The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Bottega Veneta Pour Homme

bottegaWHAT I SMELL:  Bottega Veneta Pour Homme goes on with a blast of bergamot that is slightly citrus sweet, but then quickly turns towards a peppered layer that’s somewhat woody.    In a flash, the fir makes the entrance bringing in a pretty heft layer of forest.  After about 10 minutes the leather starts to make a very subtle presence and mixed with the labdanum it gives the fragrance almost an ambered hue.  What I appreciate about this fragrance is that the leather never overtakes the scent, but rather adds just a thin veneer to give it more of a leather finish.

From the Bottega Veneta website:

Bottega Veneta Pour Homme is a fresh, intriguing and understated fragrance, one where distinctive Bottega Veneta notes of precious Labdanum, Fir Balsam and Bergamot blend into a sensuous leathery signature with the power to enchant. Woven with rare and noble materials, the fragrance, a woody, aromatic leathery scent, takes us on an inspiring journey in time and place.

Notes include:  The notes include bergamot, pine, juniper berry, Jamaican pimento, fir balsam, sage, patchouli, and leather.

bottega2WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Classic ease bumped up with a dash of peppered sexy.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BOTTEGA VENETA POUR HOMME:  warm, peppery, easy

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOTTEGA VENETA POUR HOMME: D’Marge, Out.com

BOTTOM LINE:  For a mainstream fragrance, Bottega Veneta Pour Homme hits the mark.  It’s very much a classic men’s scent that is neither loud, obnoxious or offensive.   And there’s just enough of an edge on the classic to make this interesting for both younger and older gentlemen alike.

  • Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Aromatic Leather
  • Noses:   Daniela Andrier and Antoine Maisondieu
  • Classification:  Masculine
  • Expense:  $80 for 50ml EdT


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Puredistance Black

PuredistanceBlackWHAT 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.

madmen-black

 

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.


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Luberon by Maria Candida Gentile

LuberonWHAT I SMELL:  Luberon opens with a deep and earthy lavender bouquet.  It starts off a bit dry, but then it is met with a light mint which sweetens and moistens the fragrance.  It’s surprisingly refreshing but warm at the same time.  After around 20 minutes or so, there’s almost a light layer of caramel or honey on top of the mint .   After a bit more, the oakmoss starts to make its appearance, which then brings out a bit of dryness to make Luberon slightly powdered.  Funny, after a while, the drydown reminds me somewhat of vintage Miss Dior.  In the end, Luberon retreats to a lovely subtle dry and earthy powdered light lavender.

From the Maria Candida Gentile website:

Luberon is a composition which comes directly from the natural valleys of the south of France in spring.  It carries the gently relaxing and comforting scents of this beautiful and happy region, the Luberon.  The delicate fresh herbs are blended with an oak musk.

Top note:  Mediterranean lavender

Heart note:  May Rose

Base note:  Oak Musk

provence lavenderWHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  What I think Provence smells like…old, earthy, rural and beautiful.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE LUBERON:  comfortable, earthen, warm

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT LUBERON: Scent for Thought, Notable Scents

BOTTOM LINE:   Luberon is another solid fragrance from Maria Candida Gentile that in this case is not earth shattering, but clearly is a fragrance of quality.  My one regret that as a parfum extrait, the fragrance seems to disappear on me rather quickly.  However, I do notice that even though it vanishes, I do find traces of it still clinging to me in the morning.

  • Bone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Aromatic, Flower, Citrus
  • Nose:   Maria Candida Gentile
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  $165 for 30ml Parfum Extrait