The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Dia Man by Amouage

Happy Labor Day to all the US folks out there.  I’m having a quiet day off as we’re heading off to vacation later this week so I’m doing all of those things that require preparation:  loading books on my Kindle, making sure that my camera batteries are charged, washing clothes, etc.  Rather dull, but necessary. Of course, all of this dullness needed some help in pepping me up.  So, in the midst of cleaning up my office, I went in my “unsampled” bag and pulled out Dia Man.  I knew that an Amouage scent would be nice and strong and since I am doing chores all day I wanted to smell fabulous doing them.

WHAT I SMELL: A warm incense (very discreet and light), with bitter orange and I believe cardamon (based on the notes listing).  It smells like a modern/traditional scent, in that it’s elegant and luxurious.  It’s also surprisingly warm.  I was expecting something more heavily floral.  After a bit, an interesting plum notes barely sneaks out which adds more depth along with the peony.  For the next couple of hours, Dia stays in this warm slightly spicy amberish floral stage that is extremely luxurious and inviting.  I have the feeling if I was in the office today I would be asked what I was wearing.  In the end, what I was left with a nice and pleasant and slightly powdery woody floral, it’s very serene and I find it to be a bit feminine.  Of course since this is an Amouage fragrance, it has great longevity and sillage.

Top notes: cistus, bigarade, cardamom, frankincense, labdanum
Heart notes: peony, ylang ylang, orris, plum
Base notes: vetiver, leather, patchouli, amber, palissander

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  I am picturing a 1920’s “Out of Africa” scene.  Exotic, yet refined colonial atmosphere in the plains of Africa.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE DIA MAN:  warm, privileged, fluid

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT DIA MAN: From Top to Bottom, Eiderdown Press

BOTTOM LINE:  Amouage fragrances are quality personified and Dia Man is no exception.  As good as this is, it’s probably not something that I would add to my collection as I wouldn’t wear it enough to justify the hefty price.  But I’ll know that I’ll be back to visit every now and then!

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Woody Floral Musk
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Expense: $260 for 50ml EdP


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A*Men Pure Havane by Thierry Mugler

The wonderful Undina and I swapped some samples a while back and I am slowly making my way through each and every one. It’s been a real treat.  Today’s sampling was a very nice surprise!

WHAT I SMELL:  A*Men Pure Havane opens with a wonderful sweet tobacco ladened honey.  It’s warm and delicious and oh so edible; you just want to lick it off of your skin.  This could easily have gone over the top, but it doesn’t as the labdanum and amber mixed with the vanilla and cocoa leaves this scent grounded.  It’s so full bodied, gourmand and wonderfully unique and bold.  Once this scent takes off, it remains in this state of sweetened warmth. You just can’t help but to continually sniff your wrist while wearing this.  Thankfully A*Men Pure Havane also has wonderful sillage and longevity.  Goody!

A*Men Pure Havane notes:  fresh tobacco leaves, honeyed tobacco accord, patchouli, and bitter cocoa

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Cuba 1955.  I can picture a open aired bar with rotating celing fans to drive away the heat, a Mojito, a white suit, and a large cigar.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE A*MEN PURE HAVANE:  masculine, comfortable, confident

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT A*MEN PURE HAVANE:  CaFluereBon, EauMG, Now Smell This

BOTTOM LINE:  This flanker is a limited edition, but can still be purchased on the Thierry Mugler website for a very reasonable $88 for 100ml bottle.  I may just be doing that.  Although I keep reading that this is similar to Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille so you might just see me at Nordstrom’s checking that out this weekend.  However, I don’t think I can get Tom Ford for $88!  Thanks Undina, I am loving this!

  • Bone Rating: 4.5 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Oriental Vanilla
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Nose: Jacques Huclier
  • Expense: $88 for 100ml EdT


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Chypre Rouge by Serge Lutens

If a fragrance is golden, amber or red, I want to check it out.  Add oakmoss and Serge Lutens, I have no choice but to check it out!

WHAT I SMELL:  A strong coffee/tonka bean spiced opening (some say it smells curried, I can see that too). The top notes are listed as pine needle and thyme, but what I find is that it’s incredibly gourmand, like some chocolate latte spiced drink or what you smell when you walk by a Yankee Candle Company (if you don’t know this smell, it is overpowering and a little goes a long way).  I find this opening very interesting and intriguing, but I am wondering if I want to smell like that all day.   This opening last for a while, but when it begins to dissipate, the dusty oakmoss which I love so much starts to surface along with a honeyed fruitiness. But the fruit is not sweet, the oakmoss keeps it grounded and earthy.   This phase is strong at first but slowly mellows and Chypre Rouge begins to hug closely to the skin. What I was left with after many hours was a layer of light sweet berry which then strangely moves into a barely detectable incense.

Chypre Rouge Notes:  thyme, pine tree needles, honey, bees wax, jasmine and fruity resins, patchouli, moss, amber, musk and vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  What I was expecting was  a full-bodied Moulin Rouge can-can kind of scent.  Rouge/Red to me means loud and vibrant.  Instead I found this to be a calming, close to the skin, lovely chypre scent that starts off with an outrageous bang.  To illustrate, the opening is pure Pepe Le Pew, while the remainder is his beloved object of affection

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE CHYPRE ROUGE:  bipolar, unique, mysterious

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CHYPRE ROUGE: SmellyThoughts, Now Smell This, I Smell Therefore I Am

BOTTOM LINE: This may have show up on my full-bottle want list for the fall.  My only concern is that it disappears on me quicker than I would like.  More testing is definitely needed…and that’s a good thing!

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Chypre Fruity
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Nose: Christopher Sheldrake
  • Expense: Approximately $125-140 for 50ml EdP