February | 2012 | The Scented Hound

February 5, 2012
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Ambra Aurea by Profumum

More sampling, more to love. I had to try Ambre Aurea due to my love of ambers, despite the fact that at $240 a bottle I probably was not going to buy any. At that price, something has to be “over-the-top” special. So my expectations were high for this scent to surprise and delight me. A tough one to describe…when you first apply it, it’s almost chemical in it’s introduction. At first I was concerned, but then quickly, the scent transforms into a delicious warm, slightly sweet and enveloping amber. It is a very reassuring fragrance with a subtle sexiness about it. This truly is a unisex parfum, I can see this wearing well on both men and woman. I have the feeling that the characteristics of the scent would probably vary greatly on each individual. A truly beautiful fragrance. But at $240 for 100ml, I’m still not sure if I’m going to venture forth to purchasing a full bottle. I’ll have to give that some thought. However, I’m very much looking forward to testing out some more of the Profumum line.

From the Profumum website:

Olfactory Notes: Grey Amber, Incense, Myrrh

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: amber, warm, subtle
Classification: Unisex
Expense: Expensive – $240 for 100ml

February 4, 2012
by The Scented Hound 5 Comments

Bel Ami by Hermes

Today we’re going old school. I rarely find an Hermes scent that I don’t love, and this is not an exception to that rule. Bel Ami is a man’s cologne. There is nothing feminine about this scent. And when I say that its old school, it conjures up images in my head of Cary Grant wearing a tux on the Riviera. It is one of those scents that is distinctive, long lasting, powerful and one that I always get comments on when I wear it (all good). So what’s so special about it? I think it’s the wonderful combination of the patchouli and leather that really stick out. Which is funny, because I am typically not a fan of either in most scents. But add the cardamon and amber and something magically happens. I highly recommend this for men who love real manly man men’s colognes. Just remember, a little goes a long way with this scent.

From the Hermes website:

Irresistibly charming and masculine. An audacious mix of cardamom, amber, patchouli and leather.

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: leather, patchouli, amber, cardamom
Classification: Masculine
Expense: Moderate – Approximately $110 for 3.3 oz.

February 3, 2012
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07 Tanoke by Odin

When I first put this on, I wasn’t quite sure that I was going to be able to sit at my desk all day and put up with this scent. One of the downside of sampling is that sometimes you put on a scent and you feel trapped wearing it all day. Given that, the first thing you notice is the heavy pepper. Very spicy, and very dry. A very earthy scent. Again, not that it’s bad, it’s just that I tend to lean towards the ambers. However, as the day went on, I found myself lifting my wrist to get a whiff…after about an hour or so, I found myself doing this continuously. The scent mellowed to a very nice and calming smoky and woody scent, with just a tinge of sweetness. Very calming, clean and masculine. I found this to be a very complex and lasting fragrance. This turned out to be a great surprise and I can’t wait until the next time I put this on. I read that this is supposed to represent the “natural aromas of the California landscapes.” I can see that…and I’m ready to go.

From the Odin website:

Amid the wilderness of coastal hinterland comes a woody blend grounded in soaring redwoods and warm musk. The core of Tanoke brings forth the balsamic resin of wet gaiacwood wrapped in smoky incense. Crisp black pepper, spicy ginger and bitter orange hover the surface with invigorating freshness. 07 Tanoke was selected for W Magazine’s “Top 10 Indie Fragrances”.

Top: Spice Ginger, Bitter Orange, Black Pepper
Middle: Gaiacwood, Smoky incense, Nutmeg
Bottom: Redwood, Patchouli, Black Musk