The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Ormonde Jayne Gatsby 22

WHAT I SMELL:   Gatsby 22 opens with a sweetened bergamot that has been basking in the sun.  In quick manner, a juicy citrus rushes in bringing with it joy, happiness and so much positive energy.  And soon after, the citrus moves to the floral with a very tame osmanthus sitting below the prettiest of violet.  Together they move the perfume from the joyous to the sublime.  At this point the perfume is so pretty and full of life that it makes you want to dance the day away.  As the perfume begins to settle, Gatsby 22 begins to warm and become more radiant.  The osmanthus remains, but a lightly sharpened vetiver joins the mix which helps to keep the energy level of the perfume intact.  And after some more time the perfume the really expands and seems to take on a bath note, or as I call it a “bathtastic” note where the combination of notes reminds me of the remains of a bubble bath.  In the end, Gatsby 22 keeps on giving as the perfume doesn’t shy away from the party as this beauty seems to last well into the night with the lively use of jubilant musk.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

What fun I had creating a perfume to personify a stylish and sophisticated era – nostalgic for a time of jazz, pearls, well-tailored dinner jackets, cigars and Rolls Royce cars.

Gatsby 22 is confident, edgy and sophisticated. A boisterous burst of Sicilian lemon and bergamot penetrates the senses. Osmanthus, orange blossom and violets follow instantly to smooth off the sharpness. Notes of vetiver linger on, giving Gatsby 22 true staying power. Wear it anytime, anywhere to make a stylish entrance.

HEAD: BERGAMOT, SICILIAN LEMON, PINK PEPPER

HEART:  OSMANTHUS, VIOLET, ORANGE BLOSSOM

SOUL: VETIVER, LEATHER ACCORD, TONKA BEAN, MUSK

Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan – The Great Gatsby (1974)

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  I won’t mess with the Gatsby inspiration as it fits the perfume perfectly.  But in looking towards my inspirational picture, I chose the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby with Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan as the perfume has a bit of softness in it that the latest version of the movie didn’t possess.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GATSBY 22:  joyful, exuberant, radiant

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GATSBY 22:  Taking One Thing Off

BOTTOM LINE:   Gatsby 22 is a perfume that keeps on giving.  All throughout the perfume’s progression the light and energy continue to be boundless.  And it’s an easy wear.  What’s not to love?

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Citrus Floral Woody
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: $150 for 50 ml eau de parfum.

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.


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Ormonde Jayne Zizan

WHAT I SMELL:   The first spritz of Zizan is a blast of citrus that is quickly tempered with a light mix of pepper and herbs.  It’s very clear from the beginning that Zizan is classic male fragrance…there’s nothing avant-garde here.  As it continues to develop, a sweetened floral mix entwines with the herbs as it warms the skin.  Soon enough, a green vetiver comes forward with a lemony edge.  Actually, it smells a bit like Lemon Pledge at this point.   But at soon as I say that, it starts to have a boxing match with a more woody amber.  There is a lot of movement with Zizan which is fine with me as I can’t wait to see where it settles down.  As the perfume continues to morph, the warmth intensifies and there’s an increase in its projection off of the skin.  At this point, the vetiver has a rather sharp edge, but lingering below may be some other notes to rein it in.  After ten more minutes, the vetiver bows to the light amber.  Still peppery and woody, Zizan begins to quiet down with just the right amount of fight.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

Zizan, a perfume like no other because it has everything a man could possibly want in a single spectacular scent. This is a powerhouse perfume. Expect a deluge of boisterous Sicilian lime, lemon and bergamot but to smooth the biting edge, a brilliantly refined concentration of vetiver.

HEAD:  Sicilian Lime, Lemon, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Pink Pepper and Juniper Berry

HEART:  Bay, Violet and Jasmine

SOUL:  Vetiver, Cedar, Musk and Amber

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Classic in its approach, Zizan’s confidence spreads to the wearer.  Think Herb Alpert’s 1960’s classic album, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights.”  Full of energy and oh so sexy.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ZIZAN:  confident, secure, classic

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ZIZAN:  Manface, Perfume Shrine, EauMG

BOTTOM LINE:   Sometimes I find myself wanting to wear a classic men’s fragrance rather than something unisex.  Zizan fits the bill as it exudes a hefty dose of masculinity without being too overt or offensive.

  • Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Citrus Aromatic
  • Nose:  Geza Schoen
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Expense: $150 for 50 ml eau de parfum.  Also available in 30 ml or 100 ml.

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.


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Ormonde Jayne Tiare

WHAT I SMELL:   What a lovely way to start off the new year.  Tiare’s opening is wonderfully fresh with a luminescent orange met with a gorgeous and slightly sour orange blossom.  The perfume is citrus at first, but soon the rush of flowers come sweeping forward.  These flowers shine bright and sing in the softest way with ladylike joy wrapped in serenity.  The perfume is based on the tiare flower, but to me, the tiare does not stand out amongst the other floral in the composition.  Instead, the ylang-ylang is slightly more pronounced, but that’s ok because overall the perfume is divine.  A very light soapy note brushes the flowers, but not in a way to make the perfume soapy.  After quite some time, a mossy cedar note enters, giving a light dimension like that of pencil shavings and it’s the perfect base for the innocence of the flowers.  As the perfume settles, it retains this ethereal beauty that seems to dance upon the skin.  Tiare is not harsh, loud, nor groundbreakingly different.  What it is however, is beyond beautiful…a classic stunner.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

Like precious jewels resting on dark green foliage, the unsurpassed beauty of the Tiare flower is hand-picked whilst still unopened and laid in oil for 15 days to extract the fragrance. Like the woman who wears Tiare, this is a perfume that totally ignores seasons and the time of day, a perfume so artfully blended and infinitely refined… but with a dash of scintillating appeal.

Top: Mandarin, Orange Flower and Sicilian Lime
Heart: Tiare, Freesia, Water Lilies, Jasmine, Orris and Ylang
Base: Cedar, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Moss and Musk

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Feminine white.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE TIARE:  lyrical, serene, bewitching

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TIARE:  Bois de Jasmin, Perfume Shrine, Fragrance Bouquet

BOTTOM LINE:  I’m a bit behind on my introduction to the Ormonde Jayne line of perfumes, but late is never too late to experience wonderful.  In fact, there are a few in the line that sing to me just as much as Tiare, which may just end up as part of my private collection.  I love beautiful, classic perfumes that elevate your mood to a special place; Tiare does just that and I’m in love.

  • Bone Rating:  4.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Floral
  • Nose:  Geza Schoen
  • Classification: Lean’s feminine but a man could wear it.
  • Expense:  $150 for 50 ml eau de parfum

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.