Bois d’Ombrie

Bois d'Ombrie was one that I purchased on a whim way back in 2008, when my exploration with niche fragrances began. I dated someone who was not a fan of it, and not long afterwards, we weren't fans of each other any longer. Bois d'Ombrie could've been a litmus test, because I loved it now just as I loved it then. It has this fascinating collision of bitter green leafy, tannic woody notes with a damp, chewy tobacco, freshly unearthed carrots and facets that me of turmeric and yams. This also features a note of calamus, a wetland plant also referred to as "sweet flag", which exudes a peculiar, captivating oil that has mildly sweet, cinnamic facets, and an oily, waxy, buttery, nutty scent profile. It's really in a league of its own. Sadly, most essential oil in production comes from plants that contain beta-asarone, which may have carcinogenic properties (although the amount in calamus oil posing any danger is debatable). There is calamus grown in the US that does not contain it, but very little oil is produced from it. Here, master perfumer Bertrand Duchafour deftly reconstructs a calamus accord that is bolstered by orris (coming from the same family of plants) and adds this dimension to the saturated, rich tobacco in the heart of Bois d'Ombrie. While the notes pyramid may claim that there are cognac and whiskey notes, I really only get a suggestion of that from the peaty, loamy undertones. There is no bright, sharp alcoholic flushness at all that would assert "booziness" thankfully, because I am generally not a fan of that. A nuanced smokiness from the resins in the dry down are what shifts what is otherwise seemingly a linear fragrance, but I have no issue with this at all, because it is one of the most gorgeous tobacco-oriented fragrances I've smelled. Without any vanilla or honey that obscures tobacco into a sweeter, fluffier affair in many popular tobacco fragrances, here it is accompanied by elements that bring out its distinct aromatic, raw, wonderfully coarse qualities. Sadly, it has been discontinued by Eau d'Italie after so many years in production.

Amazing fragrance, strong and personal! It lasts for AGES and projects incessantly. I agree with all reviews in this case. First: it is indeed 90% similar to Dzongkha... although I find this one more wearable for a man than the artisan's. Both share that metallic edge and are great pieces of art imho. So I don't really mind the identical features (I would have loved to know it before acquiring both though... true... there is no need if you have one to own the other really...) but I'm happy with my purchase. This is one of those scents that can't escape from making a statement so don't just put it and go around with an innocent face...as if you just sprayed your any cologne on a summery day... you're guilty and it is sooo evident!: this might not even be seen by others as a "beautiful" scent but rather like a bomb that needs an attitude behind. I am completely certain this would work gorgeously on women just like Dzongkha does but again: not easy to wear for anyone unless you're prepared for its charms (which to me are more of an intellectual kind...) I find that it would make anyone seem interesting but also a bit distant... aloof even. Iris is a very complicated note since it is hardly inviting or cosy... it pleases from coldland. Please sample before buying. But do me a favour: sample! On a last note: tacky bottle... it looks ok on pictures but it is sooo ugly... like cheap shampoo with a paper sticker on it losing its glue from the very first spray... no no! But again, the scent itself: oh yes yes!!!

Ah, Bois d'Ombrie - my dark, shadowy love! This perfume was the first time that I, a small curly-haired lady, fell in love with a leather/smoky/masculine scent. So much so that I found myself spraying my sweaters, my blankets, my skin - everything, just so I could smell this all day. The cognac, whiskey, carrot, and calamus are all there on first spray. The booze is neat, slightly bitter, blending with the green-earthiness of the carrot and calamus. Underneath is orris root, patchouli and vetiver (more earthy-green, but with a dusty powdery quality), leather and tobacco smoke, ashy incense, and resins. My first thought when I put it on was - "this smells like the inside of a fireplace in a wealthy gentleman's library, or.... maybe a campfire in a grassy meadow at night...with booze" and also "...why do I like this?" Maybe because it smells like you took a bunch of expensive ingredients and then burned them in a bonfire outside, with smoke spiralling towards the sky as an offering to the Gods. It feels luxe and special. But also comforting, like your granddad's old tweed jacket, but, like, his *favourite* jacket that he wears out in the countryside everyday. There's nothing dated or synthetic smelling about it. It's just pure, beautiful nature. On fire. At nighttime. I can't live without it - please never take it away! ps. have just seen it is discontinued. How sad for the world!

