Cedrè Iris

Cedre Iris and Santal Basmati are probably my favorites from this line with Vanille Benjoin as a close runner up. This brand has been quite tough to write upon and I will explain why soon. I am going to get the formalities out of the way and get straight to the point. These smell like the base notes of your favorite private-line designer. Putting aside that there are truly expensive ingredients at use in these compositions they do however smell two dimensional and slightly uninspired. Some risk was abandoned with the formulas so they smell pleasant and thankfully like their notes promise but somehow they are missing an edge or a "realness" with the ingredients that convinces the wearer they are wearing a +$300 fragrance. To me they are not worth their high price as I've smelled these ingredients done with more convincing realness in lower price brackets. However, the Affinessence concept for their perfumes as fragrances made by only base notes is a pleasant and refreshingly artistic venture. I absolutely love the idea of this brand, limiting the perfumers palette of ingredients and having them create a composition using their methods of resourcefulness. Antoine Lie partakes in this form of composing as well but adds an extra layer to it by also limiting his palette to ingredients generally disliked or hated by people surveyed in focus groups. It is tough to write about Affinessence because their perfumes are indeed nice, easy to wear and I do see myself acquiring them because they are good enough at what they do to be an enjoyable wear. "Isn't that all we can ask for in a fragrance?" I say "Ultimately, sure!". Unfortunately as it stands the perfumers took the safe route when creating these compositions and made perfumes that felt more derivative than what I had hoped. All this snobby nitpicking aside they do smell quite good!! Cedre Iris as the name suggests is a marriage of a medley of cedars, Texan, Moroccan Atlas, and Virginian with Iris Pallida of the Florentine/Tuscan variety. Completely noble ingredients are used in Cedre Iris and I applaud the effort of providing consumer with the chance to own a composition of these sought after ingredients but personally I feel that price of the Affinessence line rides on the packaging and the promoted exclusivity of the ingredients. I especially feel this way about the indie brands and artisinal oud scene that survive on scarcity tactics releasing in exclusively small batches with recklessly exorbitant pricing and stay afloat on the hype of their FOMO stricken fan-bases. Cedre Iris opens very smoothly with a slightly sour sawdusty woody atmosphere, splinters smoothed out and coated by a thick drapery of creamy orris root that is carrot-y, rooty, lightly sweet, fatty and above all powdery. Despite the name I feel that Iris is the dominant member of this olfactory partnership as it consumes the piney and sour moth-ball facets of the Moroccan Atlas Cedar and the pencil shavings earthiness of the Virginia and Texas Cedars, and mutes the composition to a creamy hum that exaggerates only the earthy, vegetal, and powdery facets of Iris. Upon drying down we can notice the scaffolding of the woody cedars slightly changing the color and adding redness to this iris evolving from a vivid lilac purple to a more pinkish woody iris scent. Where the composition loses some of its points is in the far dry-down where I notice the slightest exposure of some special effects machinery and boom mics. I notice a very delicate sharp screech of something clashing in the base. This must be the high-pitched incense in the background providing some sort of unneeded metallic-like inkiness. Very "white-noise" screech so it is hardly ever enough of a distraction to throw the show thankfully, but it is enough to remind me of over-priced private-line designers that do the same. It is not as one dimensional as Iris aroma chemicals, some iris essential oils or some privé designers, not one bit. Cedre Iris is very finely blended and I like its simplicity but it is not as dimensional as I would expect from a blend that seeks to display a real Cedar and Iris. Owning some Iris flowers in my front yard, Iris flowers can contain metallic facets of hot iron as well as yeasty, lipid facets of vegetable oil and leather. Iris also possesses fruity, green, banana, sometimes raspberry facets and starchy cereal nuances of bread or dough. Iris butter can come across as a more smooth and linear dimension of the flower's natural smell possessing talcum powdery nuances. Iris butter can be earthy and can come across leathery in some blends also with waxy facets. Moroccan atlas cedar is camphorous, sulfuric and industrial like the smell of moth-balls, and Virginia and Texas cedars are typical sawdust and wood-shop smells containing leather facets, mildew facets, and humidity. I was hoping for Cedre Iris to exceed expectations give me more than what was promised especially at the price so that I can be knee-deep in the complex profiles of these great ingredients but the blend is too smooth and only succeeds at perpetuating the simplicity it promises. Cedre Iris lasts a great amount of 6-7 hours and it is comfortably linear and pleasingly, tasteful, fashionable and French. Unisex. Being nice to this fragrance we can say it is a relative to such classics as Jacques Guerlain's Après l'Ondée or l'Heure Bleue which inspired such fragrances as Pierre Bourdon's Iris Poudre from Frédéric Malle. Users have voted this being somewhat similar. This had the potential to reach those heights, the talent and the ingredients are there. The essential oils of these cedars and Iris Pallida can alone be perfume but the blend is too academic, safe and cold. It is still a very enjoyable wear that has me thinking about it sometimes. I truly suggest trying this line it is wonderful and has not one bit been a waste of my time. I am considering a discounted purchase as a fancy signature fragrance. My suggestion would be that this brand promises a beautiful minimalist base using natural essences of the highest olfactory caliber, then prove it to me! 9/10

