity to recover from the various Chance flankers, they released Bleu which…
Review: Kokorico from Jean-Paul Gaultier (2011)
There’s at least one person in the world who thinks Kokorico is a work of genius. A couple of weeks ago, when I picked up the scent’s tester at a…
Give-Away Teaser + Reasons To Be Thankful
We’re surrounded by empty suitcases. The washing machine has been whirring away for hours. There’s a heap of unopened junk mail in the bin. All this means we’re back at…
Review: Vitriol d’Oeillet from Serge Lutens (2011)
Uncle Serge and Christopher Sheldrake have been up to their old tricks again. Their latest release could easily be dismissed as an old-fashioned feminine, a woody floral stuck somewhere in…
Reviews: Yuzu Man from Caron (2011) & Hiroshima Mon Amour from Nez À Nez (2011)
The spirit of orientalism is alive in the latest masculine from Caron. Yuzu takes its inspiration from the East Asian (predominantly Japanese) fruit of the same name, and as you’d…
Reviews: Juniper Sling, Esprit Du Roi & Eau Sans Pareil from Penhaligon’s (2011)
Would it be too cruel to say that Penhaligon’s Anthology series of re-issues comes to a close not with a bang, but a whimper? Eau Sans Pareil is pleasant enough,…
Review: Mon Numero 1, 6, 8, 9 & 10 from L’Artisan Parfumeur (2011)
Is there anyone out there who thinks there should be more perfume releases? Clearly, the answer to that question is a resounding Yes, because the number of new creations emerging…
Review: Auburn Pentachord, Verdant Pentachord & White Pentachord from Tauer Perfumes (2011)
One of the reasons I’m an admirer of the music of Björk is that it combines the finest elements of classicism with a reckless love of everything that modernity has…
Reviews: Shalimar Parfum Initial from Guerlain and Miss Dior Chérie Blooming Bouquet from Christian Dior (2011)
Okay, here we go. Time to bite the bullet and articulate my thoughts on what is unquestionably one of the most important perfume releases of the year, regardless of the…
Sample Give-Away + Review: Vanille from Mona Di Orio (2011)
A perfume should be able to speak for itself. But on some occasions, hearing its creator explain the logic behind its formulation adds considerable depth to how the scent is…