WHAT I SMELL: Garanat opens with a hint of spiced cinnamon that very quickly turns to the rose. The perfume is soft and creamy, yet at the same time it grabs the wearer because it demands attention as it grows in volume and its middle eastern gravitas. There’s not a lot at play with Garanat, the perfume is a straight shot of incense infused deeply intoxicating beefish oriental rose. As such, it doesn’t change much except for the incense becoming a bit more pronounced along with a woody timbre. But from the beginning to the end, Garanat is masculine and incredibly sexy all while being a perfect gentleman. Who knew rose and incense could be so incredible? It’s a simple as that.
From the Bvlgari website:
Inspired by the deep Red Garnet from Bosphorus, the fragrance conveys masculine strength and forerightness. The crimson gemstone shines in the darkness, bringing its wearer the impassioned courage and vision of Suleyman the Magnificent, the most seducing Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
A dense, spellbinding swirl of an ardent and masculine rose entwined with noble smoked incense for a mesmerizing fragrance of supreme virile force.
Notes: Cinnamon Essence, Rose Absolute, Smoked Incense
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Middle Eastern sexiness; Egyptian actor Yasser Galal.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GARANAT: bold, manly, refined
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GARANAT: No reviews found.
BOTTOM LINE: Garanat is not a perfume full of twists and turns. Once it goes on, you get rose and incense and that’s where it stays for hours. Garanat is a simply elegant, long lasting masculine beauty.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Oriental
- Nose: Jacques Cavallier
- Classification: Leans masculine
- Expense: $332 for 100 ml eau de parfum.
WHAT I SMELL: Ma Griffe opens with bright aldehydes followed by a mix of florals that turn surprisingly green. There’s an undercurrent of rapturous warmth that sits below the florals that makes the perfume heady and full-bodied in a rather provocative manner. Ma Griffe is not shy in the least and as it goes on she tells you exactly who she is right from the beginning. As the perfume continues to develop, there’s a note or combination of notes that reminds me of slightly worn silk undergarments. It’s a mix of perfume, powder and just a hint of light sweat gained from normal daily activity. As such, this makes Ma Griffe a veritible seductress. As the perfume continues to morph, the florals begin to deepen with tonka bean taking root along side a drying oak moss. Here, Ma Griffe is fully in charge and makes it known that she is all woman and doesn’t mind if you call her a dame.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The unapologetic user of men; Barbara Stanwyck in the pre-code classic movie “Babyface.”
WHAT I SMELL: Solo’s opening is a nicely warm one with a lightly herbal lavender that is quickly met with a brightened patchouli that sits between earthy, funky and cottony fresh. There’s also an underlying citrus note that helps to keep the patchouli in an uplifted manner. Pretty much from the first spritz, the perfume is fresh, rather dewy and light with a wonderfully positive persona. As the perfume continues to develop, it begins to move to the more spiced with a lightly sweetened cumin, nutmeg and cinnamon melding with the patchouli. Thankfully, the perfume remains light and airy as the spice is kept at the right depth. Soon afterwards, the perfume begins to dry and it takes on a hazy finish. For the most part, Solo remains true to the lavender, patchouli and lightly spiced heart, but it starts moving towards a clean musk finish. But as soon as I thought it would end there, a flattened slightly sour woody note comes to the forefront and that’s unfortunate as the perfume prior to this development was very likable and now it’s just… OK.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A careworn ranch house from the 1950s or 60s. When it was built it was a beauty, but over time it has become a bit tired and dated and needs a little sprucing up.
The Scented Hound 