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.

I have to agree with one review here that this is really unusual in a good way though... the opening is citrusy, then the star anise shows up after few minutes and then what I believe is the mandragore root stays, really similar to ginger smell as well. I really enjoy this fragance, it is really fresh, clean and unusual.

I found at first spray it was ginger and spearmint with a hint of black pepper. It dries down to spearmint with an hint of anise. This is the my first fragrance that I could smell mint. ItI refreshing in the 100 degree heat. When I run out of my decant I will have to chase down a full bottle.

Masterpiece in my opinion, even if there is more like than love in the smileys... Fresh and distinctive, whith a sage and mysterious aura. One of my most complimented fragrance with always the same question : "what do you wear ?"

Много красив аромат. Започва много свежо, билково-бергамотово, за да се превърне в млечен зелен крем, такова усещане ми носи и ароматът на зелена, млечна тубероза в някои парфюмни композиции.

I just got my bottle from Fragrancenet and I couldn't wait to try it. I finally understand the concept of fresh spicy, that it what I get in the top notes. Beautiful. I love it.

I love the opening- like a bracing breeze of orange zest and sea salt. I wish it lasted a bit longer though.

This perfume is amazing!!!!so fresh but whith personality. And the botlle is georgeus and very femenine.

I love to layer it with AG "vanille exquise"... Mmmmmmh! :-) LOVE from LOUVE

I've worn this a few times - including now and thought I'd wait before giving my review for it. At first, I really wasn't sure about Mandragore...as it seemed harsh without any substance. But now that I've worn it a fair bit, I've settled on my opinion of it and feel confident enough to review. First of all, I don't generally pander or allow myself to be governed by what Season a perfume is made for. For instance, many people say Womanity should be worn in Winter - I disagree and consider it more of a Summer scent. I also view Black Orchid as an "all year" scent while most would say it works best in the Fall or cooler weather :) When it comes to this one though? Summer only in my opinion. It's FRESH, and by fresh I mean straight out of your herb garden and into your refrigerator fresh. Green, Spicy, Refreshing = Mandragore. The Bergamot is the star in this Annick Goutal creation...but it's not alone. The Mint note is very prominent and compliments the Ginger absolutely perfectly. If any perfume could 'cool you down' - this would be it! The beautiful Sage, Star Anise and Iris are present, and definitely "there" - but they're very much in the background compared with the other notes I've listed. When I wear this, I think of nature - it's complex and absolutely what I'd call sophisticated, but it's also Earthy, REAL - natural. On a hot Summers day, Mandragore is what I will continue to reach for now that I've spent some time to get to know it and fall in love with it :) Projection is good - nothing enormous but it's noticed by others (usually in a good way I've found). The only thing letting this perfume down is it's longevity, which is between 90 minutes and two hours on my skin. Now, if this perfume wasn't as expensive as it is - that wouldn't even be a negative point worth mentioning...but since this *does* carry that infamous Annick Goutal price tag, it's worth noting and being aware of if you're looking to buy. Beautiful, unique scent for both women and men - one that is perfect on a hot, humid Summers day if you don't fancy smelling like the "it", safe perfume at the time. Just be aware it really doesn't last long.

I got off to a bad start with the house of Annick Goutal when I first decided to test their perfumes because I purchased samples online which may have been off. Slowly, however, with the help of some of my generous fragrant friends, including Miss K, who sent me a sample of MANDRAGORE, I have come around. I really had no clear expectations about this fragrance before testing it. I have seen it for sale in many places, especially in the square made-for-men bottle format used by this house. The color of the liquid suggested to me that this would be a heavy oriental perfume, but aside from that, I had no prior impressions, having never heard anyone say much about this creation. I see below, however, that many fine noses have already weighed in on this fragrance. MANDRAGORE opens with a bright citrus demeanor and a fairly hefty dose of spices, especially pepper. This is not, however, the bloblike expansive synthetic pepper of Marc Jacobs BANG, among other examples. The pepper here is more along the lines of Hermessence POIVRE SAMARCANDE. Upon applying this fragrance, I thought briefly of Bond no 9 WEST BROADWAY, another spicy citrus. However, in a side-by-side comparison, I find that the two compositions are very different. MANDRAGORE lacks, above all, the Bond no 9 cedarish base common to most of the masculine fragrances of that house and which dominates WEST BROADWAY and makes it more masculine than this. MANDRAGORE is more citrusy, but has poor longevity aside from a very low-level residue of spiciness, especially star anise and pepper. I do not know what boxwood is or smells like, and this fragrance does not smell very herbal to me, despite the sage listed among the notes. This is a pleasant and subtle fragrance. It would perhaps be too subtle for some, but precisely because it is so low key, MANDRAGORE seems to me a good choice for summertime. If I had a bottle, I'd use it as a cologne on hot days, in the precisely the manner in which I use Berdoues 1902 CARDAMOM, which offers a similar experience, albeit with a different spice.

