Dorian's Fougère

This is absolutely gorgeous. A fougere that truly matches the classical approach of the genre and then some, Dorian's Fougere is a culmination of my favorite aromatic elements. Naturally, it opens with an effulgent lavender and bergamot, but also includes a beautiful mastic leaf, coniferous and almost incense-like. It feels like a pastel, cool, celadon green, a foliage patina, a tender melancholy. Darren Alan uses his own artisanal extraction of hay, which reveals itself no sooner than the top note fanfare crescendos, revealing one of the most satisfying "new mown hay" accords I have encountered, rivaling that of Santa Maria Novella's Fieno, Oriza L. Legrand's beauties, and vintages I've sampled from the early 20th century. This is combined with three notes that I adore: carnation, geranium and hawthorn. I am in heaven. This is my sweet spot. It elicits a frisson, my whole body shivers. Darren managed to combine all of this with aplomb. The end result is an equipoise that feels soft and plush, like the trichomes on the leaves of forest foliage. Darren anchors it all with vintage musk and civet, and when combined with the tonka, my skin feels ensconced, swaddled by the woodland, listening to the haunting song of a hermit thrush. It is a balm for the weary, a sonnet for the soul, and it proves to be one of the most impressive indie releases I've experienced this year.

Sharp citrus bite and a somewhat minty lavender, the petitgrain giving off this woody floral (more citrus) vibe in the open. I don't know the best way to describe the other note in the open other than it is aldeyhedic without being an aldehyde, providing a strong airiness. It took me a couple sprays to figure it out, but the hay note in the heart is really interesting and adds almost a substitute vetiver alongside the sea of floral notes. This is also the first fragrance for me where neroli was listed as a note and I definitely got it; usually it's hiding with other floral for me. The indian musk on the sandalwood and mossy civet soaked vague woods (patchouli didn't come through for me) actually makes me think of balsamic incense for some reason -- that was by far my favorite aspect, cool base.

I love this fragrance. It’s a toss up between Chypre No.1, Hekate and Dorian’s Fougere. I could sit here and try to diagnose the note breakdown, telling you what I get and don’t get. Instead, I think the best way to summarize this fragrance is comforting. I’d tried over and over to pinpoint what this scent reminds of, but it alludes me. This reminds me of better times. Father and my Uncles hanging out like family do. It reminds me of summer in the Northeast. If you like classics do yourself a favor and smell this. It was a love right away. Very complex but still familiar. Enjoy and Happy Hunting.

I tried a small sample but will be buying a full bottle. This has a lot of nice woody, barbershop naturals in it. Kind of a retro fragrance but at the same time original. Lovely

It's a great scent and wonderfully blended. High quality ingredients and masterfully done... I wanted to love this one so much but on my skin and my preference, it is "ok". The floral is too much for me as a male. The background scent profile is more what I am into, but the floral was much too strong and prominent for my personal tastes. Beautifully done fragrance, just not something I can pull off.