Hermessence Paprika Brasil

Applying Paprika Brasil on my hand, is like as if I just sliced open a fresh chilli pepper, and its juice full of vegetal sweetness and spiciness got on my fingers. But this initially fresh spicy scent turns drier and more fiery in no time, as if the fruit is being dried and turned into paprika. I can also smell some peppery nuance around the edges. The spices reach its peak at around 15 minutes and gradually cools down afterwards. The fragrance is then dominated by iris after about 2 hours. The iris here is gently rooty and carroty, which pairs brilliantly with the vegetal characteristics of the chilli pepper, allowing a seemingly unexpected yet seamless transition between chilli pepper and iris. Just when I thought Paprika Brasil would remain a subtly spiced powdery iris, the clove starts to emerge after about 5 hours. Its spiciness turns the fragrance into a spicy violet. I can even catch a glimpse of its meatiness. Paprika Brasil remains close to skin throughout its 9 hours longevity. I'm not familiar with brazilwood, and wasn't able to discern it from the woody base. Instead, iris plays a such important role that I tend to agree that Paprika Brasil seems to be a misleading name for this fragrance. Although there're plenty of excellent iris fragrances out there, combining iris with chilli pepper is quite unique and works surprisingly well in Paprika Brasil. The hot spices and cool iris make an interesting contrast, while both present a vegetal quality that keeps the fragrance coherent. Moreover, comparing to L'Artisan Parfumeur Piment Brûlant which is almost entirely of chilli pepper, Paprika Brasil's elegant iris drydown makes it more wearable and all the while stay interesting. I think Paprika Brasil definitely worths a try, especially to those who are interested in fragrances with a certain vegetal quality.

This tickles me—I mean, it really does tickle my senses, it has a trigeminal effect for me. The trigeminal nerve responsible for sending pain, touch and temperature sensations from your face to your brain. Here is a bit of this tingling, electric sensation, and I experience this when I smell a cut red pepper or smell and taste paprika itself. I happen to find this quite pleasant as I imagine many do. However, in large quantities of, say, capsaicin, for example, this sensation goes from tingley to spicy hot. Here, the subtle tickle I feel in Paprika Brasil enhances all else in play here, the way it seems to "refract" with the vegetal viridescence and is rendered a bit smoother by the buttery, suave orris root that is the crux of the composition. Like a number of others from Jean-Claude Ellena in the Hermessence series, this feels like a watercolor, dreamy and delightfully obscure. In its heart, there are suggestions of the reseda flower, green-spicy, verging on allium-like, with violet undertones. It feels like smooth skin, waxy petals, suggestions of fresh green peas, tangy, tart facets, that grow drier and woodier over time. There is an ever so subtle smokiness that surfaces as well, the vaguest smolder beneath the foliage and roots. Overall, it all just stops short of feeling culinary (something L'Artisan Parfumeur could not avoid, as fascinating of a concept it is) and the end result is a big love for me: a compelling creation of nuanced botany and perfume impressionism.

I managed to find a more-than-half-full 100ml bottle from a reseller and I'm so glad I did. I'd read lots of reviews of Paprika Brasil, including from editors when it first came out (all seemingly negative). There were many different opinions, but I did pick up on bits and pieces that I agree with, and many that don't match my experience. I wonder if this one just needed time to come alive versus a fresh spray from a new batch? It was love at first smell for me. Someone else noted papery flowers - a great way to describe it - over rich, spicy wood. I don't pick up much on the individual spice notes, I think they are absorbed and unified into the underlying wood for me. It's very evocative and mysterious; delicate but tough; there is something classical but fashioned in a novel way. Everything is in perfect balance and it's a one-of-a-kind fragrance to me. Some of the original reviews compare it to Dzongkha - a great scent I know well, having gifted it to my sister - but I don't smell any parallels, other than maybe in the general somber mood. It's perhaps the longest lasting of the EDTs in the line, though it's always a skin scent, as one would assume. A precision unisex scent. It might be my favorite JCE Hermessence. It's really a shame that it was discontinued; I will wear mine sparingly.