I am wondering whether I wrote a review of this before and it was deleted by many negative reviews or I never actually did so, which sounds strange given that I thought of it during many months, tried to see what to say about it and sold it to a (girl) friend eventually. Now I've bought it again and the first one to be surprised was that friend of mine:"Why again? didn't you sell it cause you didn't use it?" Ok, so? That first time Mandragore came to my desire once I planned my summer and thought I wanted a fresh scent that didn't bring to mind popular sporty and lemon-centered scents. It then was logically an amazing choice since it's delicious and sort of unisex (it leans towards feminine to me but without being obviously girly). It smells different without a doubt, airy and spicy. I still believe it is a wonderful choice for guys but I got rid of it at some point and if I don't have a bad memory it was due to a mix of reasons: lack of longevity, strong bergamot that sometimes made me feel I was wearing a tea scent I didn't intend to... and something bizarre I seemingly don't conceive as being that evil lol. Mandragore is a great scent and a good alternative to add something less expected to your wardrobe for hot days. Please sample first in case you're a boy. I wear Duel and Les nuits d'hadrien far more often but enjoy greatly turning to this weirder spicy earl grey tea with anise that dries down into a talcy green tea. Be careful and don't overspray cause you may not smell it but others do and if overdone it turns into a nightmare. I like all the reviews but must congratulate Celina since hers is a piece of accuracy. I should have simply redirected to hers instead of writing this mess of a review. A last thought: get these stunning male bottles before all you'll get are the new ones, all the same and lacking any interest. Some brands decisions are simply a mistery to me. I'll miss that sensation of opening Annick Goutal scents and finding a piece of art that makes a big part of the magic. Holy mandrake!

Mandragore could be said to be in the same league as classic green scents like No 19 and Diorella, but it's an uncommon variation on the category, a disquietingly sourer but alluring reinterpretation. After all mandrake has always been notorious for its harsh smell... All the word Mandragore brings to my mind is witchcraft, and indeed this fragrance starts out quite mysterious and unusual, with an extra-bitter citrus blast. Later, it morphs into a gentler, sweeter scent especially thanks to the anise and the mint, and then it (very quickly!) develops into a very woodsy and discreet drydown. This concoction almost has a taste, a very dry and acidic one, like the love potions of medieval tales, made of herbs, roots and spices (just like Mandragore) and gathered by the witches and wizards of our legends. The otherworldliness of this scent doesn't seem to be accidental. In fact most of Mandragore’s ingredients (see celina’s great review below for the complete list) have often been subject to superstition and regarded as esoterically meaningful in many cultures. For example, I had never seen boxwood as a note in any perfume that I knew of so far, and evergreen boxwood has always been associated to immortality and used to adorn graves from as early as the times of ancient Egypt. Mandragore is bewitching, it really leaves you spellbound with its mysterious dark greenness, much darker and earthier than the greenness in more conventional, cleaner, aromatic scents. But I'm afraid this fragrance is terribly pricey for such a weak staying power and non-existent sillage! It may well cast an initial spell but then in less than two hours my edt totally vanishes into thin air, and that is not exactly the kind of magic I expected from such an intriguing gem!

1 Aug '26: smelled the decanted sample vial when it arrived. Immediately imagined a much older, incredibly beautiful butch with a sense of mystery and the erotic about her; I'm fascinated by her, I want to follow her around and listen to her tell stories about her life. Had to put the vial down as I was running out of the house, but thought about it all day. When I returned home I reopened the vial while sitting on my front stoop (the weather was just absolute perfection at a breezy, cloudy 84*F in the late evening, and I wasn't ready to go inside). This time the fragrance smelled... astringent? Sharp, a little cold. I was surprised, but applied some out of sheer curiosity. Immediately smelled the star anise, and perhaps the mint? A strong combination that feels medicinal and not entirely unpleasant, just matter-of-fact. "That makes sense", I thought, "I'm not that older hot butch yet, still a ways to go for me". But a few minutes later gentle floral notes came up in the wind, softness to cushion the sharpness of the anise/mint. By the time I made my way indoors it had settled in to replace --or perhaps perfectly balance-- the star anise. Smelled "purple", majestic and calm, maybe the iris? But still soft & now incredibly erotic. I realized too late that I needed to shower, and would therefore be washing this gorgeous scent off, but before I did my napping partner woke to declare I "smelled like the moon". Will definitely be revisiting. Don't think it's "me" for day-to-day use, but would be during witchy hours, and has a lot of erotic potential.

