The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Poivre Piquant by L’Artisan Parfumeur

Another sample, another scent that isn’t for me.  Don’t get me wrong, this cologne is very distinctive and clean smelling.  When I first applied it to my skin, the pepper really popped out, but as it settled in, it became much more light and airy.  I would say it almost has a lily smell to it (most likely the honey).  I would consider this a nice spring or summer cologne for those who like very clean scents.  I am also finding that the scent lasts, but is in no way overpowering.

The following is from the L’Artisan Parfumeur website:

White hot pepper tempered with sensual woods

Poivre Piquant is inspired by a wedding story in the Kama Sutra. Sugar and pepper were sprinkled on the bride’s wedding veil. Sugar for the sweetness of life, pepper for the sparkling joy (and sensuality!) to come. This blend of white hot pepper tempered with milky woody notes is sharp, soft and burning all at once. A hint of liquorice and honey round off this elegant essay in aphrodisiac desire.

white pepper, milk, honey

  • Bone Rating:   2 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Light and clean pepper
  • Classification:  Leans feminine
  • Expense:   Moderate – $100 for 50ml


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Sweet Redemption by By Kilian

One of the great things about buying cologne is that usually receive samples along with your purchase.  In December I was in NY and stopped at MiN New York in Soho (love the store, but that’s another story).  I received a few samples, a couple of them were from Kilian.  Today I thought I would try out one of the samples, Sweet Redemption.  This apparently is part of the Kilian L’Oeurvre Noire collection.  One word: Ugggggh!  This is labeled as a unisex perfume, but it definitely leans toward the feminine side.  So how do I describe this perfume???  I keep coming back to the thought that this reminds me of what a Pier One store used to smell like in the 1970s!  It smells of sweet incense and oils.  It is what I would consider to be a “hippy chick” kind of perfume.  Bottom line, it’s not for me.

I looked at the Kilian website and I couldn’t find an official overview, but I did find the following at the Lucky Scent website (another great store and website):

Sweet Redemption Notes
Orange blossom, vanilla, myrrh, opopanax, benzoin, incense

  • Bone Rating:   1 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Very sweet incense
  • Classification:  Feminine
  • Expense:   Very; $225 for 50ml


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Royal-Oud by Creed

Ahhhh, Christmas, the time of the year when gift giving is plentiful and the worries about spending too much money are put aside.  Some time in November my partner and I were shopping at Nordstrom and we were given a spritz of the new Creed Royal-Oud scent.  I liked it, but at $300 a bottle, I didn’t think I liked it all that much.  My partner really loved the scent, so I decided to surprise him with it for Christmas.  I have found in the past that Creed fragrances typically don’t wear well with me, so I have held back from them in the past.  But the first time my partner put this on, I absolutely loved it on him.  It goes on very green and woody, but as it dries it warms and has more of a light musk smell.  It smells expensive, but I’m not sure it smells $300 expensive and I can’t tell if it’s long lasting or if I my nose just easily become accustomed to it.  But as long as my partner is happy with it, so am I.

Scented Hound Barks:

  • Bone Rating:   4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Woody/Musky
  • Classification:  Masculine/Warm
  • Expense:   Very

From the Creed Website:

Wood, leather marble and gold,” elements of a royal Persian palace, inspire Olivier CREED, sixth-generation master perfumer of France, an architect of fragrance, to create new Royal-Oud for men and women.  Rare, hypnotic, sumptuous oud, an ingredient coaxed from Agarwood trees of India –- and more costly per ounce than palladium –- lends its power to this blend.  CREED Royal-Oud gives the contemporary American man and woman a touch of the splendor of palace life, Persian and Parisian™.

Characteristics:  Universal and modern. Luxury both Persian and Parisian™.

  • Top Notes: A crown of Calabrian lemon, pink berry and Sicilian bergamot.
  • Middle Notes: Cedar, galbanum and angelic root.
  • Base Notes:  Regal Indian oud, sandalwood and Tonkin musk.