Mandragore

This review is based on Eau de Toilette concentration. The initial blast of Mandragore contains a lot of bergamot, very refreshing and energetic. The citrus soon hides away as a supporting role and reveals a combination of anise, mint and ginger. It's green, fresh, reviving, zesty and sparkling. I was overwhelmed by this phase as this combination of spices which is usually thick, actually delivers such an unusually translucent scent. However, this phase doesn't hold up very long and it soon was taken over by a spicy and earthy scent. The spices are still the same as above, but no longer freshly picked. They're dried and their ultimate spiciness are sublimed. Interestingly the fragrance remains ethereal even at this stage. Unfortunately, Mandragore turns bland and watery afterwards, and loses its vivacity and strength. It was soft at the beginning and now it stays extremely close to skin. It dies after about 4 or 5 hours on me, which is weak among those I tried from Annick Goutal. Mandragore, in contrary to the prune bottle and the mysterious name, is actually green to my nose. I appreciate the aromatic and spicy stages towards the beginning very much. However, these interesting stages doesn't last long (about 1 hour) and the fragrance itself either, which implies frequent reapplication to me. I'm curious if EDP would suit me better. Nontheless, this should not hold you back from trying it. This green aromatic fragrance, lasting or not, has a very interesting twist that can hardly be described, but to be experienced by oneself.

I am somewhat biased toward Annick Goutal fragrances, but I waited a while before trying Mandragore. Why did I wait? One reason: Anise. I really like star anise in my tea in the autumn, and I put some in the stock pot when making chicken stock, but otherwise I really don't like the scent of anise on my skin. It's far too foodic, and doesn't alter much from itself the way that other spices do, such as cardamon or caraway. BUT, then, I gave it a try. Again, I'm amazed at what Annick Goutal can do. They've managed to take pepper and anise and marry them in a dry, linear couplet that is as natural as pepper and salt. It's a really miraculous scent, at so many turns spicy, warm, cool, firey, even slightly aquatic. The opening is a fantastic pepper & lime blast, followed by the entrance of star anise with a fizzy top of mint, and ending with a warmer anise and slight bit of cypress. The only complaint I have is that the scent stays very close to the skin, and is a very light. Of course many of Annick Goutal's fragrances are light (it seems to be part of the general ambiance of the house,) so it requires quite a few sprays to really get the full effect of the fragrance. In spite of that, it's an incredible creation: Proof that a note that you formerly didn't love can transform into something wonderful.

"Neither the poppy, nor the mandrake, nor all the narcotic syrups in the world will medically give you back that sweet dream you had yesterday." William Shakespeare, Othello (1604), III, 3 Mandragore is a magical interpretation of the mandrake, a mysterious plant surrounded by legends. Used since ancient times in magical and medicinal rituals by sorcerers and witches. This fascinating fragrance opens explosively, fresh and bright. Aromatic and spicy. The florality of bergamot gives way to a herbal heart with minty freshness, small hints of citrus and gently camphor. Followed by the warmth provided by the star anise and something powdery that the iris provides to the entire beautiful composition. As the hours go by it becomes slightly woody and gently drier with a delicate clean smell, blending beautifully into my skin and enveloping me in an aura of neatness. The substantivity on my skin reaches 12 hours, and even I still smell it the next day on my skin, with moderate diffusion. I'm trying to judge if Mandragore is retro and I'll say no. It is classic, in the best traditions of cologne fragrances, completely unisex. Apparently simple composition, but very refined. Goutal knows how to make perfumes in which nature does not smell of farm, but of luxury.

I've had my bottle of this for 10 or 11 years, and I can actually remember the time I bought it. It's unfortunate, because I've actually boxed this up, and transported this perfume more times than I've worn it, which is a pity. It was one of my first obscure mainstream-niche brands I sampled, and this was a love at first sniff. And I'm glad to see that I love this today just as much as I did when I first bought it way back when. I am immediately enveloped by a non-biting black-pepper and aniseed -- the citrus does effectively balance the two pungent spicy notes, but there is something else in the background that I cannot discern that carries this scent forward. Something kind of woody, kind of resiney, I really cannot pick what it is! Whatever it is, I am a big fan of the role this plays in the scent because it ties the 3 aforementioned notes together and makes the scent really pop. It just comes together, I feel, and if I'm being honest, I feel this is unique enough to appeal to people looking for oddball scents, but at the same time it's not an alienating scent. Definitely one to try. I love this one as much as I did in 2014...

