Злато Скифов (Or des Scythes)

This is kind of perfume which might evoke the wildest memories of your soul . Kind of membership you didn't know you have... AND the feeling of belonging...Well... Belonging to what? To the distant and strange place Russians call "the Steppe"... This is a wast wilderness suffused with heady fragrance of honeyed wild grass and herbs mixed with aroma of sensually perfect and healthy bodies of the young male warriors Scythians who are getting ready for next battle with nomadic tribe from the East in the early morning...The women are wearing the most stunning, heavy gold protective jewellery to preserve the continuity of the nation, not to mention they are warriors themselves... The shaman is boiling wild herbs potion in the golden cauldron to soothe and heal the wounds of Scythian warriors tomorrow. It's aromatic, it's dusty and balmy... This is kind of barbaric and wild perfume comparing to refined and genteel French ones... But it's magical. There is nothing like it. It's so distinctively Russian/Eastern Slavic aroma of the...place?... land?... time?...dream?... past life...? It's a hell of feminine seductive perfume if you can relate to this kind of exuberant, fertile and wild vibe of being... It has reduced me to tears... It's a masterpiece of Soviet perfumery along with La Belle De Russie (but this is another story) I would not like to be without ever.

This was a gift from a wonderful Fragrantican who has introduced me to a little known Russian treasure! Or des Scythes doesn't have harsh aldehydes in the opening, rather they are quiet and subdued, just as I like them. I can't describe this perfume in detail as it's the most unusual olfactory experience I have had in a long time, so I will try and describe my experience of this little gem. From the first spritz I felt warm and comforted. There is something timeless and nostalgic about this perfume. I smell huge amounts of spicy honey, it sounds crazy, but that's what I can smell and this to my nose, is a true chypre perfume. There is a lot of wood and although this is a sweet smell, it's not cloying or sickly, it has more of a spicy sweetness to it. I feel a sense of autumn in this scent, I can smell fires burning in the distance and I get a smokiness to the composition which just makes this irresistible. Classic, timeless, elegant, unforgettable perfume with outstanding longevity and enough silage to make people stop and ask me what perfume are you wearing, it smells lovely?

tried this one on yesterday, in a local Russian cosmetics outlet and can still smell it on my wrist. that ́s staying power - some 17 hours and a shower, but the scent is still there. experiences on my skin: the opening notes were a bit overwhelming and for the first couple of hours it felt like being wrapped in a cloud of the scent - notes of chypre, some undefined sweetness and a rather strong powdery touch. later on it evened out in ambery tones with a tint of white flowers and smoke. now it is an almost round amber with a distant bitter vanilla, vague fruitiness and a hint of wood and citrus. reminds me of Organza by Givenchy, but not so sweet and with a bit of a crunchy edge. i only had a little spritz on my wrist and rubbed the wrists together, so a little goes a long way for me. generally I definitely do not see any knock-off quality, it doesn't even remind me of Chanel #19 that much. for me this is absolutely a perfume in its own right.

Wow! What a wonderful little powerhouse this is! Just received a 16ml bottle through a Russian supplier, and I'm already considering a back up bottle. The first spray is a little harsh (and overly floral) to my nose, however after about 15 minutes it settles into an exquisite chypre-like fragrance. It isn't a green scent per se, but the wood and spice seem to allude to it. They also tone down the potential sweetness of the ylang-ylang which is the dominant floral in this scent. I own both Chanel #19 and Coco, and the only similarity is in style. This is a classy, timeless fragrance that smells expensive but in this case isn't (bonus!). One spray on the back of my hand was sufficient for me to get lovely wafts of it for several hours, so I would say a little goes a long way. I could still smell it, albeit faintly after 8 hours, so the lasting power is good too. A definite new love for me :-)

23. march 2013 oh, wow!!! I have this one in a vintage pure parfum version. People, i tell you, this one is soooo amazing. The sillage, the lasting power, the smell itself and above all praises!!! To me this one a magical combination of my very much beloved "Gucci di Arte" and Paco Rabanne ́s "La nuit". I don ́t know about the current version, maybe it has been changed, but the one i have i can swear it is "La nuit" so animalistic and wild with amazing rosey-honey note of "Gucci Arte". Like i said it lasts for days. Literally. i have to compare it with the modern version. Hope i won ́t be dissapointed. P.S. I have checked the russian Fragrantica and even though not many like the scents of "Novaya Zarya" this one has an impressive fan base and that is something. I have now 2 bottles of the very firat release (different from the one pictured above) and am extremly happy.

Oh how I wish this lasted longer! It's so beautiful, but fades away too soon and leaves me wanting to sniff it again and again. At first it scared me. On the initial spritz there was an urinous, acetone smell. But it went away in a few minutes. Then, apple incense. Yellow flowers. Soap and powder. A delicate vanilla. Faint sweetness. Mysterious and clean. So unique. I can't think of a scent that smells similar to this, as the apple note makes it so distintictive. I love how there's something of Russia in it, since apples are so popular in its cuisine. And it's such an original take on apple, so different from the sugary apple lollipops DKNY and Nina Ricci sell. Beautifully, beautifully blended. Smells much more expensive.

