WHAT I SMELL: Warszawa has a surprising opening with a sweetened violet that has a candied coating, which smells very similar to Valentine candy hearts (the kind with sayings on them). That sweet opening calms considerably in a few minutes letting in a fresh, yet restrained grapefruit note. What seemed not so subtle at the initial spritz becomes very subtle in a short matter of time. After the initial violet and grapefruit impressions, the perfume becomes seamless as individual notes blend without distinction. Instead, the perfume moves to a sweet and tarty and lightly soured persona. The perfume is sweet without being overtly so and the tartness when breathed in, seems to pull the air out to constrict your nostrils. In addition, a light spice peppers the top of the perfume. In a way, it feels rather like an exotic confectionary treat. After 15 minutes or so, a light powder begins to dust the perfume and it now feels very bright and feminine while at the same time warm and inviting. Warszawa unfolds like a day’s journey; the perfume starts bright and sweet like the dawn of a new day. As the day wears on, the spice of the florals add life and energy and then finally, the perfume provides a finishing crescendo as if entering the grand ball at the end of the evening. This is where the perfume settles into its final incarnation; a beauty that is unique as the noble city that bears its name.
From the Puredistance website:
Inspired by the class and elegance of Polish women and the rich history of the city of Warsaw, WARSZAWA evokes the chic of the golden days of Fashion and Perfume. This perfume has style, warmth – great depth of character – and will make you feel beautiful in a lush way. It will transport you to another world, a dreamy world, where you will feel elated and dizzy – in a good way.
Notes: Galbanum, Grapefruit, Violet leaf, Jasmin Absolute, Broom absolute, Orris butter, Patchouli, Vetiver and Styrax.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Pastel flowers – soft and muted, very feminine, very retro
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE WARSZAWA: semi-sweet, semi-tart, classic
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WARSZAWA: Odiferess, Parfumistans Blogg, Perfume Posse
BOTTOM LINE: The first time I put on Warszawa, I wondered if this would be the one Puredistance perfume that wouldn’t be a love for me. The sweetened opening was rather a surprise, but after the perfume began to emerge with its softer and more powdery edge I knew I was hooked. Warszawa isn’t an all-occasion everyday perfume. Instead, it’s a perfume you wear when you feel the need to be “grand.”
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Antoine Lie
- Classification: Leans feminine
- Expense: 295 Euros for 60 ml parfum extrait. Also available in 100 ml.
DRAW: The Puredistance team is graciously offering a 2 ml sample to three lucky Scented Hound readers. This draw is open to all readers worldwide. To enter, please complete the following:
- “Like” the Puredistance Facebook Page
- Enter a comment on this post as to why you would like to experience Warszawa or comment on your favorite Puredistance perfume.
To be included in the draw, the above two requirements must be completed by midnight Eastern Standard Time on November 11, 2017. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced the week starting on November 12, 2017. Good luck!
November 6, 2017 at 6:59 am
Hi Steven,
Isn’t it a swooner?
I have the last teensy bit of my sample stashed away for a fitting night. I think it deserves an evening at the opera in Vienna rather than a pint in a Yorkshire pub though. It could be a while before I wear this again!
Thank you for the mention and I hope you’re well x
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November 6, 2017 at 7:02 am
Hi Steve. Lovely review and can’t wait to try this again. My sample went wandering but I believe it’s winging its way here again. It was one of my favourites from Pitti and I have to say the team is so great that I have a real soft spot for the brand. Hope you are OK. xx Megan
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November 6, 2017 at 7:14 am
Megan – Warszawa is strikingly different from the rest of the line, but I love it’s femininity and it’s retro feel. I have a soft spot for the brand too 🙂
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November 6, 2017 at 7:09 am
I have yet to try anything from this line. The nots in this perfume sound delectable. I’d love to try this!
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November 6, 2017 at 7:10 am
I meant notes
x
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November 6, 2017 at 7:12 am
This sounds pretty awesome. It’s always those scents that I am originally ambiguous about (or even dislike) that end up hooking me the most!
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November 6, 2017 at 7:34 am
After having sampled 6 Puredistance fragrances, I’m all ears to try Warszawa as well, since it is sky-high on my try-out list (and the furthest my budget will allow me to go)
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November 6, 2017 at 7:40 am
I am embarrassed to say I haven’t tried this line. It came under my radar as I was heading into an austerity period with sampling! This one sounds right up my alley, appreciate the chance!
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November 6, 2017 at 7:56 am
One of my favorite fragrance is M! This is one of the few fragrances that has a dominant cumin note that I really enjoy. I love leather fragrances and own a bottle of vintage Bel Ami as well, but M clearly is the superior one to my nose.
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November 6, 2017 at 8:01 am
The scent of violets makes my world go ’round!
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November 6, 2017 at 8:38 am
I have yet to experience Puredistance. Would love to try this one.😘❤️
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November 6, 2017 at 8:38 am
Thanks for the opportunity, I already own and love white, sheiduna and opardu.
