WHAT I SMELL:  Flamenco dances open with a cotton candy raspberry that’s quickly met with a sweet and candied violet.  Very soon after, a soft orris makes a quick entrance making the super sweet opening something a bit more tame.  But don’t get me wrong, the perfume still remains in the confectionary, but now it includes a lovely musky undertow.  Soon the florals begin to break through with a rounded rose front and center.  Here, Flamenco begins to quickly grow and rise as it seems to spin wildly off of the skin.  It’s here that the perfume resides for some time; at times soft, at other times projecting greatly.  But each time it moves, Flamenco becomes a bit warmer and more comforting.  Flamenco doesn’t morph all that much after this point, and in the end the rose, mixed with the soured woods, wafts along as if they’re ready to once again start a fire on the dance floor.

From the Ramon Monegal website:

“I have submerged myself in an art known for its great emotional intensity and which comes from something rooted in my cultural origins, flamenco. Distinguished by its wild gestures, ferocious foot stamping, profound laments and guitar flourishes. Flamenco, my olfactory manifesto to the Andalusian character tattooed with fire on the soul of Spain. Flamenco is a profound and passionate art… it’s a unique state of mind. It’s my forbidden hypnotic fruit!” – Ramon Monegal

Top Notes:  Raspberry, Violet, Orris

Heart Notes:  Jasmin, Rosewood, Red Rose

Base Notes:  Musk, Amberwood, Cedarwood

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  With the name Flamenco, can there be any other visual than a whirling Flamenco dancer?!

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE FLAMENCO:  sweet, smooth, swirling

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT FLAMENCO:  Australian Perfume Junkies, CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE:  Flamenco dances nicely for quite some time.  The candied opening is appealing and the pulsing rose in the heart is lovely.  Unfortunately for me, the soured wood is just a bit…too soured for too long for me.  But I have the feeling Flamenco is either a “love the dance or hate the dance” kind of perfume.

• Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent: Amber Floral
• Classification: Unisex
• Expense: $240 for 50 ml eau de parfum.  Available at Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.