Osmanthus Noble

My first ever review! I am in a privileged position to have smelled a draft of this beautiful perfume (so fun to have been able to compare the two, and follow the evolution of the finished product). The earlier version was more feminine and round, similar to an apricot-y vintage Mitsouko. The finished Osmanthus Noble is a splendidly blended scent which stands exactly between the genders, but without being sexless or androgynous in any way. I detect (in no particular order): violets, suede, osmanthus (quite toned down really), oakmoss, tobacco clear as a bell, something cool and soft like orris or iris... maybe vetiver too? It's so elegant, and old fashioned in the best way. Smells like a silent private library, and simultaneously reminds me of the thrilling 60s spy films where everyone was having adventures in dinner suits and cocktail dresses.

Osmanthus Noble, instantly put a smile on my face, as the scent profile is as of my taste. It is extremely smooth and soft leather, osmanthus scent, combined with musky and woodsy notes, subtlety spiced with warm accords of tobacco and amber, the top is just incredible, almost cherry like with red berries vibe. Sublime!

Beautiful and truly well balanced composition. The scent of highest quality suede with a touch of subtle flowers.

This perfume is worth smelling for the opening alone. It perfectly captures the mood of the Rubens painting "Samson and Delilah" referenced in the brief. The opening is opulent, Baroque, dramatic. A heavy velvet curtain in a smoke-filled theater, the moment the lights fall and the room goes silent. It's a symphonic experience. Dark, spicy, smoky, thick and velvety to the point of being almost opaque. Yet there are creature comforts hidden in the darkness - cherry tobacco and smooth suede leather. After those moments - which only lasts a few minutes - the darkness brightens and we can behold a rich osmanthus with shimmering accents of gold. In this floral phase of the opening, the perfume maintains a powerful sillage, and is effusively bright and aldehydic. The drama subsides after a few hours. The much more subdued heart is a sweet suede leather with hints of cherry, peach and saffron, which lingers pleasantly for three or four hours. In the final hours, a soft amber slowly fades to a skin scent. Of the twelve hour lifetime of this perfume, only the first three hours or so really excite me. The remaining nine are pleasant enough. But wow, those first few minutes are something else. Probably my favorite opening ever. It floors me every time I put it on.

Without looking at the notes- an immediate strong smell of dried apples or other dried fruit with a sour note, another association is fruit scented tea. If you like fruit scented tea (dry mix) you will smell like you rolled in it. I understand it should be osmanthus but it`s sort of too fruity. Then there is a light sweet leather/suede note and a light dusty/tobacco note. Absolutely no clary sage and no cardamom (crush a cardamom seed and you`ll see what it really smells like). No citrus either. Dried fruit/fruit tea mix, sweet suede with dusty tobacco. Interesting as an art piece, definitely has a wow effect, but I find it too cloying to wear it all day.