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