Ah.........patchouli..........one of my favorite notes.....and probably one of the most misused in all of fragrancedom. With a name like Patchouli Noir, it was simply a matter of time before I got hold of some in order to sample wear it at the very least. This scent is like beauty and the beast with the brute being introduced first. Fear not however......it is a changeling that morphs into a more docile and seductive animal.
I am fascinated with patchouli and it started in 1977. I had a ( non amorous) interaction in the fall of 77 with a nurse who was wearing a fragrance that smelled divine to me. All she told me, after I asked of course, was that she was wearing patchouli. Since then, patch has had a place in my pleasure center that continues to this day.
Patchouli Noir however can be likened to someone barging in your house without so much as a knock. I sprayed 2 spritzes and said "DAMN" out loud. An eruption of earthy patchouli envelopes you and I find it in between dry and moist. Dusty wet? Ahemmmm.......I doubt that's even possible, but that's the best I can describe it. After a minute, there's also a subtle menthol wafting around in this dark mix. It's a temporary reprieve and embellishment to it's heady counterpart. The menthol lasts a few moments......and then POOF !!! It's gone like a puff of smoke.
Once the menthol disappears, a background cedar encroaches on the patchouli and gives it some added dimension. It's here where I start to think that maybe this isn't a one trick pony after all. The cedar-patch duo soften within 30 minutes and I am enjoying this bare bones combo very much. Both seem to feed off each other and the projection is still rather substantial. The final act in this uncomplicated play is the addition of a deftly played vanilla. It's volume is perfect and blends seamlessly with the woody patchouli to evolve into what I can only call as seductive. This is patchvanedar at it's best.
Patchouli Noir is a terrific scent once it settles in and it really is ONLY for patch fans. It is loud, dark, earthy and very extroverted. This gives Mazzolari, Reminiscence, Profumum, Bois 1920 and Gentleman a run for their money. Huge thumbs up from an out of the closet patch fanatic.
Sounds good! This Il Profumo ( there are two "Il Profumo" lines that I know of, just to make life difficult it seems ) is a line that's brand new to me.
ReplyDeleteYea.....I cannot say I'm very familiar with Il Profumo either. The Noir is good however despite its uncomplicated construction.
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't have so many patch renditions, I would definitely consider it @$135 for 100ml.
V interestink! From another patch fan...bordering on fanatic. Will have to try sometime! (my fave EOs are usually patchouli and musk heavy)
ReplyDeleteMy God! This is heaven! My sample is not Osmo Parfum, it's Osmo Absolu. I thought I had the best patchouli fragrances. (Mazzolari, Reminiscence EDT, Farmacia SS. Annunziata, Patchouli Patch, which is not about patchouli enough, though a nice scent) Patcholi Noir is my temptation. I don't know if I will be able to resist.
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