Washington Square

Just got my sample of Washington Square by Bond No 9 from Ebay in today. Notes: Italian bergamot, geranium, tarragon, purple rose, honey, vintage amber, leather accord, vetiver and musk I wasn't expecting much from this scent based on the reviews I've read elsewhere (although I take most Bond reviews with a grain of salt as I've found that the general disdain for the brand often times carries over unfairly into the perception of the scents) but I must say I am very, very impressed. In fact, this is the first time I've been really moved by a scent (you guys know the feeling - it's wonderful, and it happens all too rarely!) in quite some time. Washington Square opens with a wonderful astringent bergamot note that is unique in its application as it's not really tied to anything later on. This seems like an odd choice - a tart citric opening that quickly fades into a floral/herbal heart, but the juxtaposition is really awesome. The bergamot quickly fades leaving on a hint of tartness as a reminder it was once there, and what develops is a floral herbal fruity affair. They say they use "purple rose" in this, and if I had to guess I'd say the accord is based off of the Burgundy Iceberg rose which has a sweet scent reminiscent of honey. Also present is a dark almost grape-like note - could this be the tarragon interacting with the rose? Tarragon has an anise like facet to its green profile, but the note present in WS is more dark grape (even a hint of wine, perhaps) than anise. The geranium is subdued and I believe used more for its texture than scent - geranium has this rounding effect on notes.. it behaves kind of like an aldehyde in that sense. Careful sniffing does reveal an actual geranium note but it's definitely just a supporting note for this dark, honeyed fruity rose in the heart. The tarragon and vetiver come out more as time goes on and combine to create a green woody note that calls to mind the green/woody rosemary note in Guerlain's Tonka Imperiale. Combined with the honey, another note that WS and TI share, there is definitely a similarity between the two scents but the accords, although similar, are rendered in completely different 'color palettes'. Whereas Tonka Imperiale is composed primarily of warm reds and browns, Washington Square is a far cooler affair rendered in lilac/burgundy/white with hints of green (the picture on the bottle is a good example of the 'color palette' of the scent.) While Tonka Imperiale is quite warm throughout, WS is actually quite "cold" upon application - cold and velvety smooth - it calls to mind large snowflakes lazily drifting to the ground on a silent winter evening. WS warms up in the dry down as it begins to resemble TI more and more, but the character of the scents is still quite different. TI is the extroverted uncle, chomping away on numerous gourmand goodies and telling jokes around the fireplace, while WS is the introverted cousin who enjoys the warm christmas-y atmosphere and his uncle's good jokes, but sits in the chair nearest the window and steals many a glance outside at the virginal, serene landscape as his thoughts drift to and fro. WS starts out leaning feminine, although not any more so than many of the modern masculines (eg: Kenzo Power, Dior Homme), and becomes more masculine although still decidedly unisex as it dries down. Like TI, it seems neither masculine nor feminine - it is genderless but perhaps not seasonless. I've always thought of TI as a "winter only" fragrance as its scent evokes such strong holiday images, and I think WS may fall into the same category. It does seem a bit more versatile than TI though, being less gourmand and less overtly rich (although it does have a smooth richness to it thanks to a large dose of honey). All in all, this is a wonderful scent that is unlike anything else out there (I compare it to TI mostly because of its strong seasonal feel, and far less so because of the accord they somewhat share). My favorite Bond alongside Harrods Swarovski Ltd. Edition. I should mention that every single note listed is clearly evident in this scent (even the supporting notes), and that there is a subtle but constant evolution throughout that is really quite admirable. Also, the leather note is more "suede-like."

Washington Square starts citrusy with a quick blast of bergamot. Next I get the terragon, vibrant and herbal but never harsh and a soft hint of musk and geranium. After a while they are joined by honey (terragon and honey make the most amazing combo!), rose and leather. The fragrance dries down to a smooth mix of vetiver, amber and musk. It lasts at least 9 hours on me. Generally I'm not big into musky scents but here it fits just right, helps to bring out the other notes and makes them really shine. I like Washington Square a lot. It's interesting, exceptionally well blended and it simply wears very comfortably. The bottle is a piece of art as well. I do have a problem with the price tag (230$/100ml) though. I probably wouldn't have treated myself to a bottle if it wasn't for a great bargain. So far I've fallen in serious like with four of the Bonds but the only one that actually got me to whip out my wallet without hesitation was New Haarlem. In that case quality, strength and longevity balance out the comparatively high costs. Sadly that can't be said about Washington Square: avarage potency and staying power for a hefty charge.

I don't know where to start. This fragrance took me by surprise. Initially, I bought a decant to try. My initial impression was....."This is too masculine". Now, I am always on the lookout for a good unisex fragrance that leans slightly more masculine, as I find them to have great sex appeal. So, I didn't understand my initial reaction. But I did not give up. I tested it for a week, there after. Now, I can't get enough of it. It is a fresh, airy, and aromatic, yet rich fragrance. The first 10-15 mins are a little off putting as the combination of the vetyver, tarragon, and bergamot are quite sharp. After that, it develops into a beautiful, fresh rose fragrance enveloped in honey, elevated by amber. It is such a delightful, uplifting scent. Easily one of my favorite spring and summer scents. This is a true unisex fragrance as I believe this would smell wonderful on a man as well.

Wow! I love this and cannot get enough of it! It does start out the way many bond no. 9 fragrances do- sort of a greem, crispness... but after I've been wearing it an hour or two I smell like the heirloom roses in our backyard when I bring in a bouquet. It does seem a bit powdery. I'm not sure I would call this a 'crossover scent'- at least from my experience as to how it wears on me, very floral, very rosy. I def. wouldn't recommend this to my male friends but it is hands down, now, one of my fave bond no. 9 scents. I still love Madison Park Square. Every scent is unique but in a way all the bond no. 9 fragrances seem to be tied togther- my nose isn't good enough to say what it is but.. anyway, ladies, if you love a nice floral, roses in particular, I highly recommend this scent. It's lovely.

Notes from the Bond No. 9 website: Italian bergamont, geranium, tarragon, purple rose, honey, vintage amber, leather accord, vetiver and musk. This is a rather energetic and zesty rose fragrance with the citrus, geranium and herbs creating an exciting aromatic air. At this point, I'm reminded of Hermes Rose Ikebana, but Washington Square is a little less sharp, less sour, less austere, less intimidating--musk and honey manage to give the zesty rose just enough sweetness to be barely approachable. The leather is also very subtle--it manages to gently cradle this wandering rose in its supple palm and never tries to harness its kinetic beauty. Washington Square is an invigorating rose that's rather stimulating to wear. I have no hesitation in placing it onto my want list.