This is THE hot weather fragrance for me. The note I get far and away the strongest is bergamot, which I love dearly. The other notes exist simply to support the bergamot to me, even the star anise and pepper. This combination gives it the effect of a long lasting (relatively speaking) freshie, since I get a decent few hours out of it on skin and more on clothes. There is no musk or vanilla in the drydown, so it maintains its herbaceousness all the way through until it's gone completely. In some ways it feels like a tea fragrance, but there's no sweetness or creaminess. It's old-fashioned in a way but also minimal and modern. It's perfectly unisex and impossible to label, it's just ✨Mandragore✨. This fragrance is too precious to me to be spritzing like a body mist but it serves that function, as a refresher when I'm feeling a little wilted. This is the only fragrance in my collection that I have actually managed to finish (only took 15 years 😅) but luckily I was able to snag a backup for a reasonable price.

First, I must admit to loving Goutal fragrances. Annick had such a brilliant way of blending notes that one wouldn't think would blend well, but they always did. She was a master! Mandragore is a bewitching (literally!) concoction that is everything you could wish for in a fresh, licorice-y, herbal delight! Longevity is brilliant (I can still faintly detect it after 24 hours) as is sillage (at least arms-length). It's typically French and so very unique. It's not just a mere citrus bomb. The star anise, ginger, and pepper give the citrus it a spicy kick while never overwhelming the other notes. The mint cools this brew down. Boxwood is such an unusual addition and along with Iris and labdanum, you have nirvana. I'm convinced there are more notes than are listed but therein lies the magic. Don't hesitate to experience this one! Literally every time I wear it, I'm complimented and questioned. I can't blame them, it's magnificently enigmatic.

Bergamot, mint and pepper, full on. The star anise pops in and out, and the ginger is a steady underlying note. Wow the pepper. I'm glad I love it, because on me it's the star, with the citrus and mint there to harmonize and smooth out some of the bite. The flowers come out in time to round things out just a bit more, soft velvety notes. This is my kind of scent - spicy, woody, green bitter citrus and herbs. I think this one would be suitable for any time of day or year - it's more about mood than climate. It does remind me a little of Roma, another favorite, as they're both bergamot and mint based and spicy. To me, the difference is that Roma is a balsamic, mediterranean citrus, terra-cotta-baked earthy, spicy scent and this is a more cloaked, pungent herbal, oriental incense-powdery, darkly woody scent. I only wish it had the same amazing longevity as Roma, this seems to fade kind of fast on my skin.

Very realistic mint and anise fragrance with a bergamot opening. Evoking a lush dark green forest. Of the other notes listed I only really get black pepper and a powdery iris - both more prominent as it dries. This is my first Annick Goutal and I'm a fan of this herbal brew. My partner says he would wear it too, so certifiably unisex. The greenes of the mint and the star anise give it a green vegatable fennel tone. As it dries the spice blend takes the lead with just a hint of sweetness. This balencing act between the cold mint and warm anise+spice is what makes this unique, mysterious and a little mystical. By late drydown the mint has burned off, and the black pepper note reminds me of Cartier Declaration. All in all a very natural smelling spicy aromatic with a great name and concept behind it. Would give 5 stars if it was lasted longer. ⛤⛤⛤⛤

I don't think this is as green/fresh and summery as most reviews here seem to describe. To me this is warm orange pekoe tea stirred with a black licorice stick. This is orange first, anise second and ginger and pepper last. While (very) mildly spicy, it is light and transparent. Because of this, this is good for layering with a stronger, spicier scent (this pairs well with Tom Ford Noir and Tuscan Leather). When worn alone, I agree with everyone that the projection and longevity is on the weak side. But it is very natural smelling, and it gives off an expensive aura. On a masculine/feminine scale, this tips slightly more masculine to me. Bottom line, a very nice, high quality fragrance. I blind bought on eBay for a crazy cheap price and couldn't be happier with it. Thumbs way way up.

When i was a child I played the violin. For some reason the scent of Mandragore takes me back to my old music room at school with its view of the ancient forest across the field with trees clothed in seemingly eternal autumnal leaves. I am reminded of the smells as I opened my old violin case and the wood of the violin and the dusty block of amber that I coated my horse hair bow with. There are no amber or woody notes in the perfume and yet it smells like my old violin case. I love Mandrgore (and also Mandragore Poupre) very much. It is a very natural yet magical scent and is the perfect autumnal/ winter fragrance for me. It is slightly melancholic, like the notes released into the autumn air from an old violin in the tender hands of an introverted child.