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November 6, 2017 at 9:23 am
Puredistance make the most wonderful perfumes – my favourites being Opardu and White (i only have a small sample of each – not a full bottle, mind). The violet note in this one has me all ears and really wanting to try it – it would be nice to feel ‘grand’ – even if just for a night! Thank you for the chance to try. (ps. i have liked the PD Fbook page for ages now).
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November 6, 2017 at 9:25 am
I’ve never rally tight of myself as a super girly girl (half of my head is buzzed short right now!), but you make this sound really lovely! It sound delicate but delicious. I’d love to try it. Thanks so much for the review and the draw!
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November 6, 2017 at 9:26 am
Really thought* I’m the worst at swyping on my phone!
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November 6, 2017 at 9:33 am
I have never tried anything from Puredistance. The combination of floral notes with a grapefruit note sounds heavenly. Thanks for this opportunity!
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November 6, 2017 at 9:35 am
I have only tried the first in the line, and it overwhelmingly struck me as a very balanced, very polished composition. I find the list of notes for this release so unruly that I would love to see what they’ve done with them to smooth them into a whole.
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November 6, 2017 at 9:59 am
I’m not usually keen on violets but I keep heading this compared to sweet tarts and it has me intrigued. I too like the house, especially Sheiduna. Would love to try.
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November 6, 2017 at 9:59 am
Hearing….sigh
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November 6, 2017 at 10:31 am
Violets, powder, retro-grandness?? Yup, sign me up. Have wanted to sample this since I heard of it earlier this year. Everyone needs a ” grand” perfume! Thanks for the chance, Steve! 😀
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November 6, 2017 at 11:18 am
I am not on Facebook, so congratulations to the winners.
I just wanted to comment to anyone who hasn’t sampled anything from this house ;
if you haven’t , please sample M . Simple outstanding for leather.
Once again , congrats to the winners.
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November 6, 2017 at 1:40 pm
I’ve sampled several from this line and found them truly beautiful. I’m intrigued by this representation of Warszawa. I’ve read some reviews and I’m very curious to try it. I’ve liked their page. Thanks so much for this generous opportunity.
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November 6, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Great review. The notes on this one sounds really good. Until now i’ve tried only M from Puredistance and i have to say it is just amazing the quality of leather in it, super smooth. I would love to try this one and i’m pretty sure it’s another gem from this house. Thanks for the chance.
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November 6, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Lots of new posters! My first Puredistance love is Opardu (and I have enough to bathe in it), White and M (and for me to include M is a miracle as I have a low tolerance for cumin). I would love to try this nee one. Despite my aversion to Facebook, my extended family uses it extensively and it’s how I het some news; I’ e already liked Puredistance a while back.
Thanks for the review and the draw.
Hope all is well with you and yours!
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November 6, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Hi Scented Hound ~~ Don’t think I’ve tried anything from this line (I think I’m conflating it with Aroma M, lol…), but I was in Krakow two falls ago with my daughter and very happy to resuscitate my moribund Polish. I’m all about high romance in the land of poppies and beetroot… bring it on. Thanks for the draw …. and dzienkuye.
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November 6, 2017 at 7:45 pm
I love Puredistance M, and would really like to try this out!
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November 6, 2017 at 8:48 pm
This sounds so beautiful and the description instantly gives me an image of elegant ladies with embroidered kerchiefs and fur jackets. I would like to try this scent to experience how patchouli, orris and vetiver line up to dance with jasmine, violet leaf and galbanum.
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November 7, 2017 at 8:46 am
Already liked their FB page long ago! I love this brand, one reason being they don’t rush their releases and overwhelm with too many new additions. My favorite scent by them currently is Antonia. Thank you for the draw!
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November 7, 2017 at 5:03 pm
I would like to try it cause i love the notes and The green bottle. Thank you.
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November 9, 2017 at 3:47 pm
This sounds intriguing and the description is amazing. I would love to try this line. Thanks for the chance.
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November 9, 2017 at 4:25 pm
I love Puredistance. Pure quality! I had M and White and loved them. Now Warszawa sounds also just wonderful. I have a soft spot for this kind of “grande dame” perfumes and would love to try it. Thank you!
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November 10, 2017 at 3:25 am
Hi,
I would love to try this. Have not tried this house as it is an expensive house, but have heard great things about them.
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November 11, 2017 at 8:09 pm
I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Puredistance perfume,but would like to experience Warszawa for when I need to be grand (and I love spicy florals).
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November 11, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Love Puredistance perfumes, Opardu being my favorite. Warszawa sounds divine, pastel flowers, heavenly. Really want to try it. Thanks!! Liked Facebook page also.
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November 14, 2017 at 5:59 am
M is the only one I have tried from the line and I loved it. Thank you for the draw!
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