Patchouli Magique by Novaya Zarya

Top : Bergamot, Lemon

Heart : Sandalwood, Incense, Patchouli, Labdanum

Base : Vanilla, Musk

I'm not quite sure when this Russian Patchouli was initially released, nor am I sure which rendition of Patchouli Magique I actually have. I have the bottle and box pictured. Most images I've seen, over the years, are in different bottles. The formula may or may not have ever changed. I have no way of knowing as I've tried to score a bottle for years.

I recently found a stateside seller who had this, so I pulled the trigger. It was a 25ml. spray with box and had about 5ml. missing. I've read the reviews, where I could find them and most were positive. I now know why people have liked this one.

So, is it really magic, or at least magical? No, but it is a worthy, lighthearted patchouli with a very comfortable dry down. To me, that's where the magic lies.

Patchouli Magique opens with a slightly alcoholic blast of biting citrus that already has musk integrated into the opening accord. Within 2 minutes, a suggestion of incense that never gets smoky and sandalwood. At around the 3 minute mark, I'm already in the heart of this scent and I'm okay with that. I like it.

The woods and earth are dry and that anemic incense note is rather well played. It stays back far enough to never intrude, but it lets you know it's in the room. If Patchouli Magique decided to stay in this stage, I wouldn't be mad. I'm enjoying this dry-ish sandalwood-patch accord and I can tell you, it's neither loud nor gender specific.

At around the 30 minute mark, a comforting Van-Amber accord creeps in and underpins the earthy sandalwood. It's still dry and just a hint of resin appears. This is the totality of Patchouli Magique. Now, the box has Russian and English and there is the word PARFUM on it. I would not say this is perfume strength. It's an EDT at best and that's in line with a few other Zarya masculines I've owned in the past. Longevity is only a few hours before dissipating into a skin scent.

Even though performance lacks in the area of staying power, I like this scent. It's a very wearable Patchouli that has the patchouli note paired with others that give it a run for its money ; namely the woods. Thumbs up from Aromi for Novaya Zarya's Magic Patchouli. As always, a sample wear is recommended before purchase, although that may be difficult due to USA availability.

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