Istanbul

Stunning. My favorite of the five perfumes I’ve tested from Gallivant. This blend reminds me of something Andy Tauer would create: a dry, exotic, resinous, spicy affair. The addition of tonka and vanilla makes it different from a Tauer creation though, and I’m happy for that balance of sweet and spicy. Cardamon is the first note I pick up, then this scent blooms without any obvious floral notes. There’s opoponax and patchouli which adds depth, and the reason this fragrance legs, leading to very good performance. Perplexingly, I don’t understand the comparisons to Musc Eau de Parfum Molinard. I tried that one yesterday and it was a scrubber. Even though Musc has a high rating, I found that it turned to urine on my skin and was way too animalic for me to get past. Istanbul and Musc could not be more different, and it makes me think that maybe my Molinard discovery box is off. In any case, I love Istanbul.

Istanbul is a lovely, polite, comforting scent. There is no awkward phase or non-harmonious note. I don’t adore it but I like it very much. On me it is sweet, dry, and aromatic. Unisex. It is well blended and the only notes I don’t perceive from the list above are the bergamot and musk. I’ve had a bottle quite a while—until tonight but I made a nice memory... there was a restaurant worker who had served at our table and complimented me on the perfume. She said she loved it so I pulled it from my purse at the end of the dinner and suggested she try it. She tested, then had such a huge smile that I told her to keep it. She asked if she could hug me. Perfume is so magical—why not make the world happier on spray at a time?

Istanbul is first and foremost a comfort fragrance for me. I don't wear it out and don't wear it when I meet people, new or old. I occasionally have scents like this that I don't want ruined by potentially bad experiences. This is my fragrance I wear when I want to be held, embraced but it just isn't possible. As people have mentioned, this is spicy and resinous and also has a beautiful vanillic aroma. It's perfect and hard to analyse without going too in depth. This doesn't need to be analysed at all. It's just perfectly comfortable. Lasts so long, too. 15 or so hours without reapplication.

Of the Gallivant perfumes I have tried this is my favourite. The initial scent is a combination of leather, smoke, spice and vanilla all mixed in together. It is not a scent for those who like to smell of fresh flowers. There is a sultryness to it though not grubby. It lasts well on my skin eventually fading to a scent that is like caramel. I find myself sniffing my wrists. This is going on my list of favourites. I could happily wear this during the day or at night but for me living in the northern hemisphere definitely a winter perfume.

This is amazing in every aspect. Smell, uniqueness, and performance are out of this world. It’s in that vein of dark, creamy, and spicy genre but completely different than all of them. Remember this, never trust negative reviews on Fragrantica because these same people leave negative reviews on fragrances that haven’t even been released on here. Buy a decant and be ready to be amazed. I sprayed the inner bend of my arm 9 hours ago and I’m still surrounded by a scent cloud. This is absolutely stunning.