WHAT I SMELL: M V2Q explodes on the skin with a dry and smooth lavender and an electric pink peppercorn. In all, it’s a surprisingly big opening. In quick manner the perfume dries and powders and seemingly expands. As it does, the perfume starts reaching to the depths with a warmed cinnamon tinged leather and begins to move to the more creamy with the addition of a beautiful jasmine sambac. I was a little worried from the start because the perfume was so dry that when I smelled it literally constricted my nostrils, but my worries dissipated with the growing creaminess and the beautiful floral heart. At this stage, the perfume is warm and inviting and increasingly sensual. The perfume seems to infuse itself into ones’ skin as one making it more of an essence than a layer of fragrance. As the perfume continues to develop, the cream begins to subside making way for a sharper mix of patchouli and tonka. Here M V2Q seems to flex its muscle with a nicely masculine beefiness that is not shy in the least. But once again the perfume seems to roll on out to the smooth and creamy as it settles from the more provocative to the more sublime. M V2Q is a handsome devil of a perfume.
From the Puredistance website:
M V2Q is utterly smooth and refined. Welcome to a world of soft leather charm. This perfume is comfortable, powerful and bright at the same time. And true to the carefully curated collection of Puredistance, M V2Q is an extrait with excellent projection and longevity.
Top Notes: Orange blossom, Pink peppercorn, Lavender essence
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Cypriol, Pine tar, Jasmine Sambac
Base Notes: Patchouli, Vanilla, Labdanum, Tonka, Cedarwood
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Daniel Craig as 007.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE M V2Q: confident, smooth, intriguing
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT M V2Q: The Plum Girl, Parfumistans blogg, CaFleureBon
BOTTOM LINE: Puredistance has discontinued their masculine masterpiece M and replaced it in their collection with M V2Q due to the unavailability of some of the ingredients based on new IFRA regulations. Instead of trying to re-create the magic of M, they decided to work with perfumer Antoine Lie to bring new life to the perfume by modernizing it but within the same vein as the original. M was inspired by the iconic James Bond 007…M V2Q is inspired by the latest Bond, Daniel Craig. And it completely works. For you lovers of the original M, there will be no worries moving to M V2Q.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Leather
- Nose: Antoine Lie
- Classification: Leans masculine
- Expense: Starting at 175 Euros for 17ml parfum extrait (28% perfume oil).
WHAT I SMELL: Gatsby 22 opens with a sweetened bergamot that has been basking in the sun. In quick manner, a juicy citrus rushes in bringing with it joy, happiness and so much positive energy. And soon after, the citrus moves to the floral with a very tame osmanthus sitting below the prettiest of violet. Together they move the perfume from the joyous to the sublime. At this point the perfume is so pretty and full of life that it makes you want to dance the day away. As the perfume begins to settle, Gatsby 22 begins to warm and become more radiant. The osmanthus remains, but a lightly sharpened vetiver joins the mix which helps to keep the energy level of the perfume intact. And after some more time the perfume the really expands and seems to take on a bath note, or as I call it a “bathtastic” note where the combination of notes reminds me of the remains of a bubble bath. In the end, Gatsby 22 keeps on giving as the perfume doesn’t shy away from the party as this beauty seems to last well into the night with the lively use of jubilant musk.
WHAT I SMELL: 724 opens with a clean, fresh, floral infused bergamot tinged with sunny aldehydes. It’s soft, slightly fuzzy and very airy. It’s been quite some time where I have smelled a perfume that feels like it wasn’t introduced to the skin, but instead seems to float two to three inches off of the skin in a luminescent manner. As the perfume develops the bergamot begins to fade and the florals seem to dance lightly in a ballet of tender and quiet beauty. Even though 724 has a quiet demeanor, it does have a great deal of light and energy. After some additional time, a metallic note comes forward and creates a base for the light and sunny florals. And after some more time, the perfume begins to grow as the jasmine takes it’s place at the center of the perfume along with what smells to me like lily of the valley although I don’t see it mentioned as a note. It’s here that the perfume turns more to the humidity of the bath and with the addition of a sandalwood the whole creation begins to warm. In the end, 724 lies lightly sweetened on the skin with beautiful countenance.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: I realize the inspiration for this perfume is the city, but to me, with it’s light and and happy aura, it’s pure “dancing fairies.”
The Scented Hound 