The opening is spicy, with wafts of iris threaded through the hot pepper, which gives the perfume a noticeable metallic tang almost reminiscent of certain Serge Lutens perfumes. Very soon it veers into violet candy territory, which you either love or hate (I love it), before taking a lovely sharp green edge that stops it from becoming cloying. The woods come through as a general sense of warmth, comfort and class, bringing depth and power to something that might have turned out a bit too church-lady or granny-ish. Projection and sillage are weak to medium and longevity is medium (I got about five hours out of it). Paprika Brasil is definitely Hermès to the last drop: it's chic, it's confident, it's timeless, it smells polished and expensive, and it has that purity and clarity you can't get from anyone but Ellena. Is it incredibly thought-provoking or cutting-edge? No, but it's still beautiful and unique in its own right, and almost 15 years later it still smells relevant. The work of a master never goes out of style.

Truly stunning fragrance. So very sad it was discontinued. The unexpected combination of woody cedar scent with iris smells like summer for me (the part before all the grass dries up and dies in July), when the crepe myrtles are in bloom and their scent fills the air with a soft powdery iris smell, and there are hints of cedar shaving smells drifting on the breeze. I live in a hot climate and this scent seems made for that. Despite the unexpected combination of ingredients, I don't find this an aggressive combination at all. It's very pleasant. I compared it to the newer Cedre Sambac release (cedar and jasmine) and definitely prefer this scent as more warm and comforting over CS. I plan on spinning out my big bottle for a loooong time.

Extraordinary, that opening blast of goulash and bookcases, so striking, instantly transporting me. Spicy paprika and splintered Brasil wood. Performing alchemy with these two notes to create a desirable-but-aloof urban sophisticate's dream of a daytime scent. Iris in the middle working to bridge the two perfectly and making it just perfumey enough and yes, that trace floral sweetness might be a tiny drop of the mignonette Fragrantica lists. As usual Hermès keep it clean, contemporary, unmuddled. It has beautiful clarity and simplicity. The end result is sublime. I definitely have a thing for peppery woods and this is one of the more unexpected combinations. One I had to own.

Paprika Brasil is a very unique woody-spicy unisex scent from the Hermessence line. Suitable for most occasions and seasons. Yes it`s expencive, but it`s worth the money. On my skin the longevity is great, and the sillage is moderate. This one actually last longer on my skin than Poivre Samarcande. I`m very impressed by the scents from the Hermessence line, and I think Mr. Ellena is a true genius when it comes to create unique classy fragrances. Highly recommended!

Jean-Claude Ellena Docet. Paprika Brasil is a fragrance: sensual, overwhelming, it evokes warm and tumultuous atmospheres. The magnetic power of paprika and ember-red wood, celebrating the wonder of the magical and mysterious Brazilian land, sweetened by the floral note of Iris. Undoubtedly an intense fragrance, with strong and determined characters, with a surprising olfactory evolution. Another masterpiece from the great master.

This has become my signature scent...So intriguing, warm, and unexpected. It smells like nothing I ever wore before, some people say it reminds them of A-Men, personally I don't think so, not at all. It reminds me of aa woody forest right before night falls, when humidity is returning and you can sense the smell of leaves and soil.

the dry down reminds me of the opening of misia. just a bit. i love it!!! if u ever contemplate to get this, just go and get it already. its really good. perrformance for an edt is above average. one of the best hermessence, scent and performance wise. and if somehow u still have doubts, id say just believe in the work of a master.

I caught myself thinking this smells unfinished, but it’s a gorgeous papery iris with some spice, greenness and woods. What else should there be? Lasts longer than you would think maybe the fact its discontinued adds to the overall appeal. But its also a very unique iris that works year round in my climate.

This fragrance was amazing, I was afraid of the paprika note, but it is made masterfuly, the opening it this dry, spicy, dried paprika note, but not foody, or overpowering, then it is like a watery, green, authentic iris fragrances with a hint of spice, wearable, yet interesting

The name is rather deceptive; I imagined something quite spicy and heated given the red colour and paprika in the name. This sharp spicy opening is short lived. However it's a rather soft, smooth and tender iris forward scent. Reminiscent of Ellena's classic style. I love it

Smells nice. A great second after Poivre. Similar to it but Paprika has more pepper and includes Iris. For this price Id rather choose Poivre Sarmaconde since its amazing. Just get A*Men A taste of fragrance since its similar just more darker and not expensive.

