WHAT I SMELL: Goes on herbal and astringent to the skin. It smells of bergamot and light jasmine and an almost brown sugar sweetness that’s slightly spiced by the clove. Gaiac to me is a very different fragrance and I’m sure that I am smelling the gaiac wood, but I’m not familiar with what that smells like so I can’t say for sure, although as it starts to dry down a bit of sourness comes forth, almost oud like in its composition. Gaiac is a vetiver fragrance in its best form in that it’s not green, but more woody in its dryness. After a good 45 minutes Gaiac completes its transformation and what you’re left with a sweet honeyed vanilla that is incredibly pleasant.
Gaiac Notes: bergamot, jasmine, cloves, gaiac, vetiver, vanilla
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A medieval forest tinged with sunlight.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE GAIAC: ancient, otherworldly, sweetened
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GAIAC: I Smell Therefore I Am, Confessions of a Perfume Nerd, Nathan Branch
BOTTOM LINE: This was a very pleasant surprise. I could see this as a future full bottle purchase. And if you’re not a big fan of vetivers like myself, this restores my faith in the vetiver note.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Woody
- Nose: Martine Micallef
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $90 for 30ml EdP
November 12, 2012 at 6:41 pm
I haven’t tried anything from this line but always hear good things – the bottles are gross though 😦 This sounds pretty good – the clove note always scares me but I dunno why becuase I tend to get on with it now. The “sourness” got me excited haha. Nice write up Houndy!
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November 13, 2012 at 5:53 am
I wouldn’t worry about the clove, it’s very subtle and not overpowering at all. I am thinking that this may be just a bit too sweet for your dear Freddie…it’s different, but not in a modern sense.
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November 13, 2012 at 8:55 am
Sweet is goooood sometimes. Have you tried Myrrhe Ardente yet? 😀
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November 13, 2012 at 7:04 pm
I have not.
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November 12, 2012 at 7:44 pm
That’s so funny SmellyThoughts,
I love the Micallef bottles, I think they are all really gorgeous and interesting. MMMMM Sounds like it smells amazing Hound, I have been 50/50 with the ones I’ve tried, adored half and can’t wear the other half.
Portia xx
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November 13, 2012 at 5:54 am
I have not seen a Micallef bottle in the flesh, but in pictures they do look pretty cool. You should give this one a check out…it’s just the right amount of sweet 🙂
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November 13, 2012 at 1:45 pm
It sounds lovely
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November 13, 2012 at 7:04 pm
It really is… a nice twist on a vanilla fragrance…perfect for the fall weather.
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November 14, 2012 at 1:42 pm
just as I thought 😉
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November 13, 2012 at 4:48 pm
A medieval forest tinged with sunlight…. That sounds wonderful really.
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November 13, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Do try so I can get your impression…we’ll see if their is a fairy in the forest 🙂
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November 13, 2012 at 9:31 pm
I am feeling lemmingish. Again. Between you and Lucas….you are sending me to the poorhouse!
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November 14, 2012 at 5:35 am
I will allow no blame to be sent my way. As I mentioned this was a surprise for me. I had not expected to like this so much. However, I find that I can get a bit tired of sweet fragrances after a while so that would be a concern.
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November 14, 2012 at 11:04 pm
You could always layer the sweet with something spicy 🙂
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