Petroleum

Petroleum is pretty bizarre indeed being entirely built and conceived on juxtapositions. Resinous and intense but at the same time sort of fresh and "ozonic", deep and obscure but surrounded by aldehydic notes, dark and animalic yet "clear" and somehow light. All the elements are handled in an almost "unseen" way. The oud/rose combo is nowhere similimar or somehow close to any of the previous interpretations of the accord, It's amphasized in its woody freshness avoiding the burnt-sugar and medicinal effect. Rose is detectable but masterfully blended with the rest. Deepness is provided by a consistent dose of resinous notes while civet juxtaposed to aldehydes and ozonic hints gives birth to a destabilizing and pleasantly dissonant accord during the musky/ambery drydown. The base. This is the real point of strength of Petroleum. Petroleum is not just wearable, is extremely wearable and a true standout. The fragrance has a nice projection but it never become overwhelming or claustrophobic. It has a remarkable presence but, fortunately, is not overpowering as I expected. Lately I've noticed a mineral quality to it that adds even more complexity. Surely a winner for me and among the best releases of the year but I believe this is going to be a polarizing fragrance because of its ozonic undertones which, together with aldehydes, create a bizarre juxtaposition with the rest. Paradoxically there's no challenging power coming from the supposed petrol note (which is definitely more mineral/natural smelling than the gasoline-like accord of, let's say, Fahrenheit, Nostalgia or even Knize Ten). The ozonic aspect, instead, adds a slightly weird and destabilizing nuance that may result off-putting to someone. IMO it perfectly blends with the rest adding a compelling, sort of off-centre, aspect. Overall Petroleum has a very distinctive character and, just like many of the HDP compositions, it perfectly achieves an incredible balance between traditional perfumery and modernity. Full bodied but somehow weightless. Rating: 8.5/10

I think the note lineup sums this one up pretty well. And in order too! So to me, this is one of those deals where the scent trail is fantastic - but don't go sticking your nose right up to your arm! That's when the musk and aldehydes attack. If I were female and I purchased this due to its "unisex" label, id be one pissed off lady! In my opinion, I would feel very awkward about this being worn on a woman - but that's just my opinion. At any rate - it kind of reminds me of a smell you'd encounter before having surgery - something that is memorable and not for the faint of heart. I'm going to give this a few tries before giving my final thoughts (I know you guys are so disappointed :) - however, I can say for certain that it's far from love at first sniff for me. And just while I'm still here thinking about things - and this isn't going to make sense - think about the smell of cloves. There's something in this similar to that - very polarizing. Ok second edit... Promise I'm done after this. To me, this is a more intense version of musc ravageur - but instead of cloves, aldehydes. Make sense? No? Good. Me either. Final decision! I've had some time to feel this one out. At first spray I thought, "what in the hell have I done?" Now I'm thinking -"you're the man bro. Keep making good decisions." I definitely feel the petroleum vibe here. It has a mechanic shop type dirtiness to it - with some vanilla thrown in. I can see this as being a sexy scent given the appropriate environment. It had the potency of interlude man and musc ravageur, but a vastly different scent from both. I don't think this is a smell that someone would feel indifferent about - one side or the other. Choose the right side! Great addition to my collection. 7/10

This is one of the strangest and most nostalgic things I've ever smelled in my entire life. It actually makes me quite emotional. My fathers dirty toolbox, his worn in newly washed working clothes that still smell of oil, leather, burnt tires and sweet salty sea air. The scent remind me so much of my father. I remember riding at the back of his working bike through the culverts of the hospital in the town where I grew up. I was about six years old back then. He worked at the hospital keeping big machines running, the only thing I really saw from his job was when he took an hour off to follow me to the dentist. And he smelled clean but strongly of oil and zingy metal. When he got off work he spent a lot of time fixing cars and street racing, that's my second big connection to this perfume. The leather smells just like the sunken in car seats with four point seat belts, and it's combined with a soft burnt rubber scent, almost sweet. All of these cold, dirty, harsh notes are combined with warming skin like notes which balances it all up, but also something incredibly ozonic and aldehydic, especially at the opening. If I didn't know better I would almost call it "cucumber-y" or "melon-y". Just a huge blast of aquatic, sweet, sharp cleanliness which I really don't like, but it excites me so much that I can't help smelling it over and over again. It makes the scent completely transparent. So so so strange.

