WHAT I SMELL: Pichola opens with a light, soft combination of magnolia and tempered spice. It’s like a whisper that meets the back of your neck with a breath of tenderness. In a couple of minutes that whisper opens to what feels like dawn, or the rising of the sun. You can feel the perfume becoming brighter, more radiant and alive. The blending of the notes makes it difficult to distinguish individual notes, but that’s a good thing because together they paint such a beautiful picture. The florals are front and center of the perfume, but they are subdued, rather gentle and oh so pretty and graceful. After 15 minutes or so, the florals begin to grow, becoming more lush and slightly sweeter with the jasmine most pronounced along with a creamy ylang-ylang. The sandalwood provides a touch of dimension under the budding florals. As the perfume continues to grow, the creaminess expands to create a milky wrap around the florals as if it’s trying to contain the uncontainable burgeoning blossoms. I keep waiting for the florals to explode, but instead they blossom and grow large without shouting. The perfume culminates in this creamy haze of floral and lightly woody and sweet delightfulness.
From the Neela Vermeire Creations website:
Lake Pichola is the crown jewel and central focus of the princely city of Udaipur. A myriad of colourful historic, architectural and spiritual re!ections fall on this splendid water body – the sunlight and moonlight of each season bringing out the eternal and timeless beauty of Lake Pichola. Our latest fragrance captures such countless re!ections on the lake from the past to the present – showcasing the splendour of opulent and vibrant flowers, princely spices and precious woods taking us on an unforgettable and hypnotic fragrant journey. Once you have experienced the diverse and stunning beauty of these indescribable re!ections you will understand the true meaning of timeless luxury and e”ortless beauty….
TOP NOTES Cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, juniper, magnolia, neroli oil, clementine, bergamot
HEART NOTES Orange blossom absolute, rose absolute, tuberose absolute, Jasmine sambac, ylangylang
BASE NOTES Benzoin absolute, sandalwood, driftwood, vetiver from Haiti
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Daybreak. The sun, warmth and quietness opening up to a new and glorious day.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PICHOLA: reflective, jeweled, comforting
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PICHOLA: Kafkaesque, The Goodsmellas, Persolaise
BOTTOM LINE: Pichola is the quiet cousin of the fantastic Bombay Bling. Both are incredibly uplifting floral beauties and there is an unmistakable connection in their composition. But, Pichola is more restrained and subdued. It’s as if the Bombay Bling party has ended and it’s time for some down time to reflect on the excitement of the day.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Oriental Floral
- Nose: Bertrand Duchaufour
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: Launching in April 2015 in the US. EU residents can place orders via the Neela Vermeire website for 205 Euros for 60ml.
Sample courtesy of Neela Vermeire Creations.
March 30, 2015 at 5:30 am
I really like this one too. Definitely not bombastic, and you’ve described it perfectly.
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 5:45 am
Thanks Megan. I’m sure this was a hit at Esxence.
LikeLike
April 1, 2015 at 6:15 am
Well in my mind it was! I did overhear people coming to her stand and saying ” I want to smell Pichola ” constantly so it was definitely sought after
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 7:13 am
I liked Bombay Bling, but it was a bit over the top for me so Pichola should be perfect. I will definitely have to try it. Thanks for a lovely review. I now have a great sense of what Pichola will smell like. Wish I had some now to greet the dawn!
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 6:54 pm
Rickybarco, Pichola is still bright like Bombay Bling, but much more subdued. I hope you get to try it soon 🙂
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 9:19 am
Steve, this sounds truly lovely. Daybreak, not overwhelming, creamy, milky, and floral? This sounds exactly like a scent I would love. I do hope I get a chance to try this one. Thanks for the review!
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 6:54 pm
You’re welcome my dear 🙂
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 9:36 am
I’ll definitely give this a sniff, with the hope that Pichola is so well-blended that I won’t detect the tuberose at all. Has anyone come up with a term yet for the perfumista’s version of “la la la la I can’t hear you”? Thanks for the lovely review and the stunning pic to illustrate it.
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 6:55 pm
I have read some reviews where the tuberose was noted. I didn’t find that to be the case. I’ll be curious if it comes to the front for you!
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 11:58 am
Lovely review of Pichola my dear Houndie! I’m going to review this perfume as first after my return from Esxence. Bit in first order I got to get a hold of my trip reports 😀
LikeLike
March 30, 2015 at 6:56 pm
I can only imagine how many new releases you’ll be reviewing in the next month. I can’t wait to see the new offerings out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31, 2015 at 4:51 am
There has been a ton of new brands and I only manage to try just a few of them
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 31, 2015 at 12:23 am
It sounds lovely on you, my sweets. And thank you for the link love!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 4, 2015 at 2:14 pm
I’m craving to try Pichola. “The sun, warmth and quietness opening up to a new and glorious day”; what beautidul and poetic words! I liked Bombay Bling a lot but found it a bit too much for some occasions. Pichola sounds perfect. Is it kind of like Amouage Dia to its louder sister Gold??
LikeLike
April 5, 2015 at 6:00 am
What a great analogy…yes, that’s perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 5, 2015 at 9:26 pm
I look forward to trying Pichola since I like NVC and so far was impressed by all of their creations.
LikeLike
Pingback: Neela Vermeire Creations Pichola EDP Perfume Review | EauMG
Pingback: Pichola by Bertrand Duchaufour for Neela Vermeire Creations 2015 « AustralianPerfumeJunkies