This brand are a real revelation! I mean as a tireless fragrance hunter I'm constantly trying stuff from transient, pop up houses that I can barely remember from day to day with oddly similar names and this is one of them. The famliar name I mean because the fragrances are highly memorable for the sheer fact that they smell so bassy! (base heavy) The atomiser is practically a subwoofer, pumping out 40hz bass to your chest. I mean that musk/ambergris one was such a unique perfume that anything else from this brand would have to be amazing to reach those heights. Cedar Iris doesn't but it's still very, very, good and is the embodiment of Ronseal perfumery doing exactly what it says on the tin (okay only UK readers will probably get that) and no I don't mean this smells like teak woodstain or creosote. This smells like cedar and Iris, which is a glorious combination, the fleshy smoothness of the iris and the anything but smoothness of a robust, smoky, prickling virginian/Texas type cedarwood. More specifically this feels, thick and textured, containing relatively high doses of natural materials. Now everyone will know my stance on Natural Vs Synthetic (a redundant and stupid 'battle' they're all Just chemicals folks!!!!) and I'm not suggesting natural equals better but in this instance these two materials combine in quite a blissful way, really complimenting one another. Cedar is pretty abundant and reasonably priced and there's no reason not to assume it's not in even the least 'niche' of perfumes but 'Iris' materials (of which there's quite a few) but lets say Orris butter is wildly expensive, so perhaps wouldn't necessarily feature and as I mentioned....that's fine, there's some wonderful Iris/orris synthetic molecules and bases. In here though, there's a thickness and sweet, stewed carrot, going to powdery, ethereal, weirdness and magic about the iris smell, you can really smell the irone content. Again this reminds me of a base from PCW which is an iris/cedar mixture of natural materials and it's divine, so is this perfume and it's so simple to say that it's two things, there's probably other stuff holding it together too. One minor critique is that it's not very exciting, it's a perfume aesthetic which would be more suited to those who like natural or artisanal perfume, although with the added bonus (again a personal preference) these are all made by trained perfumers I believe.

