Frapin | The Scented Hound

WHAT I SMELL: Paradis Perdu opens with citrus and bergamot that’s not bright, but instead is sour and slightly biting. The galbanum quickly then becomes evident; its mossy green and very direct and the fragrance remains sharp and biting. After a bit, the green becomes more hay like and Paradis Perdue becomes a bit dryer and more woody; it’s sheer and light and completely meh. This is basically where the development of the fragrance ends.

From the Frapin website:

Created with the vitality of Art nouveau, Paradis Perdu is an ode to the vineyards around the property. The perfumer, Amélie Bourgeois, drew her inspiration from the expanses of land, conjuring effervescence with curved lines, somewhere between gushing and encircling.

Paradis Perdu Notes (from Fragrantica):

Top notes are Bergamot, Grapefruit, Citron, Yellow Mandarin, Leaf Blend (Basil, Spinach, Vine, Ravensara), Galbanum, Elemi, Paradisamide, Vetiver, Hay, Virginia Cedarwood, Rosewood, Labdanum, Precious Woods, Mosses, Musks

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A yawn.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PARADIS PERDU: boring, sour, dull

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PARADIS PERDU: I couldn’t find any other reviews for this 2013 launch.

BOTTOM LINE: Being underwhelmed may be an understatement.

Bone Rating: 2 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Woody Aromatic
Nose: Amélie Bourgeois
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $145 for 100ml EdP

I always lament the change from summer to fall. I could live in shorts all year round and the prospect of cold winter nights for months is not something I look forward to. But soon enough, I wake up on a day like today (crisp, sunny, cool, refreshing) and I quickly remember the joy in the change in seasons. The other things great about the change of seasons is the breakout of all those fragrances that are best suited for the fall. 1697 is one of them.

WHAT I SMELL: 1697 opens up with a carmelized booziness. It’s sweet, slightly leathery and “yummy” in the way that you almost want to taste it. As it dies down, out comes a thickened chocolate/cocoa goodness. It’s very gourmand, but not too sweet and is somewhat buttery. The drydown stays away from being too sweet and you’re left with a very nice vanilla/patchouli blanket.

1697 Notes: cabreuva, davana, Jamaican rum, cistus, pink pepper, jasmine sambac, hawthorn, ylang ylang, clove, cinnamon, dried fruit, rose, ambergris, tonka bean, myrrh, patchouli, cedar, white musks, vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: I find that 1697 is very similar to Ineke’s Field Notes from Paris, although 1697 has a boozier finish. It’s like an innocent cup of hot cocoa with a secret shot of whiskey!

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE 1697: boozy, tasty, buttery

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT 1697: Grain de Musc, Now Smell This, Bois de Jasmin

BOTTOM LINE: 1697 is pleasant, but is a fragrance that I would not wear on a regular basis. It lasts a long time and has decent sillage – it’s good, not great.

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Oriental Spicy
Classification: Unisex – leans a bit masculine
Nose: Bertrand Duchaufour
Expense: $155 for 100ml EdP