The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens

All perfumistas have gone through the process of making a purchase smell unseen.  For the most part when I have done this I come away with a great product.  A couple of months ago, I blindly purchased Ambre Sultan based on reviews that I read and I am thrilled to say that I love this fragrance.  And as an added bonus, I always receive compliments whenever I have this on.  This is not a fragrance for the timid and shy.  Strong and almost medicinal when first applied, it warms to a nice dry, spicy and woody enveloping scent.  This is amber without the sweetness.  Amber Sultan is perfect for a winter’s day…I can only imagine how it will wear in the heat of the summer!  You can definitely understand the “sultan” in Ambre Sultan thanks to the exotic incense spiciness of this most perfect fragrance. Where’s my magic carpet?

Ambre Sultan Notes:

coriander, amber, oregano, bay leaf, myrtle, angelica root, sandalwood, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla

  • Bone Rating:   5 out of 5 possible bones
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:   $100 for 50ml


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Les Nombres d’Or Cuir by Mona di Orio

Les Nombres d’Or Cuir was my first foray into the perfumes created by Mona di Orio who tragically passed away at the end of this last year.  And what an interesting introduction into this line of fragrances.  Les Nombres d’Or Cuir has an incredibly strong opening.  And it’s an opening of smoke, cigarettes and burnt paper.  This is considered a leather scent, but the leather is so hidden and disguised behind this screen of smoke. After about an hour the scent evened out to a sharp, almost green scent but with the smoke ever-present.  This is an intriguing scent, but I am not sure when and where I would want to wear it.  In the end though, if the other Mona di Orio creations are this daring, I am looking forward to sampling some more.

From the Mona di Orio website:

Opening with a whiff of Gauloise-like smoke it quickly becomes toasted spices and sweet absinthe before the appearance of the leather. Neatly straddling the line between biker and Birkin bag, the leather is almost carnal in its depth. In these days of anodyne scents and trans-fat free lives this is a welcome walk on the wild side that would be wonderful on a man. On a woman? Only one way to put it: Cuir is ruthlessly chic.

Cuir Notes:
Cardamom, Absinth, Leather, Cade, Resinoid Opoponax, Castoreum

  • Bone Rating:   3 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Leather
  • Classification:  Unisex, but leans masculine
  • Expense:   $170 for 100ml


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The Cherry Blossom Challenge

100 years ago on March 27, 1912, the Japanese Government gave a gift to the United States of 3000 cherry trees.  This year, Washington DC will be celebrating the centennial of that wonderful gift.  For those of you who have never visited our nation’s capital in late March and early April, it’s a breathtaking introduction into spring.  Today, there are almost 4,000 cherry trees that surround the tidal basin around the Jefferson Memorial.  Throngs of visitors stroll under the trees which resemble fluffy white and pink clouds. It is a special time of year for us here.

To celebrate this annual season, I would like to welcome in spring and the cherry blossoms with a new fragrance that would compliment this time of year.  I would love to hear from others on recommendations of a scent that would epitomize the transition to spring, the beautiful cherry blossoms and the centennial of this annual celebration. For more information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival, click on the link below:

The National Cherry Blossom Festival