Sweet, suave, discreet, powdery, beautiful ... but just a little bit samey. Maybe all the years of battering the smell buds with some of the butchest, most bombastic wood scents around have brutalised them, but I only get cedar (a favourite note) as a very vague impression here, rather than the thunking sawdust/plank effect others report. It's an intensely civilised EVOCATION rather than ESSENCE of the wood. Here everything is calm, comfortable luxe, which is what Affinessence do best (and at an outrageous RRP); the iris is gorgeously warm and powdery - nothing soapy or cold or 'liquid' at all, this is pure dry safe-space all the way though. Not quite the outrageous orris overdose I was seeking, but really classy work all the same. Everything so mellow and comfortable there's hardly anything to object to, but I still pick up more of an almost-generic vanilla & powder feel than the promised precious array resins, guaiac, etc - it seemed closest of all to YSL Velours or even (weirdly) to the other Affinessence beaut Santal Basmati. Now that is not bad at all! (and as a passionate lover of Santal Basmati, it's precisely why I jumped at a heavily marked-down bottle of this) - but if you're seeking cedar transcendence, or an ultra-iris barnstormer, you may feel a slight sense of letdown as well as agonising pain in the wallet. Wears fairly close to the skin - half-arm's length is about as far as it goes - but on the plus side, longevity is extremely impressive, and its aura lulls to a sense of deep relaxation. The drydown's absolutely lovely. So: understatedly wonderful, even if it's not a total marvel of originality.

#980 in my "Tour de Fragrance" I love most any iris scent, and I love this. The opening is cedar, cedar and more cedar, but in a few minutes the iris comes through. Is it better than Dior Homme Intense? Not really. Is it better than Givenchy Gentleman EDP. Okay the longevity and projection are better (Givenchy has a problem there), but it's not $100+ better. Still, if you're cool with spending this kind of cash, I'd get the Dior Homme Parfum, especially you guys. And if the woodiness is not important to you Valentino Uomo Intense is a great iris scent. This is car pool, elevator and small office safe. Anyone who smells it will like it. Okay for the office, better for dates. I'd say any use you'd have for Dior Homme, this will fit. It's a great scent, but I have alternatives, so for the moment this isn't high on my acquisition list, unless I win the Lottery. I could feel differently if this is still performing at the end of the day.

The best scent to describe a colorful autumn. Its not a perfume, it is a real piece of art. Imagine that you are smelling an iris flower along with its soil under light rain.a mixture of iris, cedar and damp soil under autumn rain. It smells very classy , precious and expensive. Scent: 4.9/5 Longevity: +8hrs Projection: moderate Occasions: formal Season; autumn afternoon and evenings Age:+35

Great iris and woody powders blend. Open with a sweet and creamy poudre, then quickly turn into a masculine, bitter woody/powder scent, little bit too dry (vetiver perhaps) ... Ideal scent for autumn afternoon, winter morning/night, or rainny days. Imaging walking in any Garden or Park in London, layering this scent on your coat. Classic and peaceful !!

Sooo smoooth, woody, slightly sweet, wearable, the cedar is really authentic, the iris is sligthly powdery, clean, creamy semi sweetness joined by a slight white chocolate note in the background, yes, it is super expensive but it smells expensive too

It's like Melt My Heart by Strangelove with the magic stripped away. It's a quality scent, but I have no emotional reaction to it so for the price it's a firm "meh". Next.

I like this way way more than I expected. Great blend. I would consider getting a full bottle of this. I am not sure that it is unique or adventurous, but it is well done.

Best of the best. Love of my life

Crumbs! A blast of cedar wood curls come straight at you. You really need to love the cedar note to get on board with this scent. It then settles and then the iris and benzoin peak through. The myrhh and incense finally start to surface after half an hour. I really love wood scents but even the opening of this is a bit overwhelming for me. It smells a bit synthetic. I like it much more once it's a benzoin, iris and cedar mix. The cedar has become much more gentlemanly. I like the intensity and depth the incense and myrrh provide as the base notes. They seem a crucial part of the success of this scent. A lovely unisex scent that has warmth and sweetness from the vanilla. It curiously smells it's sweetest after half and hour or so. The perfect scent for autumn. A time of mellow fruitfulness and colourful leaves crunching beneath your shoes. I get good longevity and sillage.

Not a novelty but good with genuine ingredients. The notes I capture most are iris, myrrh, guajac and steaming vanilla. Near the skin is more feminine, dusty. A little peacock with a kind of buttery lipstick and delicate violet pale tones. This in need of scarves and foulards to flutter. It reminded me a little about Bois d'argent, bois d'iris, and Iris celadon by Armani. If you are an iris fanatic you can buy them all three and mix them ... It will still be more advantageous economically! :-l ENJOYABLE , Superfluous, Expensive.