And just like that, I found my favorite scent in the HdP line. I like just about everything about this. It's certainly strange but devilishly addicting. Theres a bit of pissy civet, but the opening is mostly an incredibly convincing gasoline accord with all the unpleasant aspects removed and replaced by wearable and accessible "perfumey" notes. The result is a fascinating contrast between the classic smoothness of the amber and patchouli with the scintillatingly terpenic qualities of the oud/leather/borderline-ozonic fumes overhead. Pretty striking and modern from a line that has smelled a bit more "classic" to me (ambre 114, 1740). As it dries down it gets much more traditional with the patchouli and amber taking dominance with a bit of leathery, oudy nuance but theres still a nice weird little hint of civet floating around keeping it interesting. It's all very smooth and soft on the nose despite the strangeness and I think that's why it is such a success. It doesn't smell cacophonous or sloppy in the slightest; Ghislain is incredibly skilled. 9/10

The Civetta accord comes across as almost bready and edible, not sure how to describe it. Might be the patchouli and the leathery musk combo, so in harmony as to propose something dark, almost petrol like but with a classy vibe never in your face like in the case of Dior Fahrenheit. It's more resinous than oud smelling so to speak. I am not sure, the oud is front and center for a short time in the beginning but it settles down into a mellow leathery smoky accord. Reminds me of Ursa from Tiziana Terenzi but with lighter accords of lesser patchouli and more ethereal tones. All in all a mighty naughty perfume, I'm sure before IFRA restrictions this must've been the real deal. Btw - where the heck are the aldehydes? lol

Pardon my bawdiness, but this fragrance is simply the most arousing smell I've ever experienced. I've never been so turned-on by a fragrance in my entire life....Afraid of purchasing such a heftily priced bottle, I opted for a tiny tester from LuckyScent...and one smear across my arm from a cue-tip completely wrapped my in warmth, manliness, and spice. I definitely smell a petroleum-type note from this, and it makes me think of worn out leather gloves, sawdust, and gasoline...but in the sexiest way possible. This scent is so warm and enveloping, strong without being deadly, and absolutely beautifully crafted. I can't wait until I have a good enough paycheck to afford the plunge of buying this masterpiece.

Petroleum is a very well made fragrance with complicated notes combination. It opened quite sharp, very warm and dry to my nose with distinctive scent of Oud and petroleum. As the fragrance got a bit warmer on my skin, it smelled sort of metallic mixed with petroleum and a soft leathery, ambery, resinous and earthy background. The scent became quite animalic as it developed further on my skin till the drydown. A faint floral note started to appear then intertwining with musky, bodily, warm and slightly aquatic notes and the scent remained the same to the very drydown until it became a soft skin scent. Petroleum has average sillage on my cooler than average skin and lasts for over 10 hours.

A great oud fragrance. Opens with a classical oud/rose combo (oud-forward and quite strong), supported by aldehydes (giving overall the "oily" feeling). Shortly after, it settles down to a leathery/animalic patchouli. In the drydown, it becomes a skin scent, with a classic vanillic amber. A hit in this Rare Collection. Given my tastes for bold and creative fragrances, my preference goes to Ambrarem, but still, this one is a close runner-up. Fall/Winter evenings, 30+ Edit: I may opt for Petroleum after all...

stunnuing perfume, its written on the pack that its composed of rose, oud and amber. you may think that this combo is very heavy according to the notes but actually its the contrary. its delightful and very sensual, also very odd but in an excellent way. oud is very light and not too sweet,very long lasting (on my perfume consuming skin). excellent.

