The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.

Tag Archives: spicy


by Leave a comment

LP No:9 for Men by Penhaligon’s

I love the LP No:9 (Love Potion Number 9) name.  I like the fragrance.  Clean, fresh and spicy is how I would characterize LP No:9.  This is the first Penhaligon’s scent that I have tested, and I’m assuming that my thoughts about LP No:9 is how I’ll feel about this line.  LP No:9 is complex in its composition, but somehow that complexity doesn’t translate to having a great deal of depth.  It’s nice and somewhat old school, but in the end just not that exciting to me.  Bottom line:  fresh floral and spice, sophisticated and easy to wear.

From the Penhaligon’s website:

HEAD NOTES
Mandarin, Bergamot and Rosewood

HEART NOTES
Jasmine, Orris, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Clove, Cinnamon, Pepper and Nutmeg

BASE NOTES
Vanilla, Patchouli, Musk and Amber

Created in 1999, LP No. 9 for Men casts a spell of powdered darkness with its complex heart of ylang-ylang and spices. The fresh top notes of mandarin, bergamot and rosewood soon give way to the unusual floral and spiced heart. The seductive base notes are led by sweet vanilla and earthy patchouli with whisps of musk and amber creating sensual layers of warmth and mystery.

  • Bone Rating:   3 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent Type:  Oriental – Spicy
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense: $120 for 100ml EDT


by 10 Comments

Ambra Nobile by Nobile 1942

Sometimes I like to gamble.  Not gamble in the Las Vegas sense, but I sometimes will make a purchase sight unseen.  I took a gamble with Ambra Nobile because at present Luckyscent has the marked down by 35%.  So knowing my love of ambers I took a chance.  I couldn’t be any happier.  Ambra Nobile is a sophisticated, warm and lovely fragrance.    When I applied this for the first time, I was a bit worried.  It went on a bit sharp and had almost a putty smell that came to the surface?  Where was the amber that I so wanted?  After a bit, the sharp citrus smell retreated and the mix of the other ingredients came together along with a light spice.  Finally, the vetiver and sandalwood came through and mixed with the amber.  The combination in the end makes for a modern twist to a very old-time scent.  Ambra Nobile is considered a unisex fragrance and would satisfy both sexes easily.  But for me and probably for most men, this scent will derive memories of barbershops of past.  Ambra Nobile would be fine for day and evening wear.  It’s warmth, like many ambers, is enveloping and a spritz on my hand is perfect for satisfying my sniffing needs throughout the day.  I am a happy hound with my latest purchase!

From the Nobile 1942 website:

Ambra Nobile evokes “nights for happy lovers are bright and brief” inebriated by the perfume of amber aphrodisiac, combined with the warm, citrusy, notes of labdanum resin, the notes of liquorice Helichrysum, Whose leaves shine like gold in the sun (“golden leaf “), the” manly “tobacco hints of the Tonka bean, and a slight, delicate sandalwood finish as the calm after the storm olfactory.

Ambra Nobile Notes:

Neroli, Bergamot, Ambergris, Labdanum, Patchouly, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Vetiver

  • Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: $135 for 100ml EDP


by 4 Comments

Aziyade by Parfum d’Empire

Yesterday I  received my full collection of samples from Parfum d’ Empire. This was a wonderful buy in order to check out the entire collection.  Very nice packaging and even a hand written note thanking me for my purchase.  Good customer service as far as I’m concerned.  So to start my venture in sampling, I reached into the bag and chose to wear the first offering I grabbed.  So here it goes.  Coca-Cola, body odor and prunes were the first things that came to mind when I sprayed Aziyade on for the first time.  You wouldn’t think that by my description this would be a scent that I would favor, but in fact is wasn’t so bad.  I think the thought of body odor (or maybe a better description would be a musky smell) was the coming from the cardamon and cumin.  The cumin especially steps out after a bit and I rather liked it.  I would describe this as spicy with a hint of sweetness as it’s not a strong overpowering spice.  It is definitely a one of a kind scent.  My one disappointment is that it quickly vanished and I had to reapply just a few hours later.  Not that I’m complaining, because upon reapplication I quickly traveled through all the layers once again!  I think this could really grow on me and become a full bottle purchase.  We’ll see.

Aziyade Notes:  pomegranate, crystallized date, almond, orange and prune, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, Egyptian cumin, carob, frankincense, vanilla, Madagascar vanilla absolute, patchouli, musk, cistus

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: From $75 for 50ml, EDP