Heavens this is delightful. Curiously my first thought was of the sherbet dib dabs of my childhood. I love the fresh bergamot opening. It is fresh yet sweet with no harshness. The anise is present but not very strong. I definitely get a minty freshness. The pepper and ginger are low key but add that necessary accent and carry through to the end. I can't make out the boxwood or iris. This is a very well blended fragrance. My bottle is the square frosted finish one for men. This is most definitely unisex. Its a delicious citrus/herbal delight. Very easy to wear. My only gripe is that it doesn't last long and retracts to a skin scent in no time at all. I will forgive it though because I love it so. I didn't mean to rhythm lol

i've had my bottle for 10 years and the top notes of lime and pepper are still vibrant while the sage, box and ginger are the grounding notes from the beginning. coolness of the mint hovers in the background. i do get a light scent of 5 spice which was much stronger when the bottle was new, and i prefer this milder version of that note.before moving to a cool wet place, i used to wear this in hot desert summers because the cool mint and hot spice open up in heat and produce an interesting prismatic effect. over the years, it has mellowed to become a skin scent, quite easy to wear anywhere. the batch code says that it should be good through january 2018. nearly 2 yrs post it is still a delight.

I just got a bottle of this and I loooooove it. I am, generally speaking, a big lover of Annick Goutal perfumes and this one is probably top of my list. I find all her creations very romantic and this one is also reminescent of some fairytale/dreamy like atmosphere, it transports me to a world of revery where I imagine diaphane, delicate like , feminine creatures dressed in silk, traversing a wood, feeling the moss under their feet, a wood where it smells so fresh and earthy, where the rays of sunshine barely penetrate through the trees but the light is so gentle and soft. I get a lot of comfort from this scent, I find it mysterious, sensual, strong. Pitty it doesn't last too long...

Itś energizing and earthy at the same time. The bergamot resembles verbena here, with the pepper added. Itś spicy, but not heavy at all, itś very "thin" like other Annick Goutal fragrances. I could not detect the mint or star anise individually. Itś very natural and makes me think of soil, roots, and dry and fresh leaves, too. I absolutely love this perfume, I had promised myself to buy it, finally having found a light, zingy, and seriously keen and piquant cologne to use in the very hot climate here, but, like all other Annick Goutal creations, it disappears so very quickly. I tested the EDP an it did last just a tiny bit longer than other Annick Goutalś I have tested in the past.

Gin and tonic! For me there is a wonderful blast of anice and mint at the beggining and even if I consider this more to be a masculine kind of scent I find this extremelly alluring, refreshing and mouthwatering (damn me, gin&tonic lover). It's very unique and I haven't seen anything like this before. I don't think one needs "guts" or anything to wear this in public, because this is very wearable scent, perfect for hot summer days in a garden party with cocktails and music. Very, very addictive. I think everyone should give a try to this one, because this is absolutely lovely.

Steampunk fragrance! You might not get dressed like the one, but your attitude should be that kind of thing - of Helena Bonham Carter - half victorian witch, half guest from the future. Also on me its a predominantly sage and anis scent, - dark mysterious, very very dry, dusty, like a totally burned by sun hay on the fields. And you waking up in a haystack with grass-blades in your hair. It might be pure luck, but I don't have difficulties with longevity of Mandragore whatsoever. Big love for originality.

Blind bought this one day and it was so good it got me hooked on blind buying I just had to put my wallet in jail bc this scent had me trying to recreate the high of guessing a scent would be your favorite without ever smelling it. This and Nuit etoilee tbh. Every time I smell this it reaches somewhere so deep within just wow. It lasts forever on me too so I don’t suffer what some of u have. Ian bellow me is correct the compliments will flow all the women I know die for this

This is 10000% a magic potion! On first spray I get spicy liquorice and ginger beer—it's distinctly fizzy. The dry down is super bittersweet and reminds me a lot of Amaro Montenegro. Notes that I get throughout the wear: candied ginger, melted black liquorice, something green and herbal, pepper, and citrus rind. Not for me, but would recommend to an Etsy witch!

I love it, even if it's quite light (four "pshitt" a day). This one is perfect for summer, and smells very fresh and natural.Few notes, but perfect and real notes: bergamot, mint,star anise,ginger, mandragore... Mandragore is a nice unusual scent: it changes from talkative fragrances that have finally nothing to say! Men's bootle is beautifull... 9/10

Mandragore by Annick Goutal is what I imagine India smells like. It is spicy and the anise, pepper and ginger make this fragrance very exotic. On my way to work all I could say to myself was, "I smell sooooo good. This is going to be on top of my list for sure. The Miami heat gives it more projection and makes it even MORE exotic.