Petroleum's accord of oil, soil, wood and fur is both intoxicating and wrong. It is its wrongness that makes it one of my favourites in the excellent HdP line. The stuff is raw, gassy, earthy, smelly, and wonderfully wearable, and I love it. *****

Lovers of traditional French perfume is not approaching this masterpiece they will not like This is a wonderful and very distinctive perfume Rating: 9/10

i have 3 words for histoires petroleum: yaba daba doooooo! 9/10

A quite musky, slighly animalic leather scent. The rose and oud are quite toned down, so it never really gets too loud. I own a bottle of Ambrarem and bought a sample of this, thinking that it would be more harsh. However, I think that this is actually more wearable in comparison. I would even call it gentle and soothing. Think of Tom Ford's Oud Wood, but a more animalic version of it that also has patchouli and a slight soapiness due to the rose and aldehydes. It's really well blended and you can pick up all of the notes included. It does pass along the scent of petroleum but at the same time it's just sweet enough (thanks to the rose) to not smell too industrial. I now wish I actually went with a full bottle of this instead of Ambrarem. Oh well, that's the risks you have to take when blind buying.

Initially tried out in their flagship store, and among their others found it a bit weird and addictive even though I knew I 'liked' a few others moreso. Trying to test it blind among others from the house was pointless and recognized it's animalistic oily oud weirdness immediately. The title is fitting, and growing up in a garage with the constant air of gas, oil, parts cleaner, etc. I can only wish it had a more mature sense as this does. Maybe I like it because of this nostalgic element, but who cares. Looking at the notes, the animalistic quality is the immediately in your face followed swiftly by the oudy mineral quality that gives the scent it's name. Definitely one to try before you buy, unless it's gothic industrial night and your wearing more metal than black lace.

Quite unique, however I don't smell anything dirty or petroleum at all. The opening is sharp, definite oud, but a soft oud. The dry down is a warm powdery aquatic. There's a presence of something ozonic and floral and a dark musky spice. This is what I don't get - the animalic. This is a tame fragrance that has some feminine characteristics. Actually, it's reminiscent of Chanel Chance. I know, sounds nuts, but it does. For the price, the silage is disappointing. Overall, I'd say this is interesting, in a good way. Trendy, young, unisex (more on the feminine side). Definitely not a blind purchase. Get a sample first.

This is easily the most wild scent from the house of HDP. It smells like raw crude oil, not the processed and clean stuff you put in your car. I'll try to paint the picture. Imagine motor oil and grease. Now add horse manure, stinky cheese, and dirt. It's really unique, but it stinks to high hell to the average person. Borderline unwearable, and only for daring niche connoisseurs. If you like things along the lines of Dusita Oudh Infini which is a civet bomb, or perhaps Dior Leather Oud, you'll appreciate it. ×××××××××××××××××××××× Scent 70/100 (challenging) Performance 70/100 ××××××××××××××××××××××

What i like about Histoire de Parfums is there uniqueness. No one does what they do. Thumb up for that. Is it wearable, or sexy i am not sure. But for sure it is an olfactive experience and Petroleum is 100% in that spirit. What i get is something that smell like a vaseline that would have been made for the aristocrats and could have been named Vaseline no.9. Another thumb up for the experience. A must try.

Perfumes like Petroleum are lovable because they remind us of people. They remind us of candid moments in our lives, of ourselves as people who do, who act, and not, as many conventionally pretty perfumes do, of ourselves on our best behavior, all dolled up and prepared to meet the faces that we meet. And yes, it smells just like gasoline.

A quite refined animalic amber on my skin - the petrol scent from oud is not overpowering, but definitely present. Not as lovely as ambrarem, but definitely in the same vein - probably easier to find in the states as well. Together all of the notes create a sort of 'russian leather' accord - dark and tea-like. 8/10.

8)Wha, It's very original, a combination of mineral smell, saline (water) with the balmy sweetness of an animalic oud and spicy rose. The best one of the trilogy It's possible to find a similar perfum almost and from the same perfumer for half of the price: Dubai , Scent of Departure (less oud more rose)