fragrance | The Scented Hound

October 14, 2013
by The Scented Hound 12 Comments

Yuzu Fou by Parfum d’Empire

WHAT I SMELL: Yuzu Fou goes on with a rush of citrus which is cool to the touch of the skin. What starts off as primarily orange, quickly turns almost Lemon Pledge lemony. Soon after Yuzu Fou brings in the funk, as there is a sweaty cumin like presence that makes its appearance. There is this odd sensation of fresh lemon and sweaty armpits. Not soon after, the funk starts to take a back seat to some minty freshness, but every once in a while, the funky sweat still pops up, just to make sure you know it’s still there. While this interplay is going on, the constant is the fresh orangey-mint which remains at the heart. In the end, Yuzu Fou is very similar to Parfum d’Empire’s Azemour les Orangers, and that’s not a bad thing.

Yuzu Fou notes from Fragrantica: Top notes are kumquat, bitter orange, yuzu and mint; middle notes are bamboo, lemon verbena and cedar; base notes are neroli and white musk.

It’s impossible to find a picture of a teenager next to a lemon tree. So instead I posted a picture of Lance Kerwin, star of the horrific 1970s show, “James at 15.” The show was a stinker if there ever was one.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Like a junior high aged boy running around a lemon orchard. It smells so wonderfully fresh outside, but you can’t help notice that when he starts getting sweaty, he really needs to be wearing deodorant. Of course, he’s completely clueless, but you know it’s time to have that talk.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YUZU FOU: fresh, semi-funky, dichotomous

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT YUZU FOU: Best Things in Beauty, The Alembicated Genie, The Black Narcissus

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t get me wrong, without the little bit of funk in Yuzu Fou, this would be a tad bit boring. But that extra something different makes this interesting, while not detracting from its wearability. Don’t worry though, others won’t notice it as I believe the funkiness probably doesn’t project all that much. I like that it will just be our little secret!

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Aromatic Green
Noses: Marc-Antoine Corticchiato
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $75 for 50ml EdP

October 5, 2013
by The Scented Hound 18 Comments

Bottega Veneta Pour Homme

WHAT I SMELL: Bottega Veneta Pour Homme goes on with a blast of bergamot that is slightly citrus sweet, but then quickly turns towards a peppered layer that’s somewhat woody. In a flash, the fir makes the entrance bringing in a pretty heft layer of forest. After about 10 minutes the leather starts to make a very subtle presence and mixed with the labdanum it gives the fragrance almost an ambered hue. What I appreciate about this fragrance is that the leather never overtakes the scent, but rather adds just a thin veneer to give it more of a leather finish.

From the Bottega Veneta website:

Bottega Veneta Pour Homme is a fresh, intriguing and understated fragrance, one where distinctive Bottega Veneta notes of precious Labdanum, Fir Balsam and Bergamot blend into a sensuous leathery signature with the power to enchant. Woven with rare and noble materials, the fragrance, a woody, aromatic leathery scent, takes us on an inspiring journey in time and place.

Notes include: The notes include bergamot, pine, juniper berry, Jamaican pimento, fir balsam, sage, patchouli, and leather.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Classic ease bumped up with a dash of peppered sexy.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BOTTEGA VENETA POUR HOMME: warm, peppery, easy

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOTTEGA VENETA POUR HOMME: D’Marge, Out.com

BOTTOM LINE: For a mainstream fragrance, Bottega Veneta Pour Homme hits the mark. It’s very much a classic men’s scent that is neither loud, obnoxious or offensive. And there’s just enough of an edge on the classic to make this interesting for both younger and older gentlemen alike.

Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Aromatic Leather
Noses: Daniela Andrier and Antoine Maisondieu
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $80 for 50ml EdT

October 2, 2013
by The Scented Hound 23 Comments

Puredistance Black

WHAT I SMELL: Black opens with a sweet and deep incense and smoky accord. I want to say there’s some bergamot and what seems to be a bit of floraled honey mixed with the smokiness. That initial smokiness breaks away somewhat to reveal this almost butter like creamy light almond. But as soon as I notice that, the incense starts to waft up from the bottom again, this time with what seems to be a bit of sueded leather. There’s a bit of sour that makes an appearance that doesn’t detract, but like the smoke and incense, seems to pop in and out. After around 15 minutes it seems like there is a bit of peppered metallic that makes an appearance. Again, it comes and goes like all of the other notes which seem to intermix seamlessly without one note dominating. In the end you’re left with a very light, close to the skin, smooth and elegant slightly woody incensed perfume.

From the Puredistance Black release materials:

A MYSTERIOUS AND CHARMING FRAGRANCE THAT STAYS CLOSE TO THE WEARER AND WHISPERS STYLE & ELEGANCE

Puredistance Black is an understated elegant and mysteriously charming perfume inspired by the concept of BLACK; a concept that for centuries has been associated with secrets, mystery and style.

Puredistance BLACK is created in Paris by the famous French Perfumer Antoine Lie based on a concept of Puredistance founder Jan Ewoud Vos. The essence of the concept was to create a perfume that is close to the wearer and releases sensual and elegant scent layers in a whispering way – without shouting. A mysterious fragrance that stays in the shadow, giving away – only every now and then – part of its delicate nature.

Antoine loved the concept and created a sophisticated perfume full of charm with the same elegant personality as the timeless classic Puredistance I, but then more masculine and oriental.

And as a consequence of the concept of BLACK (that treasures the beauty of the unknown) we will not reveal the ingredients of Puredistance BLACK…. Envision, Smell, Feel. Don’t analyse.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A man of many secrets. What I mean is that there is a mysteriousness that surrounds Black. It’s very subtle and holds very close to the skin. It leans masculine and it doesn’t reveal itself until you are close at hand…you might catch a whiff of the fragrance from a slight distance, but you wonder where this deep and dark fragrance originates from. Then you realize, It originates from the man of many secrets.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BLACK: quality, enigmatic, smooth

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BLACK: BL’eauOG, Perfume Shrine

BOTTOM LINE: Once again Puredistance has created a fragrance that is of the utmost quality and elegance. The one thing about Black that I was not expecting though is how subtle it is and how much it wears close to the skin especially for a parfum concentration. But I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because Puredistance is not the house that creates perfumes that shout…”look at me,” and that’s a good thing!

Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
Nose: Antoine Lie
Classification: Leans masculine
Expense: Black is a pure perfume (25% perfume oil) and will be available in November 2013. The EU retail price will be 165 euro for 17.5 ml, 275 euro for 60 ml. and 490 euro for the 100 ml. flacon.

Disclosure: Product for review provided courtesy of Puredistance.