No one will ever say that Cedre Iris is linear. Cedre Iris starts out as a smooth, pleasant, smoke tinged leather. I also feel a tobacco note in the opening. I know neither notes are listed, but that’s what I am picking up. After 20 minutes the scent highlights cedar wood, before turning to a powdery, more feminine base with Iris. I like this perfume, good quality and all around decent stamina are noted. But a pass because even if the cost was not an issue, it’s a scent that’s out of my wheelhouse.

It smells good for sure but I guess I'm not big enough of a connoisseur to appreciate the 3 different types of cedar and the fairly lofty price tag that comes with it. It's smoother and less screechy than Dior Homme Intense (2025), but otherwise smells quite similar to me - especially after drying down. I don't think I would ever splurge on a full-size but I'm enjoying my decant.

Elegant, dry Cedar Iris with smooth transitions. Cost is earned with ingredients, but don't like it so much I'd buy a whole bottle.

I had a quick test in store and it reminded me very strongly of Dior Homme Parfum. Great creamy iris root scent.

Elegant, but a bit too powdery for me

For me, this is excellent on paper, and not nearly as good on skin, at least on mine. I sprayed it on a test strip, loved it and immediately started searching for a bottle at discounters online. While I searched, I sprayed it on my wrist and immediately changed my tune. This is a fairly bitter, rooty and synthetic smelling iris. An extremely poor man's Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. 8/10 on paper 4/10 on skin

I think I’m already over the chocolatey iris trend I don’t stomach it like I used to This one as other reviewers stated it’s a relative to the Dior homme line And for the price it’s not worth it I got a compliment but to me it’s not important Performance was very good Not a good choice for me

There is certainly a heavy cedar and powdered iris scent but after a couple minutes a poignant violet floral note comes in, along with.. Play-Doh? I love Cedar fragrances and was so excited for this one but unfortunately the weird playdough undertone ruins the scent for me completely.

I don't understand the 'chocolate' amber comments but perhaps I'm not far enough in dry down to get those notes. Right now it's firmly an ORRIS ROOT fragrance. Very rooty, almost a spicy, powdery wood with lots of bulbous squeaky orris like the feeling when you bite into an uncooked mushroom. That kind of squeaky root feeling, if you will. There is a burst of sweet violet in the opening but it lasts seconds not minutes. Here's the rub, I love orris root fragrances. But, I also own a lot of them because of this fixation I have with that rooty smell that for me is synesthesia for texture like biting into mushrooms to use my previous example. This one doesn't even break into my top 5. It's good, and I'm be happy to own a bottle if gifted but not going to buy it. For reference, my top 5 fragrances that either feature predominately or in the composition has orris root are: 1.) Iris Cendre (smoky iris) by Naomi Goodsir 2. ) Bukhara (spicy/sweet/woody iris) by Gallivant 3.) New Sibet (leather and goat hairs!) by Slumberhouse 4.) Orris Wakan by Amouage 5.) Misia Excl. (chanel-ade aldehydes then sweet violets and tons of orris in dry down) by Chanel.

Initially dense and front-loaded much like its sibling Musc Ambre Gris, Cedre Iris begins with a sharp, astringent, yet pleasant pale cedar, but it isn't anything earth shattering. Enjoyable? Yes. A new way of smelling cedar? Not enough for the Affinescence jaw-dropping price point. This cedar sizzles for a while, with the juice itself glistening on my skin as it slowly evaporates, and soon comes the iris part: how novel. I think I smell an interesting aromachem here known as Orivone (orris hexanone). It's a woody, camphoraceous, oily, earthy orris material, perhaps used to bridge the cedar with orris. I quite like it, but smelling it on it own it feels a bit shallow. I am smelling it here on its own for some time. Then comes all this other orris stuff, maybe even some orris butter, but who knows really. I'm sorry to say, but find this all ho hum and literal, like a sketch presented as a final composition, without the edges softened and the shadows deepened. I almost feel like the brand is a playground for perfumers to explore and experiment with their materials, with the end products packaged for the consumer with a $200-300 price tag.