As per Annick Goutal site the notes are: bergamot, star anise, ginger, mandrake, black pepper, peppermint, sage, boxwood, iris, ciste roots, labdanum. This is a citrus aromatic fragrance. I expected something more exotic and woody but I discovered a perfume that I could have called "Escale a Portofino" very well. This is my olfactory imagine for Portofino. The opening is pleasantly refreshing lemony aromatic. There is a competing tone waiting in the background: mint. It will take a full hour for the last one to take the leading role. The short description could be: one hour of lemon on a minty base followed by an eternity ( well 3-4 hours, top) of mint with a lemony heart. It doesn't sound too original but the twist comes with two great choices: ginger and anise. They are not big players but combine beautifully with the main notes. The lemon feels more sophisticated and the mint less trivial. I can't stand mint in fragrances , especially because of its weird dry down that lacks freshness. However, this note was mastered wonderfully here. The end result is a well balanced, refined summer composition that is spiced up with a hint of black pepper . The woody tones are hard to describe and become more extroverted in the dry down. At this moment the fragrance grows into a warm- woody- aromatic construction with a sheer resinous- amber- earthy note: labdanum. Late in the dry down, a soapy note comes in and out: iris. I was wondering where it was...just a whisper at the end. Lovely. I could use a whole bottle... 7.8/10

Mandragore was inspired by the mandrake plant, one which is the source of folklore and legend. Mandrake root looks rather like a sage old man--twisted and knotty, similar to ginseng root. Mandrake is also a nightshade plant and reported to cause delirium and madness. It is also known as Satan's apple. Surrounding folklore considered, I had my expectations built for a fragrance with a mysterious story to tell. And so... Mandragore opens with the archetypical cologne note of strong but cheerful bergamot accented with subtle ginger and black pepper--a little bit of a nose tickler. Mint and sage are not sharp nor overt, but rather balance the opening nicely. Anise also adds a touch of sweetness, but just a little, and adds barely a scant whisper of an unfulfilled promise of something that could have been truly enigmatic. A kiss of powdery iris and a touch of musky labdanum barely hinting at an ancient healing resin, is then detectable in the drydown. Personally, I think though, that the culmination is way too subtle to warrant such a mysterious name in such a mythically colored bottle. Also, some retailers claim that mandrake powder is an ingredient used in this composition where others claim that mandrake is merely the inspiration and namesake. I feel that all the ingredients are there for a potentially outstanding fragrance, but the execution is off the mark. I feel rather crestfallen because I believe that this could have truly been a delirium inducing fragrance had it been composed in different proportions.

This fragrance opens with a strong, spicy anise note with nose-tickling pepper. There is a subtle hint of citrus which stays in the background, complementing the other notes beautifully. The ginger grounds the scent with a deep, woody richness. I find that the lack of sweetness or florals (I can't detect the iris at all) gives it a slightly masculine quality. It is almost a gourmand, with suggestions of gingerbread, but is too dry and herbal. The name "Mandragore" brings to mind a mysterious, witchy sensibility that is brought to life by the aromatic spiciness of the opening along with the herbal elements, not to mention the rich purple juice. The initial burst of fragrance reminds me of a witch's gingerbread house in a fairytale forest. However, instead of developing into a deep and complex scent, it simply fades, and quickly. The concept calls for a heady, potion-like combination of accords, but instead it disappointingly dissipates into a soft, green cologne - pleasant, but nothing special. The drydown is soft and herbal, fading very quickly into a skin scent with the fresh, green notes of mint and sage coming to the fore. The remnants of anise give it a fennel-like quality. Sillage is moderate, but longevity is weak. However, I only have an EDT of this, which might explain the lack of longevity. As with all Goutals I've sampled, the ingredients are natural and of a high quality. Nice, creative mix of notes. Magical opening: to be enjoyed while it (fleetingly) lasts. 3/5.

I love AG, I probably have 10 of their scents. I also love woody/spicy perfumes, so I had to get this. On me the opening notes are mostly licorice and spice, and a sort of minty basil thing. It's very nice but lasts all of 15 seconds. Afterward it settles down into a powdery spice. After an hour or two, you have the drydown, which is when the wood emerges,along with iris powder. The wood is pretty, but faint, and gasps along for about an hour. I am not big into sillage, and letting people 20 feet away know what I am wearing, but this perfume is extremely weak and does not last long at all, 4 hours max, and that is with a very liberal application. The ending I can barely detect. I have a bottle of the EDP, I can only imagine how quickly the EDT formulation would fade out. I think that for the retail price of this EDP, it is not worth a full bottle. I like this fragrance, but I don't love it. I do feel like a bewitched, chilling wood creature at midnight when I wear this, but only for about five minutes, because the composition fades quickly from those notes into an OK heart and base. Try before you buy to see if you absolutely love it before investing in this short lived perfume. The top notes are fabulous, but it is not worth spending $115 on 1.7 oz of perfume that works well for less than a few minutes.

