Puredistance | The Scented Hound

WHAT I SMELL: Black opens with a sweet and deep incense and smoky accord. I want to say there’s some bergamot and what seems to be a bit of floraled honey mixed with the smokiness. That initial smokiness breaks away somewhat to reveal this almost butter like creamy light almond. But as soon as I notice that, the incense starts to waft up from the bottom again, this time with what seems to be a bit of sueded leather. There’s a bit of sour that makes an appearance that doesn’t detract, but like the smoke and incense, seems to pop in and out. After around 15 minutes it seems like there is a bit of peppered metallic that makes an appearance. Again, it comes and goes like all of the other notes which seem to intermix seamlessly without one note dominating. In the end you’re left with a very light, close to the skin, smooth and elegant slightly woody incensed perfume.

From the Puredistance Black release materials:

A MYSTERIOUS AND CHARMING FRAGRANCE THAT STAYS CLOSE TO THE WEARER AND WHISPERS STYLE & ELEGANCE

Puredistance Black is an understated elegant and mysteriously charming perfume inspired by the concept of BLACK; a concept that for centuries has been associated with secrets, mystery and style.

Puredistance BLACK is created in Paris by the famous French Perfumer Antoine Lie based on a concept of Puredistance founder Jan Ewoud Vos. The essence of the concept was to create a perfume that is close to the wearer and releases sensual and elegant scent layers in a whispering way – without shouting. A mysterious fragrance that stays in the shadow, giving away – only every now and then – part of its delicate nature.

Antoine loved the concept and created a sophisticated perfume full of charm with the same elegant personality as the timeless classic Puredistance I, but then more masculine and oriental.

And as a consequence of the concept of BLACK (that treasures the beauty of the unknown) we will not reveal the ingredients of Puredistance BLACK…. Envision, Smell, Feel. Don’t analyse.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A man of many secrets. What I mean is that there is a mysteriousness that surrounds Black. It’s very subtle and holds very close to the skin. It leans masculine and it doesn’t reveal itself until you are close at hand…you might catch a whiff of the fragrance from a slight distance, but you wonder where this deep and dark fragrance originates from. Then you realize, It originates from the man of many secrets.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BLACK: quality, enigmatic, smooth

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BLACK: BL’eauOG, Perfume Shrine

BOTTOM LINE: Once again Puredistance has created a fragrance that is of the utmost quality and elegance. The one thing about Black that I was not expecting though is how subtle it is and how much it wears close to the skin especially for a parfum concentration. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because Puredistance is not the house that creates perfumes that shout…”look at me,” and that’s a good thing!

Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
Nose: Antoine Lie
Classification: Leans masculine
Expense: Black is a pure perfume (25% perfume oil) and will be available in November 2013. The EU retail price will be 165 euro for 17.5 ml, 275 euro for 60 ml. and 490 euro for the 100 ml. flacon.

Disclosure: Product for review provided courtesy of Puredistance.

I’m the first to admit that I am a sucker for luxury; be it high count egyptian cotton sheets and sumptuous towels to high-end luxury vehicles. It’s amazing how elegant and finely tailored products can make you to purr like a kitten when you’re wrapped in their comfort. Puredistance M to me is one of those products.

WHAT I SMELL: M opens with a citrus blast that lasts for mere minutes. It’s a bit of a strange opening like that of a lemon sour cocktail. After a few more minutes you start to detect the cinnamon note. If I didn’t know it was cinnamon, I would say that it’s almost like cumin. This is when it really becomes interesting as M starts to turn up the spice. It’s exotic and mysterious and I keep expecting that at some point I’m going to be hit with a blast of something unknown. But M stays subdued and smooth as silk. True to its luxuriousness, it knows it’s an Aston Martin and not a Chevrolet. I love how M slowly builds. It’s in no hurry to develop and it takes a bit of time but eventually the leather comes forward in a smoky aura. As you know I’m not a big fan of leathers, but M’s leather is so ethereal. It’s like a thin layer at the bottom of the spice. Added to the layers of leather and spice is a slightly sweet patchouli with just a bit of oakmoss to give a dry powdery edge. M is not big on sillage, but hugs close to the skin. But I don’t care, it’s for me, not for anyone else.

From the Puredistance website:

Created in London by Roja Dove, M is a leather chypre of classic proportions… with an unexpected oriental twist. Sumptuous and complex, noble and sophisticated.

M Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Rose, Jasmine, Cinnamon, Mosses, Cistus, Vetiver, Patchouli, Vanilla, Leather, Musk

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Self-assurance. M is a fragrance for the man who doesn’t need to shout to the world that he has arrived. He never arrived. He was always there.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE M: sophisticated, confident, elegantly-understated

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE M: Kafkaesque, From Top to Bottom – Perfume Patter, Perfume-Smellin’ Things

BOTTOM LINE: M is a quiet treasure. Puredistance has created a fragrance that is elegantly understated for the man who likes the finer things in life. In addition to the beautiful scent, the packaging is exceptional as the 17.5ml cylinder comes in a silk lined box. How much more luxurious can you get than that?

Note to my readers, the wonderful Kafkaesque has teamed with Puredistance to offer samples of M and Opardu to 10 lucky readers of her blog. The draw ends on May 13th, so be sure to give her a visit.

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Leather Chypre
Nose: Roja Dove
Classification: Unisex – but leans masculine
Expense: $198 for 17.5ml or $330 for 60ml Perfume Extrait

Disclosure: Product for review provided courtesy of Puredistance.