So damn good. I don't understand how someone can dislike this. It is the height of modern sophistication. Completely unisex

I love this smell.. one of my favorites from hermessence line

'Paprika Brasil' begins with a demure paprika and pimento accord, which is punctuated lightly with clove. The pepper is softened and muted here, seemingly blunted from becoming too spicy or irritative. Its typical piquant qualities have been toned down as if being diluted by brush strokes in a watercolor painting. A beautiful vegetal accord follows, carrying with it hints of green bell pepper and freshly snipped English ivy. Floral, powdery iris enters next offering a delicate counterpoint to the bolder paprika of the top notes. The grey, powdery tonalities with which the iris conveys act to temper the peppery facets as well as add lightness to what could have become an otherwise heavy and dense composition. Mignonette flower further adds buoyancy with its highly fragrant scent. The sweet, ambrosial odor is a much needed respite from the proceeding savory notes. Finally, the composition comes to rest on an assured linear, woody accord which is both as comforting as it is satisfying. A true unisex fragrance, 'Paprika Brasil' can clearly be worn and appreciated by both men and woman alike. The fragrance is an enigma in that the fiery temperament of the pepper has been so well blended with soft florals and woods as to become nearly unrecognizable. It is a true olfactory delight. 'Paprika Brasil' seems fitted for year round wearing, with my own personal preference to wear during the cooler days of spring and autumn. The projection, silage and longevity for this "eau de toilette" are light to average with fragrance becoming a skin scent soon after application. I wear it as a treat to myself, capturing glimpses of its unique beauty and artistry via whiffs throughout the day. One of my personal favorites from the Hermessence collection.

Hermessence Paprika Brasil Hermès Paprika Brasil is really reminiscent the Misia (EDT) on my skin as the way the powdery woody floral with Rosy undertone along with violet. However, their is slight difference element contributing to the scent be the spicy top, really reminiscence of mild paprika. The spicy effect tame down very fast. Melting with violet and iris, becomes more like unisex powdery scent. I think the secret here is lying in rosewood / woody element that create this beautiful effect. As Iris x Spiciness x Rosewood. It is very beautiful. It is kinda soft wood. I have never meet this effect before, maybe in L’iris in Santa Maria if I remember correctly. Slight modern composition; in line with Hermessense. This could be counterpart of the pepper scent from the same line. Shouldn’t miss if you are fan of spicy scent. I think, it is miss-judge and unfairly discontinued. As fragrance collectors, this provide one of most unique composition by JCE, this is very innovative. 8/10

I've tried several from the Hermessence collection and this one is one of my favorite ones. It has Jean-Claude Ellena's watercolor and dreamy style. In the Hermessence collection, the idea was to create olfactory poems. And I think the scent in this fragrance is poetic. The fragrance concept was Brazilian wood, and Ellena's interpretation of the tat is a spicy iris scent. The scent is very delicate and refined. The top notes are hot spices and to me, both the iris and the violet play equal roles in the heart, creating a harmonious balance. The base is woody and green, giving it a clean, and a bit soapy vibe. The violet adds a slightly leathery and watery feel. The dry down has a powdery and earthy undertone. Overall, this is a unique iris fragrance. I think this fragrance would be a great option for an artistic person or someone who likes poems and literature. I truly enjoy this one. 8.5/10

Strong paprika / red pepper opening, with bright green-smelling, springy, rooty, powdery, floury iris. The spice and iris pairing is odd but interesting, and the spice is not too sweaty like pepper and paprika can sometimes be. It's more diffusive, white iris and wood as it progresses, less spice, though really mostly iris - beautiful iris - and not like the iris from ukiyoe - it's colder, clearer and more austere. I feel like this stage until the end does remind me of a refined older woman with good taste, creating a bit of a stylistic disjoin with the opening. It is beautiful though, and I find myself liking it despite dry, green iris fragrances being the opposite of my usual scent preferences. The sillage and longevity are better than usual for a Hermessence