Annick Goutal fragrance's are created with a unique aroma making them definitely attractive. Mandragore EDT has a AWESOME aroma which opens with bergamot and pepper. Star anise, mint and sage gives it a slightly sweet/herbal notes as well a definite citrus note. The base is made with floral notes of iris, labdanum and boxwood making it really enjoyable to wear during the summer months. Longevity is moderate and Silage is also very good. The quality of this fragrance is PHENOMENAL for those men and women who want a frag that grabs your attention this fragrance will captivate those around you. Overall thoughts, This is my first frag from this French power house, I'm certainly going to try and acquire several others which I know I won't be disappointed with. I have worn this frag at work several times and a couple of women fell in love with this fragrance and they ordered it on-line. Annick Goutal's fragrance's are created with LUXURIOUS aroma. ◆◆◆If you've never tried this fragrance, it's not your garden variety of citrus summer scent.◆◆◆◆ If want a gorgeously fragrance, this fragrance falls in that category.....in a word STUPENDOUS !! Rating this fragrance is a no brainer....a PERFECT 10

Madragore starts out like a cold blast of citrusy eau de cologne. The bergamot is prominent, and the mint does not detract from the overall citrusy smell, but rather serves to provide the effect of green coolness. The citruses subside quite quickly, and the fragrance warms as the pepper and herbal notes come into play. Iris provides a soft powderiness that persists throughout the development of the perfume. The scent ultimately settles into a gentle green aromatic, with pepper and ginger providing a bit of a spicy kick. While the cool initial blast suggested to me that this was strictly a warm weather perfume, that effect is fleeting, and the drydown is warm enough for year round use. I personally would have preferred that the citruses stayed around longer, but that is a minor criticism. All in all, Madragore is a very lovely, restrained and elegant fragrance. I see it as a perfect office scent. I can't imagine this offending anyone, but it isn't a common scent that everyone wears either. Projection is medium and longevity medium to good. Absolutely unisex.

I just wrote the following review without looking at any of the notes and I must say I dont get any of those notes on my skin... Heres my review.... Mangragore is a zesty, zingy, lemony, herbaceous scent that is perfect for an aromatherapy experience, but as a perfume? You can count me out. Dont get me wrong its a very enjoyable summer perfume that conjures up feelings of being in an herb garden with intimate company, and enjoying some fresh, unsweetened lemonade. Problem is... with all this goodness, it lasts but an hour on my skin and then whats left is a faint soapy scent, kind of like aftershave. If your in it for the experience of a pick me up scent that you just want to enjoy temporarily after a shower or for a refresher on a hot day, then go for it! Its a nice tang of a scent. But I can think of other citrus scents with better fixation than this.

A mysterious, layered scent---evolves significantly as you wear it. Made me feel like I should be readying a spell to cast by moonlight...The star anise is clear but not obtrusive, and the other spice and green notes drop into place almost one by one amongst the woods and whatever is anchoring this scent, eventually smoothing into a scent that walks a line between crisp, nearly brittle, and paradoxically rich and unctuous. It is delightfully uncommon, but very well-constructed; never random or "unfinished"-seeming. I liked it at all stages, but it is not a perfume that others are going to notice after the first 15 minutes or so, as it becomes very subtle quickly, and indeed my biggest issue with it is that, on me at least, it doesn't last. I love it, but wish it didn't need to be reapplied hourly.

Sharp, tart herbal opening. Invigorating and slightly medicinal; wakes you up! I can really smell the mint early on. As the top fizzes off it turns more green in a soapy, masculine way. Bright but with some body and warmth. Very dry and aromatic during the drydown. A really unusual fragrance and not what I'd associate with "perfume"; it's like something you'd splash on your body after a long night out and you want to wake up ready for the day. It's an update of old school citrus/herbal colognes, like 4711 or Florida Water, but it lasts quite a bit longer than either of those. Smells like my image of Greece; a white bright day, citrus groves mixed with aromatic herbs in the dry breeze. Cheerful, energetic, and a lot of fun.

