masculine | The Scented Hound

March 24, 2012
by The Scented Hound 5 Comments

Itasca by Lubin

I was really excited to sample Lubin’s Itasca, the scent that was designed to represent the North American Forest. Itasca is named after Lake Itasca in Minnesota, my home state. My father was actually born not far from Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River gives birth. So as a native son, I was trying to see if this scent represented what I think of Minnesota. Unlike my last review of 1828 by Histoires de Parfums where I loved the opening of the scent, but did not like the dry down; this is pretty much the opposite. The dry down is lovely and the opening is nice, but considering the fact that with most scents you live with the dry down for the most part, I couldn’t have been happier. Itasca opens with a fresh blast of grapefruit and pine. It’s fresh, green and clean. It’s also very soothing and smooth. Pine can sometimes get sharp, this does not. In the end, Itasca evens out into what I would say is a floral scent, with just a hint of powder. Itasca overall is a cool, clean and refreshing scent. I think Lubin did a wonderful job of representing my home state.

From the Lubin website:

Top Notes: neroli, marigold, mandarin, juniper berry, grapefruit

Middle Notes: clove, tonka bean, clary sage, nutmeg, geranium flower

Base Notes: Itasca Red Pine, Java Vetiver, Texas Cedar, Partak Incense, Ethiopian Myrrh, amber, Canadian Fir Balsam

Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $110 for 75ml, EDT

March 18, 2012
by The Scented Hound 9 Comments

Terre d’Hermes by Hermes

Spring has definitely sprung this year. But today, the day started off a bit chillier than it has been for the last couple of weeks. This gave me opportunity to break out one of my favorites, Terre d’Hermes. I’m not much for “this is a winter” or “this is a summer” scent classifications, but in this case this fragrance best suits my fall and winter moods. On initial application, you get a rush or citrus and orange with a slight clove note (I don’t notice cloves as an ingredient, but to me it’s there). The orange then takes background to a beautiful and warm cedar scent. When you mention cedar, I typically think of hamster cages; but in this case, the hamster would be lounging on the most luxurious bedding imaginable. Terre d’Hermes is a unique scent that has great longevity and sillage. It’s a captivating scent without being intrusive. Although marketed to men, a female co-worker of mine was wearing this once and it worked perfectly for her as well. This is one of my favorites; so much so that I’m on my third bottle!

Terre d’Hermes Notes:

grapefruit, orange, shiso, flint accord, woody notes

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Classification: Masculine
Expense: Varied; available in EDT and EDP

March 18, 2012
by The Scented Hound 3 Comments

Pardon by Nasomatto

My oh my…this will be a short review. Yesterday I tested Pardon by Nasomatto and things went terribly wrong. I am trying to find the words to describe this and am having a hard time doing so. As a parfum extrait this went on incredibly strong. I’m not sure what I was smelling because something came to light very quickly and then became the dominant note…metallics. I have experienced this metallic smell before, but I couldn’t define when and where. After about an hour it hit me. When I was in my twenties, prior to my tonsils being pulled, I had many bouts with sinus infections. Whenever I knew that I was getting a sinus infection, I would experience this really unpleasant metallic smell. That’s what I experience with this scent (and no, I don’t currently have a sinus infection). What was making this reaction? The oud? The tonka bean? Whatever the case, I washed it off, and then washed it off again. Before going out last night I put on my favorite Pour le Soir, knowing that it be strong enough to mask this mistake. It didn’t. And the effect it had on me made me slightly nauseous. Incredibly bizarre. Please note that I only put a dab on my hand, and yet this morning I can still detect this on my skin. Funny thing is, my husband says he likes it, but he too detects the bite in the scent. He’ll be happy to know that I’m giving him the rest of the sample. I’m usually forgiving of a scent and am typically willing to give it another try. This is one of those times that I won’t be doing so.

Pardon Notes:

magnolia, oud, tonka bean, unsweetened chocolate, cinnamon, sandlewood