Очень теплый, уютный, женственный аромат. Будто в деревянном доме испекли пряный пирог и заварили чагу с медом

My favourite from Novaya Zarya. Bright, unique, with great sillage - that's what I remember. I wore it in my teens when I wanted to be impressive and lady-like. Abstract sophistication plus opulent glamour in a bottle. Actually, many people say it smells like Coco by Chanel, some mention #19. I can't agree anyway: 'Coco' and '#19" do not appeal to me at all, though Or de Scythes has been noticeable part of my life. That's why I think, in this case the comparison is not direct (like in obvious cases with Novaya Zarya: Kuznetskiy Most = Climat), and people tend to express general sophistication with a sophistication departure point - # 19 - 'Or' has similar feeling of abstract detachment to it; as well as to reveal a baroque-enhanced feeling via comparison with 'Coco'. Anyway, The Gold of the Scythians is really one of a kind for me as well as one of very few 'old' perfumes with 'Wow' factor.

Or des Scythes is a rich, resinous aldehydic floral oriental. It does bear some resemblance to Coco but with sharper edges. Its blend of honeyed amber, spices, and woods definitely has a vintage vibe. I find it warm and comforting and like wearing it to bed when I’ve been having trouble sleeping (that’s how comforting it is!). It’s a hidden gem for lovers of classic perfumery and I’m glad to have it in my collection.

The only parfum with gorgeous apple accord which doesn't bother you. Honey apples with spices! It reminds me the holiday of apple feast of the Saviour in the ortodoks culture.

Magic a piece of luxury parfumes not for everyone

The mesh of all the notes leaves the skin smelling very sweet, which reminds me of honey, although no honey note is present.

Maybe I just like very intensive fragrances. But in this fragrance I rather feel something light like an apple than what it's famous for. Too quiet. Not impressed by the nowadays version.

Or des Scythes Novaya Zarya or “Gold of the Scythes” by another words Favourite perfume of Russian house Novaya Zarya for many people from former USSR. Original formula was created in 50-s in Soviet era. The golden jewellery, Gold Scythian pectoral, that you could see on the original box of this fragrance (not on this page unfortunately) is the one that Queen of Scythes was wearing herself on her neck. The name of this fragrance was influenced by the tribe of scythes, (ancient iranian tribes who came on slavic lands in VI centure BC and created new Scytho-Siberian"culture) who buried their people together with all their gold, so probably till these days gold-diggers are looking for such places in hope to find hidden treasures of those legendary people, who's history surrounded by the thousands of myths Modern formula is modern formula, producers go for cheaper substitutes BUT, again, lots of people who used to wear and love this perfume in 70-80-s, comment, that its still very much Or des Scythes...And as before you need just one spray, no more, to last for hours So yes, after almost 20 years - I Am happy to wear it again All is wild, intriguing and elegant at the same time in Or des Scythes, - wild honey, warmed by the sun heathy grass and bergamot, spicy carnation, in the heart – amber and patchouli turning into apple blossom, very aphoridisiac-y, dry down -from moss and vanilla with sandal... Its Nature's evening time, time before the sunset. Season – August-September, rich, mysterious, calm, strong, sensual. You will be taken on those fields of scythes and, hopefully, your imagination will reveal you something you never knew before.

While I can appreciate this fragrance, I don't think it's working well with my chemistry. To start, I get a lot of apple, aldehydes, and green notes, which for a moment smells nice, but quickly the apple begins to smell as if it's turning brown, and the fragrance sours. The aldehydes wear off very quickly, and the oakmoss presents itself early, alongside a dominant carnation note. The overall effect is of a sour leather scent on my skin. I have to say I don't detect any peach or jasmine on me. Other than my skin's incompatibility with the carnation and oakmoss notes, I feel this is a very unique floral aldehyde and worth checking out if you have the opportunity!!

This is my most glamorous and beautiful Russian parfum. My mother wore it and she gave it to me when I turn 20. I bought 3 bottles in my life and still have one. You buy it on eBay. So sweet sexy and elegant. Smell of fruity floral with peach apple and citrus. The apple is the scent in the beginning very juicy apple and smell good with carnation and ylang flowers. There is also patchouli and moss sandalwood vanilla. Smell spicy fresh green and clean soft and feminine. Classy and womanly. I love to wear it for fancy parties. Thank you mama. I love you.

Is it just me or the bottle looks like Guerlain Shalimar ripoff? Bottle design aside, this fragrance will always remind me of my late mum. She used to wear it back in the 80s and early 90s and the smell stuck in my head (and nose) ever since. It's a strong, warm, feminine fragrance, with extremely strong sillage and the one that lasts forever. Not to everyone's taste, but definitely a classic, akin to Chanel N5, Magie Noire and White Linen.

A lovely knock off of Chanel #19, The Gold of the Scythes is a beautiful aldehydic fragrance and in my opinion a close relative of the Chypre family. It has chic and class, and I will always love it for it`s bitter sweetness and an amazing woody base. The use of ylang ylang can be compared to a work of a goldsmith - not too much, but just enough to make you all warm inside.

Chanel Coco meets Krizia Teatro Alla Scalia. At first I just thought this Russian house just made great fragrances for inexpensive prices but I do believe they actally do make dupes in recent years. After seeing ‘Opus’ in a clearly ‘Opium’ style box and bottle lol. Either way, their fragrances seem great quality for the 15-20$ dollars you end up paying. Why not!

Or des Scythes - It's fabulously over-the-top dramatic, with almost a Rites of Spring sensibility to it, evocative of greatness, only falling a little short in its slight lack of longevity. Rich, golden Tolstovian pre-Revolutionary St Petersburg, like heavy damasks and low lit rooms, with a masterful Petipa choreography. I did say it's ott...