New Release | The Scented Hound

June 12, 2014
by The Scented Hound 11 Comments

New Release: Aqua Sextius by Jul et Mad

WHAT I SMELL: Aqua Sextius opens with a warm and rich bergamot and citrus which feels like it’s sprinkled with brown sugar. It’s rather deep in its initial form which was a surprise to me as I was expecting something light and airy instead of this comfortable hug. After a few minutes, a slight saltiness comes forward which at first seems a bit discordant with the other notes, but you quickly get used to it as it’s refreshingly different. After a few more minutes, a minty herbal accord layers on top of the salt. At this point, Aqua Sextius is a bit balmy, like a luxurious rendition of Ben Gay. After around the 15 minute mark, the fragrance begins to radiate this wonderfully warm labdanum and amber highlighted with a kick of semi-sweet Guaiac wood. After some more time, the fig becomes noticeable and it stays in this realm until after an hour when Aqua Sextius moves into an even-tempered, light woody and salty dry down.

From the Jul et Mad website:

A sensation of absolute well-being, celebrating the joy of life. This extraordinarily fresh perfume astonishes by its superb composition and by its longevity. Named after the original Latin name of Aix-en-Provence, known as “the city of 100 fountains”, this exclusive fragrance perfectly describes this most beautiful summer retreat, where the time flows in the rhythm of its legendary thermal sources…

Head : Bergamot, Lime, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Green Notes
Heart : Mint/Eucalyptus, Marines Notes, Mimosa, White Flowers, Fig
Bottom : Labdanum, Ambergris, Cedarwood, Guaiac Wood, Oakmoss, Musk

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The earthen beauty surrounding the warm mineral springs.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE AQUA SEXTIUS: comforting, salty, embracing

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AQUA SEXTIUS: Colognoisseur, CaFleureBon, Chemist in a Bottle

The village fountain, Vaugines, France

BOTTOM LINE: Around 7 years ago, we travelled around France and rented a villa with friends for a week in the small village of Vaugines. We had such a wonderful time exploring the countryside, including Aix-en-Provence which was only around an hour away from Vaugines. Aqua Sextius perfectly captures the essence of that region of France and its magic and beauty.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Green Chypre – Citrus Amber
Nose: Cecile Zarokian
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $280 for 50ml or $110 for 20ml parfum extrait

Sample courtesy of Indigo Perfumery

June 9, 2014
by The Scented Hound 11 Comments

New Release: Ann Gerard Rose Cut

WHAT I SMELL: Rose Cut opens rather sweet and lightly boozy. It’s warm and juicy and when sniffed it feels like liquid running down your throat. After a couple of minutes, the rose starts to bloom along with this wonderful peony note. The combination of the two notes together is pure magic. And when I say bloom it really blooms, like an explosion off of your skin. It’s juicy, more than dewy and rather green as the patchouli melds with the florals like a vine that grows, wraps and entwines. All the while the vanilla and benzoin base lurks below giving Rose Cut some incredible depth and warmth. After around 20 minutes, Rose Cut lightens and becomes softer and it sweetens but still maintains a great deal of projection. In the end, you’re left with a velvety, somewhat berry jamish, powdery and lightly spiced deep dream of a rose that is incredibly feminine and pretty.

From the Ann Gerard website:

Rose Cut notes: aldehydes, rum, pink pepper, roses, peony, patchouli, vanilla, oak wood absolute, benzoin absolute

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Rose Heaven

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE ROSE CUT: billowing, alluring, smooth

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ROSE CUT: CaFleureBon, The Silver Fox, The Smelly Vagabond

BOTTOM LINE: Rose cut is a cut above the normal rose fragrances out there. It dries down to this dreamy state in which I never want to return.

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Nose: Bertrand Duchaufour
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $165 for 60ml EdP

Sample courtesy of Indigo Perfumery.

May 5, 2014
by The Scented Hound 12 Comments

New Release: Tango by Masque

WHAT I SMELL: Tango opens with a spicy bergamot that dances with pepper followed soon with this wonderful cardamon which gives it a slight medicinal herbal hue. After a few more minutes, a rather boozy almost whiskey like note is introduced and the fragrance begins to get a bit tangy and sharper which helps to lighten the rather deep opening. It feels like its revving itself up like pistons in an engine getting ready for the fragrance to take off. There’s a little sweetness that lurks underneath the spicy elements of the fragrance that help it to be more playful than sedate. The amber provides for a consistent warmth for the base that makes Tango oh so comfortable, yet incredibly sexy like a form-fitting dress that reveals every curve. After around 30 minutes, Tango becomes pure sex. The heady florals matched with the warm base just oozes off your skin. It’s intoxicating and breathtaking.

Tango note from the Masque website:

Head notes: bergamot, black pepper, cardamom

Heart notes: Sambac jasmine abs, Damascena rose oil, patchouli

Base notes: vanilla bean, tonka bean, melilot abs, amber accord, leather accord, benzoin, muscs

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: As the seductive dance between two lovers; Tango is named perfectly!

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE TANGO: lively, nocturnal, peppery

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TANGO: Colognossieur, CaFleureBon, The Non-Blonde

BOTTOM LINE: Wow! Tango took me by surprise and whipped me up into a carnal frenzy. Tango isn’t a fragrance that’s meant for the office, but is perfect for when you’re prowling the streets at night. Trust me, you’ll be noticed.

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Oriental Floral
Nose: Cecile Zarokian
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $240 for 100ml EdP

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary