Marron Chic by Nez a Nez

Kumquat, Orange Blossom, Iris, Karo Karounde, Violet, Cocoa Flower, Benzoin, Labdanum, Vetiver, Cocoa Beans.

My first impression of Marron Chic is how strange, yet familiar the opening aroma is. A citric floral with leather and intermittent gourmand qualities is not exactly conventional, however it's not that far removed from some classically constructed chypres of yesteryear.

Marron Chic is classic with modern wrinkles. I've read the Chanel #5 comparisons and it wears like a vintage chypre with a few twists . If anything, Marron Chic is contemporary and vintage combined.

The opening is the emergence of blossom, iris and a powdery chocolate note. The feel of it is like having one foot in the present and the other in the past. There's slight whiffs of lipstick that appear in between puffs of cocoa. The top is a strange, but likable affair.

Old school but not dated, the top and heart of Marron Chic are precursors to a different destination than that of the Chanel. Where No.5 stays true to the genre's drydown, Marron Chic opts for a slightly different finale. To be honest, I actually like the outro of Marron Chic a little more. That's one mans opinion however and I'm certain some will find me a heretic for saying that.

During the heart stage, the leathery aspect becomes tuned higher and there's some signs of life from herbal and earthy elements. It's not loud mind you, but just enough to accent the slightly powdery iris and dusty cocoa. This mid accord stays around for a respectable amount of time.

Once the leather quality loses some presence, it signals the extended drydown to finally commence. The long lasting heart gives way to a more comfortable accord of leathery resin and subtle cocoa.

Marron Chic may not be great, but it's very respectable for what it does. Sillage is good and longevity is 6 hours plus on me. Thumbs up for Nez a Nez and their contemporary chypre. A sample wear ( as always ) is recommended.