Since 1901, Bergdorf Goodman has been providing the utmost in quality, service and luxury to New York City on the corner of 5th Avenue and 58th Street.  To celebrate this New York landmark, Master Perfumer Roja Dove was asked to create a perfume exclusively for Goodman’s the Bergdorf Goodman men’s store.  Creating a perfume for such a legendary institution is no small feat.   To meet the challenge, Roja Dove wanted to create a perfume, that in his words, captures the “special mix of sophistication, excitement and pure luxury” of this exclusive and iconic store.

WHAT I SMELL:  Goodman’s opens with a rich and deep bergamot and cedar, quickly followed by a spiced mandarin.  The cedar retreats quickly to make room for this incredible jasmine.  It’s warm and lush and it feels like you’re walking (or should I say sinking in) on deep piled carpet.  The florals are heady while still maintaining a masculine edge of rounded and achingly beautiful thickness.  I love my florals and this bouquet meets all my standards of what a good floral mix should be comprised of;  rounded, voluminous, mixed and blended to perfection so that you can’t see distinguish one floral note from another.  There’s also a rather buttery tone that the florals rest on which after around 10 minutes lightens and retreats as do the heady aspects of the florals.   This makes way for a more woody timbre with the vetiver taking center stage in concert with an herbal and slightly peppery finish.  Soon enough, as if a fog has started to creep in, the frankincense starts to appear very lightly from below.  What started off as full on traditional floral is now taking a more exotic turn as the frankincense then becomes front and center.  The woody and dry patchouli mixed with the incense renders the fragrance to an almost powdery consistency.  I am amazed by the fragrance’s transformation; it feels as if you are making the descent from a temperate and fertile elevation down to a more dramatically arid zone in the space of 30 minutes. Goodman’s then takes on a more sober and formal turn as the fragrance settles into quiet dignity with a warmish patchouli and vetiver with streams of incense weaving throughout.  That, combined with just an ever so slight sweetness and a bite of civet, lets you know that although the perfume is dignified, there’s still a bit of mischief that abounds.

From the Bergdorf Goodman website:

A dynamic burst of Mandarin and Bergamot creates a fresh foil for a rich bouquet of Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Neroli, and May Flower, enlivened with Cinnamon Leaves, Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Coriander, warmed by Cedarwood, Patchouli, and Vetiver, nestling on a refined, sensual base of Frankincense, Castoreum, and Civet.

Top Notes:  Bergamot, Mandarin

Heart Notes:  Neroli, Rose, Jasmine, Jasmine Sambac, Ylang Ylang, May Flower

Base Notes:  Cinnamon Leaves, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Coriander, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Vetiver, Frankincense, Castoreum, Civet

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  An 18th century French royal carriage ride; leaving the majesty of Versailles to journey to the historically holy Avignon. 

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE GOODMAN’S:  dignified, calm, self-assured

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GOODMAN’S:  I haven’t found any other reviews thus far.

BOTTOM LINE:  If you look solely at the notes, the fragrance could read like many others as individual parts.  However, like Bergdorf Goodman, Roja Dove has used the finest of materials to create this incredibly luxurious compliment to this grand institution of enduring style, refinement and quality.  I have to admit that the floral aspects of the opening and of the heart blew me away and I wish the fragrance would have stayed there forever.  Mr. Dove if you’re listening, maybe this could be the inspiration for a new exclusive Scented Hound perfume??!

• Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
• Classification: Masculine
• Expense: $545 for 50ml parfum, exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman via the website or by directly calling Roja Parfums Bergdorf Goodman Representative, Tom Crutchfield at 212-872-2768.

Sample courtesy of Tom Crutchfield, Roja Parfums.