Patchouly

This opinion is for those who think Etro Patchouly is a retro scent. I will play here the advocate of the accused. The fact the Etro patchouli is humid, earthy and vivid does not make it a retro smell. My adoration for this bottle was not love from the first sight. Being a patchouli fan I bought it, on the spur of a moment, not really being crazy about it. And month by month I started to appreciate it. Not sure if it commenced with a lovely wine-supper-evening with my husband and refreshing the fun from the Fatal Attraction film, but that was the moment when I realized this was exactly the scent of this tension on the screen. This fatal sensuality – on one hand so deeply sexy and moving on the other dirty and bad, this embodiment of the evil affair. Is it retro then? Oh no, it is definitely not. They had this romance in 80’s but how many of this difficult relations you can see in modern times? This story is as old as the humanity, and as modern as a fresh spring leaf. So what is Patchouly Etro? On me, this is pepper, natural, dark patchouly with a ray of citrus light. When I wear it, I feel so „comfortably numb”, as would sing Pink Floyd band. The opening gives a very short breeze of noble liquer swiftly coming into green and earthy patchouli. Do you see this shady, mixed wood with a mystery hidden in it? This is pretty much about that. And later on comes a stranger whom you know you should not have an affair with but still it ends up with it. Fancy?

The consultant says "I have one more thing to show you.", sprays this on the paper and hands it to me with a dramatic flourish. The smell reaches my nose, I close my eyes, lose any semblance of poise and make a GAH noise. "Glory. Yes! Mine.", I think to myself. "It's quite unique. I like it.", I say to the consultant hoping to make up for the previous, slightly unbalanced display. But no. I want this. I desire. Must go back to try on skin. Since I can't make a pie chart, impression by strength, (though these don't work in a disjointed matter, I wouldn't say): -dry; -sharp; -smoky; -patchouli, incense; Update: went back to try on skin. My very (dubious) soul resonates with this. Impression by strength: -dry/smoky/fresh/patchouli; -fresh/smooth incense; -an overall hint of coolness reminiscent of the way it always seems cooler in rural and forest areas; -something almost .. zesty and edible in the drydown. By that time, it sit very close, but if you squish your nose against your skin, it's there. Longevity, on skin (even intentionally oiled), is mediocre, which is tragic because it's not a scent you want to go away, ever, and the silage gets very close to skin quite soon. Overall, it's a very harmonious, unified fragrance. Apart from the obvious patchouli&incense, no note jumps at me, and I can't untangle it from the others.

Classic style fragrance based on only one patchouli arrangement. This patchouli begins with strength and a certain freshness accompanied by burgundy and citrus, here the bergamot feels more strongly. Immediately installed in the scent of the patchouli floral notes of pink, geranium rather light contributing the floral hue these notes remain behind tempering the terrosity of the patchouli, while feel the woods providing some sweetness, density and body. Undoubtedly, what most seduced me is the beautiful note of amber that brings warmth, shine, rich nuances of patchouli. Curiously the point of the mint creates a very interesting balsamic aura giving enough depth and projection to the aroma. All this makes this patchouli little earthy, dry, with a slight moldy effect, floral background and very deep. It has quality and is very well done. For the negative, I would say that it lacks some projection. It's classic, yes !! But this makes this fragrance in timeless, elegant and very wearable even for daily by moderate projection. The effect of this Patchouli is undoubtedly very hippie, very seventy! I do not know why, I associate this patchouli with a summer that I spent in Ibiza. I'll keep investigating. Rating: 8

Just when you think you've smelled all the patchouli hits, another one comes along. Etro Patchouli is nothing short of perfect. An elegant, woody patchouli that is supported in the opening by bergamot and orange for a short time, before an outstanding sandalwood takes over and balances out the patch note perfectly. There's a small compliment of flirtatious mint and cypress lurking in the background with some geranium in their hair and a light touch of amber/vanilla to lend some sweetness. But apart from the dominant patch/sandalwood presence in this, for me the star is artemisia. It announces itself in the opening, lasts throughout and is one of the most well executed examples of this note I've yet experienced. So...for me, Etro Patchouli is a refined, classy, woody patch featuring primarily sandalwood and artemisia, subtly supported by a compliment of other notes (mentioned above), and has gone straight up near the top of my favorite patchouli scents. So far I've been enjoying it's presence for 6 hours, from a few little dabs, so I'd suggest that it's performance is excellent also! I see an FB in my future for sure...in fact, I'm off to eBay now!

This patchouli seems to go through few desirable phases. Firstly, it is almost dry, woody and quite aromatic, later it turns more damp, chocolate/truffle-like and earthy. Some medicinal vegetal quality appears somewhere in the background. It's quite complex for a fragrance focusing on one note. That second phase is so beautiful. This leans just a tad more masculine, but very well could be unisex.