WHAT I SMELL:  Années Folles opens with a sugared lavender, almost gourmand in its goodness and with a rather chocolate edge.  In addition, there’s an incredibly warm thyme and nutmeg that is quite creamy and lightly spiced.  What started off as cuddly and reassuring begins to lighten significantly and the perfume moves from the gourmand to somewhat woody as a lightly spiced geranium adds just a bit of crackle to a vetiver base.  But soon enough, the woody turns to more of a ambered benzoin once again moving towards a deeper and warmer state of being.  In fact, the perfume has a rather mentholated character at this juncture…and it just feels so easy and perfectly proper, yet comforting.  A half hour or so into the wear, the patchouli makes it way in, but without dominating the perfume.  Instead, like the progression thus far, it quietly enters in a seamless and graceful manner.  In the end, the perfume moves once again more towards the woody, while still maintaining the right balance of radiant warmth. Années Folles is a return to classic perfumery and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

From the La Perfumerie Moderne website:

“Années Folles” swings like a mysterious aromatic melody on a warm pulsating amber rhythm.

The powdery and woody insouciance wake of a festive atmosphere calls the tune until dawn from the open windows of this proud hotel overlooking the Mediterranean.

Fragrance Notes:  Lavender, Thyme, Nutmeg, Geranium, Vetiver, Tonka Bean, Benzoin, Patchouli

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A quiet sophistication…Edward VIII later in life.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ANNÉES FOLLES:  proper, warm, urbane

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ANNÉES FOLLES:  CaFleureBon (with link to Looking Feeling Smelling Great video review)

BOTTOM LINE: Années Folles was a wonderful surprise.  For whatever reason, I was ambivalent about this perfume line, the look of the bottles; maybe the “moderne” in the name.  In any case, Années Folles is an incredible perfume; one that’s perfect for today’s modern man, while paying homage to the modern man of the past.

• Bone Rating:  4.5 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent:  Woody Aromatic
• Nose:  Marc-Antoine Corticchiato
• Classification: Unisex, but leans masculine
• Expense: $220 for 100 ml Eau de Parfum

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.  Opinion my own.