I thought it was timely that I do a review of Cuir Ottoman by Parfum de Empire as I have read some interesting reviews as of late and just received a sample myself. Now my preferences don’t lean towards the leather scents, but I have learned to be open to new avenues of fragrances. So after reading what others thought about this fragrance, I decided to give this a try. The first thing that I found when I applied this was a lovely floral note, mixed with what I found to be almost a rubber or plastic smell. Is that the leather trying to come out? Yes. The rubber smell dissipated quickly and the leather made its presence. Now this is not leather that is harsh or strong, but is more of a buttery, suede leather. The mix of floral and leather is very interesting and quite refreshing. This is a scent that stays close to the skin and is surprisingly light, a little sweet and clean and airy. Cuir Ottoman is quite different from what I think of a typical leather scent. As nice as I found this scent to be, my one disappointment was that it disappeared on me after a few hours. In the end, I found Cuir Ottoman to be an elegant surprise. For those of you who love leather scents, I recommend giving this a try.
Cuir Ottoman Notes:
jasmine, leather, iris, benzoin, balsams, resins, incense
- Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Iris and Leather Oriental
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $75 for 50ml EDP
The Scented Hound 
March 13, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Cuir Ottoman and Ambre Russe are my two favorites from Parfums d’Empire. I, too, find the sillage to be a little weak, but then again, I prefer a big scent like this to leave a small subtle footprint rather than a large one.
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March 14, 2012 at 5:34 am
I have to fight the urge to bathe in a fragrance that I love… LOL. I also have a sample of Ambre Russe that I need to check out. I’ve heard nothing but great things about that as well.
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March 14, 2012 at 11:20 am
I shall try both because I love leathery scents and leather by itself.
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March 15, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Ow dear it’s a shame to read you didn’t click with it as much as I have!
A full blast out the sprayer is so much different to a dabber if that’s how you’re testing it.
Cuir Ottoman does remain quite close after a couple of hours, but I’ve found everyone around me can smell it even when I can’t.
I think it’s a fantastic scent and is one of the few that blew me away the first time I tried it. That and Intrigant Patchouli…
I hope you give it another few chances 🙂
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March 15, 2012 at 6:59 pm
I trust your input. I will give this another try for sure. I have found that spraying can make a big difference!
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March 16, 2012 at 9:05 am
It really can!
I recently bought Sienne L’Hiver for my ma after she fell in love with my sample and was a bit taken back by the olive filled briney blast in the opening which she said she didn’t get at all before.
I used to have Cuir Ottoman in a little 1ml vial and it’s so much softer, it’s like a baby skin leather smell, out the sprayer, there’s the pure slightly dirty leather at full volume.
Anyway, glad you got the chance to try it!
It’s exceptionally easy to wear and really comforting.
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March 15, 2012 at 5:09 pm
I tried this perfume a couple of days ago, as well after reading many positive mentions, and I liked it more than I expected I would. I agree with your description of the perfume but I’m not getting that plastic-y smell that you mention (but I know what you mean, I get it from time to time from other perfumes). Maybe it’s just a skin chemistry?
I can see at least decants for both Cuir Ottoman and Ambre Russe in my future.
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