A stunning opening, with a strong balsamic green bitter note, supported by a subtle boozy note. It then slowly morphs into a more classic - but perfectly executed - damp, green-ish tobacco note, supported by resins, especially myrrh and frankincense, giving a subtle smokiness, and a patchouli/iris combo, giving earthiness and powderiness. Like if I sticked my nose in a suede pouch with fresh moist rolling tobacco. I don't really understand the choice of the name (aside of the opening, maybe?). Anyways, I am not afraid to say that this is probably the most beautiful tobacco-centered fragrance I've ever smelt. Here, there is no interference of vanilla, honey or other useless sweeteners, just a beautiful tobacco. One of my most successful blind buys, even if I wish that the performance was improved. Well... no one is perfect, right? Unisex leaning (slightly masculine), but a woman could pull this one off easily. I own ~200 fragrances, and this one immediately skyrocketed in my top 10. Highly recommended, to who looks for a meditative and perfectly tailored fragrance. Young crowds aiming at mainstream sugary/beast mode crowdpleasers are invited to look elsewhere (and leave this one to who is able to appreciate it at its full value). Spring/Fall evenings, 30+

An outstanding boozy concoction of leather, tobacco & orris. As dry as a desert and totally refined. I can't say I've ever smelt anything quite like this before. The boozy blast of cognac in the opening is an outright jaw dropper, as is the cigar-esque/humidor note which persists throughout. The leather in this is also something to behold and when it's joined in the middle phase by a rootsy orris, some very subtle olibanum/myrrh and a dirty patchouli note, you sure know that you're in the presence of greatness. A woodsy note of dry vetiver emerges in the dry down, as does a hint of licorice, which doesn't appear in the official notes, but is present to my beak. Definitely a scent for dressed up evenings in my opinion, this wonderfully weird fragrance is sure to set you apart from the crowd on such occasions. I adore tobacco scents and the note in this one, along with that in Tobacco Oud are my all time favorites. Bois d'Ombrie somehow manages to straddle the line between elegant refinement and intriguing weirdness with skill & precision. Yet another example of the mastery possessed by Bertrand Duchaufour. High class and a must for lovers of tobacco/leather scents. Quite outstanding indeed!

This was a "love at first sniff" scent for me, and years later I still swoon over it. I'd call it super-old-fashioned-masculine in a sense, in that I could see Rex Harrison or some other strong-yet-refined English guy from the mid-20th-century wearing it. Leather, tobacco, and cognac are the notes I mostly get (though I might've guessed brandy, being not as familiar with cognac), with a good base of wood--smells like a cabinet in which our gentleman would keep his liquor and pipe tobacco. I hadn't noticed the iris that others mention, but now that it's pointed out, I see how it's under there, softening the whole effect just a tad. And though I'm a slip of a 21st-century American woman, I love wearing it. Mmmm.

If you will find masterpiece, different than everything you know, you have to be a poet to describe it appropriately. This exactly is what I thing about the Bois d’Ombrie. I’m not poet even I’m not native English so it is very difficult for me to express how wonderful and amazing is this fragrance. In a few words, beautiful resins with woods and little spices that create most cozy aura I know from perfumes. This is the fragrance I want all people to use around me any time and everywhere. As I said I’m no poet so I feel too weak to describe this marvelous smell. The only I can do... I really recommend Bois d’Ombrie to my friends and foes as well. Everyone has to have some pleasure ;-) from time to time.

Bois d'Ombrie was great on my skin. I had the olfactory association of sitting upright on a leather armchair in a study full of old books, with an authentic 1920's lamp on the side table. Very specific. If I could channel Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey without irony or anachronism, this is what I'd wear. It's not masculine on me, just very strong and stately, just a little bit stern. I liked it alot in my 20s--it was a fragrance I would wear to work on days when I felt like I needed a little boost on the "take me seriously!" front. I don't have it now but may buy it again when I'm older. Not that there's anything "grandma" about it! But I think it would suit me better.

Very dry as mentioned. A bit more masculine as it focuses on tobacco with plenty of undertones of other notes. This is my 3rd time sampling it and I am very impressed. Very earthy notes such as vetiver and orris once you get past the somewhat boozy opening. I might get some flack but it reminds me of an enhanced RL Romance Silver in so many ways but multiplied by 10x. The sillage and longevity are excellent as this is a very refined scent. If you like your scents to transition from boozy to dry to earthy this will be perfect!

It opens with intense dried plums and other dried fruits soaked in good alcohol notes, not a hint of sweetness. Then it gets greener and fresher, with noticeable vetiver, tabacco and dry woods. It's soothing, sober, I would say elegant even, perfume, and I did not met any similar to it.

Bought yesterday and try today , is very dry and particular... I think a excellent parfume , too good all day long to sniff my wrist ;-) Great 9/10 for me. Next purchase of this brand : Sienne l ́Hiver Eau D`Italie

One word describes this scent: MASTERPIECE!

Smell of a Chinese medicine herb shop

In my opinion this is a masterpiece of modern perfumery, without doubt. The fragrance evokes the image of a real wood full of moisture: more precisely the undergrowth in autumn when the soil is full of dried leaves soaked in water, with the delicate smell of smoke that permeates the air. When a scent evokes images so clearly, to me it begins to be a masterpiece. This is a scent of classic elegance, yet at the same time is a modern fragrance. At the top notes Bois D'Ombrie starts with a splendid note of cognac and whisky, this gives to the fragrance a touch of classical elegance and makes the scent clearly masculine. After few minutes starts to emerge a clear note of tobacco and begins to form in our minds the image of an enchanted autumn forest. In the middle/hearts note we can find a beautiful note of iris and a touch of leather that gives to the perfume a leather smell while smoked wet woods are always presents in background. In the dry down Bois D'Ombrie continues with tobacco/leather/iris accord and adds a little note of myrrh and vetiver perfectly blended with a note of opoponax and patchouli that makes the fragrande darker and deeper. The sillage is moderate and longevity (lasting power) is very good (up to 6 hours). In conclusion Bois D'Ombrie is an underestimated masterpiece is absolutely one of the best fragrances created by the master Duchaufour. Awesome. Vincenzo F.