Thank, God for pre-batched perfume sample packs that force me to try something I'd never normally reach for. Mandragore by name conjured for me an image of a dark witch's brew of some sort. Interestingly enough, I got only bright, fresh, natural, and uplifting on my skin. First blast came out as all citrus and settled quickly into citrus, a subtle pepper you find only when you breathe deeply, ginger, and herbs. I could not detect any flower notes although they are listed. I would gift this to my quirky, off-beat friends who dislike "perfume." Very cool choice of ingredients that works very well together. Projection= minimal Longevity= moves quickly to a skin scent on me Wear= day, spring, office-friendly, easy-to-wear

I'm with some other reviewers who say "bergamot" instead of lime- though I'd also wonder if petitgrain weren't involved. I love the anise/pepper combo- so beautifully balanced against the spearmint, and I have to say galanga rather than ginger. The overall effect is a dry one though- not in the least gourmand and only a pale sweetness. There are subtle woods in the base not listed here that cradle this beauty like a rare flower in the arms of an enchanted forest. I'm not quite settled in placing this as a "daytime" fragrance. If so, it is for a "dark", broodish day- overcast or drizzly- in spring, maybe summer. And yet I'd also be tempted to wear it in the evening of such a day to extend the mysterious mood.

I’ve got samples for Mandragore and Mandragore Pourpre, and I did some comparison test for these two perfumes. In common: the two are both natural herbal fragrances (I think most of Annick Goutal’s works are like this), smalls like cool woodland or a fresh meadow. If you’re a lover of natural scents, give it a try. The longevity of both are moderate, they do not last more than 3 hours on me in summer days. The difference: Both are good herbal scents with only slight difference, Pourpre is spicier and woodier, the original is fresher and has a more citrusy beginning. I personally prefer the original one. I think it’s good enough to enjoy both samples from them, and I won’t buy for the very high pricing.

I've tried Mandragore a few times now and I have to say it's unique. A herbal, spicy fragrance that opens with citrus then becomes all about a heart of aniseed, mint and pepper. The mint is very menthol like and darkly medicinal in it's feel. I can't help but feel this fragrance is like something from a bygone era, almost a medieval potion mashed in a pestle and mortar by an apothecary. I love the smell of star anise and the combination with mint and sage just in essence but not something I'd consider wearing on my skin also the longevity of this juice is not up to scratch for the quality I've experienced from this house in the past. An interesting fragrance this one, worth sniffing out.

I have a sample and I tried it few days ago and loved it, however it didn't seem to last very long, but I thought that I will give it another go before writing a review... So I tried again today and I still love it! Maybe even more. The opening is very lemoney (bergamot?), refreshing and aromatic and the simple, yet fragrant combination of the herbal/breezy/spicy notes really seems rather unique on me. It is very fresh and green (very slightly woody and earthy perhaps) kind of beauty, that later morphs into gently (naturally) sweet, but still aromatic soapiness. Lovely, lovely, lovely! The longevity though is really poor...a little more than an hour later and it's completely gone. :-(

I knew I had to try Mandragore when I saw it described as "a witchy kind of citrus", and I knew I had to have a full bottle as soon as I confirmed that delightful description for myself. So I have to admit I'm not sure how much of my love for this one is fueled by that idea, but I don't mind, because the fact remains that it really is very easy to go along with it. Very easy to imagine a happy, summery witch's cottage whenever I smell this lovely concoction of herbs, mild spices and citruses. It's bright at first and softer later on, but a mood lifter in any phase, a wonderful escape on those days when my own life seems dreary and far removed from that imaginary cottage.

This is probably one of the most bizarre fragrances I've ever sampled and owned. It's strange and yet captivating; a perfume that stays close to the skin and whispers its secrets. It's very green, herbal bordering on medicinal, with a side of spice. On my skin Mandragore opens with soft citrus that slides into a long bergamot note. Somewhere around the middle, a ginger and woody note comes out, overlaid with something kind of sweet (Anise? I think?) While the sillage isn't huge, the scent can linger three or four hours before finally drifting away to a pale clean scent. In my experience Mandragore is a summer scent. Warmth makes it bloom; cold makes it kind of funky.

When I first smelled this it was the most intoxicating, 10/10 scent I've ever smelled, wanted to get a full bottle immediately, but figured I should wait. (Dead of winter, at home, in a really weird place in life.) I nursed my vial, tried it a month later and found it almost repellent and alien, like it brought out something terrible on my skin. (Early spring, trying out a different birth control) And - now it smells really good on me again! I don't understand. It was a good lesson in discovering my preferences are very fluid, I guess. I've noticed I prefer this when I'm not feeling well? There's something comforting in the apocathery feeling of it.