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Tolu by Ormonde Jayne

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Tolu is a spicy oriental with floral leanings. The overall aroma is a sensual one sans any dramatic transitions. It smells more linear than it is....and that is something I chalk up to blending. The ingredients are certainly top shelf ....albeit polite.

The opening is a slightly woody citric accord with spice added courtesy of clary sage. As soon as I smelled it, I knew I would like it no regardless of where it led to. I have a "thing" for smooth....and also for juniperberry.

As I enjoyed the opening, the floral heart started to make its escape upwards ; slowly but surely unfolding its wings and spreading a subtle signature onto my skin. The combination of orchid, rose and muguet displayed itself quietly and manifested a gender indifferent accord. So far, Tolu is a dignified scent, but not a stuffy offering by any means. It also is a shared fragrance for those who like their orientals with nary a ripple and a dash of spice.

There's no obvious discord in Tolu and any chance of that happening in the base is nullified by the oncoming and slightly powdery duo of amber and tonka. Resin is provided courtesy of Tolu and amber and the concentration is very acceptable. If anything, the resin and frankincense could be a bit more extroverted, but hey........we all live in an imperfect world.

I can say that the house of Ormonde Jayne is beginning to impress me with their quality, smoothness and aesthetics. I only wish they would up the volume on all their releases. Then again.......this is coming from a man who dons full wearings of Kouros in the summertime. Suffice it to say that Tolu is an exceptional fragrance and should be placed on the "must try" list at once.
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  1. UnknownAugust 21, 2010 at 8:02 AM

    I like Tolu, but not love. You are right that it is very smooth, almost a "polite" oriental. I like to take it on vacations, it goes well with dinner out, romantic evenings, etc. but having it on all my clothes won't kill my seatmate on the plane. Everything is so well blended. But I'm a big incense lover, so I wouldn't mind a stringer hit of those resins.

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  2. AromiEroticiAugust 21, 2010 at 8:14 AM

    Krista....what I really became impressed with was, hours and hours later, the drydown was literally superb smelling. I hadn't expected that.

    You're right......it would be a terrific choice for evenings out and romance. Now....if we could only convince someone to bolster these offerings just a little.....lol.

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