Ititially it’s cold and dark and dusty, like a stuffy room full of ancient stone, crumbling dry wood, disintegrating leather and old, half-smoked cigars. There’s no smoky fireplace or freshly-poured booze, just furniture and belongings that have been abandoned and closed up for too long. Soon after applying Bois d’Ombrie, I went for a walk in the cold. It was sunny and dry, but well below freezing. The old snow was crunchy underfoot. Suddenly the sillage took on a resinous, woody, slightly smoky quality that was completely different from the way it had smelled inside, and was absolutely lovely. Back inside, when I took my coat off, my husband said, “the house smells like a million baked potatoes”. Come to think of it, Bois d’Ombrie does have a bit of a baked potato scent. After a few minutes inside, it’s back to the tobacco, dusty old wood, dry stone, iris, vetiver, and baked potatoes. There’s a lot of sillage, though it’s not overpowering. The scent just doesn’t quit, still going strong the next day on both skin and clothing. I think this is one of those scents that behaves differently depending on the weather. I wouldn’t be surprised if it also behaved very differently depending on who is wearing it. I can’t make up my mind whether I like it or not, but it’s interesting.

Dusty! Pretty fascinating how carrots smell dusty in the right context. This is very attractive, well-described by the listed notes and other reviewers, and just slightly off-kilter. I think it needed a bit more tweaking, as particular notes keep popping out of the chorus and then harmonizing once again. These are vivid, mostly sweet but non-floral notes cycling in rapid succession (e.g in two minutes: cognac, honey, tobacco, dust, cognac, dust, carrot!). So it feels less like magic and more like confusion. Take your stand, B d'O! She does, hours later, and that's when the damp vegetal leaf-litter kind of place emerges. It's lovely, and odd, and I'm thinking that's calamus. I admire the taming of its camphor facets into a smooth and balanced blend. Coincidentally, yesterday I was sampling Olympic Orchids Cafe V, and I feel that this Bois d'Ombrie dry down, plus the whole coffee/vanilla/whipped cream story, is what Cafe V was meant to smell like. Ah well, maybe I should stop reading all the copy that comes with perfumes.

Ombrie is a region in Italy bordering Tuscany, Lazio and Le Marche. It is often called Italy's green heart, and known for its dense forests. Bois D'Ombrie excels in creating the Obrie region. It is the most natural and raw tobacco scent ever. It makes you think you are in a green area during sunset with a cold breeze making BBQ on fire. I was initially skeptical about purchasing Bois D'Ombrie. However, when I noticed that I frequently reached out to my wrist to smell it, I had no option but to purchase it. This is not a fragrance for immature noses and faint of hearts. It may not appeal to most people, but if you love tobacco scent, you must get your nose on it. Longevity is beastly.

Bois d’Ombrie reminds me of Arabie, and other Serge Lutens fragrances, because of that powdery/watery base. I am actually wearing Bois d’Ombrie on one hand, and Arabie on the other. The Bd’O drydown is more pleasant than Arabie, but that isn’t saying much because it is still drowning in watery powder, and quite anemic. I prefer Sienne L'Hiver over Bois d’Ombrie because of its unique olive note, although it’s drowning, too. After about an hour, Arabie is still going strong, but Bd’O has faded into nothing more than a skin scent. Maybe it isn’t fair to compare these 2, but to MY nose, Bois d’Ombrie is a weaker, although more pleasant, imitation of Arabie.

Bois d'Ombrie starts off with a strong note of tobacco. This tobacco is very realistic. It feels like a entered a tobacconists' shop, took a box of loose tobacco and opened it. That is most of what get from this one. In the drydown, there is a certain green-ness going on. But that is about it. Nothing too special about Bois d'Ombrie, feels a bit too one-dimensional for me to wear, even though the tobacco in here is one of the best I have ever smelled. It would be better if I could smell the boozyness that is in the note breakdown. The longevity is about 5 hours with moderate-soft projection. For the price tag, I cannot justify getting a full bottle.

Wow! Never smelled anything like it! Is is a unique scent, very peppery with a heavy tobacco base ( in a very good way! ) I enjoy this one very much though i have to say, don't buy it unless you've tested it! It's not for everyones taste and i think it's one of this scents that you either love or hate. I would say it's very masculine and green and it lasts and lasts and lasts... I sprayed it on me yesterday and today i still have hints of it from the shirt i was wearing...For a conclusion i will say that it's very appealing and even sensual but in a "green" and woody way if you know what i mean...Very intense!