There are 3 distince phases to this fragrance: - Opens with a blast of beautiful cedar (but literally just cedar). I kinda see what they mean by 3 kinds of cedar because this part is so beautiful. Dusty and dry but in a super comforting way. - Then the cedar fades away and comes the iris. The iris here feels average in my opinion. Not much i can say about other than no, it doesnt remind me of Dior Pour Homme. The DPH line has a very distinct chocolate powder note mixed with iris and now Cedre Iris is just iris to me. - The iris is then quickly gone and now it is all supposedly benzoin but all i smell is a vaguely sweet, sugarly base. So for me, I like it but it’s not full bottle worthy imho.

Smells like formaldehyde grapes, and oud. Like a dark femme candy. Very chemical, very sweet, and woodsy. I like it a lot actually! Edit: Tried it again and it's actually VERY smokey. And at first it's got that, I just smashed an ant and it reeks smell, along with a powdery sweetness that's a bit too much, like powdered monk fruit. Like eating a sugar-free violet pastel, and wearing an amber necklace & flannel that was fireside all night. It does dry down to have this bitter perfume-y tone that I don't like, it's almost tempered by the wood and sweetness. I think the bitter is the myrrh and benzoine interacting with iris.

How do you rate something when it’s supposed to be something new? Do you rate it against what you know or what they are trying to do? The idea is interesting. Does rejecting the fleetingness of top notes (and their ability to sell to the masses in store) give this more credibility? This isn’t your molecule 01 ‘cedar’, it’s not your Prada Iris. It’s not something we’d be familiar with, because it’s not suppose to, right? Smells high quality and balanced and nice and the Iris / woods combo was more silky than sharp. It’s super nice and I can imagine those who own it will find plenty of place to wear it to.

This is more vanilla iris than Ceder. Quite powdery and elegant, soft yet strong on the silage. Quite strong actually with some slight brick smell, dust, and tonka beans as well. I can detect the Myrrh, and the incense but the vanilla sweet is more strong than any note here. It's quite nice after all but for 300 Euro, i don't think it's a good bargain.

The cedar woodchips / pencil shavings modified by the warmth of the iris... The drydown gets quite myrrhey-benzoiney, and sadly, there's not much else for me to report on this one! Disappointed, yes, but also a little confused -- I thought it would be a little more potent and long-lasting...

Beautifully made. Not the knockout blow Affinessense deliver with other frags in their 'Base Notes' range but seriously classy. The only neg. is depending where you live including the tax it can be up to 400 bucks a bottle. Their Musk-Ambegris is absolutely outstanding.

Cedar / Iris and cedar stays around. Rep who I spoke to said that there is a long payoff with this one and you need to wait a couple hours. Personally unlike my cedar in the molecule 01 style so I’m not the best to review this. I think it smells fine enough.

Got this as a random sample with a lucky scent purchase. Smells like the notes. Softer than I was expecting and quite interesting. The iris woody perfumes are there own genre worth exploring. An alternate choice for men’s perfumes in particular.

Strangley but iris smells totaly diferent as raw ingredient.It smells earthy,powdery...just not like this at all but let's forget it for now🙂So this is "iris"/wood combo and very good quality one.This remindes me on Dior Homme line when sprayed.

Not getting this one. Sharp, astringent woody opening. Almost a napthalene quality to it. That's dominating. Dries down quite soft as the wood dissipates. Minor carroty iris? Nothing else. Not for me.

I really enjoy this. Unfortunately, the sprayer doesn't work very well. It sprays out quite a lot and wide. The iris and Cedar are beautiful together.

Very stately, too mature for me. It does have that baby wipe smell that is difficult for me to get past.

Sweeter Bois Farine. More powdery, less warm. I like it :)