Patchouly Rosso

This is a dry woody patchouli. The cedar really is the star of the show. Cedar and patch. Woody and herbal. A bit camphorous in the opening.

High grade natural patchouli paired with cedar. From a perfume company whose past is historic, from a plant that is suffused with mysticism, and from natural botanicals that are rare and expensive. In Hindustan, the word "pacholi" means "to scent". A member of the mint family, this leafy perennial herb, was a necessity on the Silk Road. For centuries its leaves were layered in silk to repel insects during transit. The smell became synonymous for the most luxurious material in the world. Used in alternative medicine, ascribed spiritual and mystical attributes, patchouli is legend. I love genuine natural patchouli. My favorite perfume was Caswell Massey's Aura of Patchouli. Now discontinued, and pointless to seek due to breakdown complications in the formula. Probably the cause of its demise. I've been trying to find a straightforward patch that typifies the scent's mysterious elements without becoming a cheap artificial parody of the 60's hippie oils. i Profumi di Firenze is a perfume house resurrected after recipe's for Catherine de Medici's secret perfume formulas were discovered by perfumer, Dr. di Massimo. Found inside Renaissance manuscripts in a cellar. He recreated these ancient 16th century fragrances using only all natural ingredients gleaned by exclusive methods of botanical essence extraction. Hand-blended in small batches. The same raw ingredients used during the Renaissance, with the same challenges. Natural perfumes don't have the endurance of synthetics, hence the waning of PR's intensity. The opening of Patchouly Rosso is pure bliss. For the first 15 minutes the air is filled with perfume wizardry! Strong, powerful, woody, earthy, herbacious. The red patch used has a fresh camphorous-medicinal aspect. Blended with rough hewn cedar, the scent is magical. A hint of pepper and Ethiopian myrrh boosts the resinous quality of each. Unfortunately, as is the case with naturals, the power fades, and transitions from the perfume of shamans, to a more sedate sachet-like patch. It lasted overnight on my skin, faintly rising like the aftermath of a dream. Still beautiful, but a revenant of its forceful birth. For me, its incredible aroma saturated with the profusion of nature's subtle distinctions makes up for it. I can always reapply . . . and douse my hair . . . and spray my clothes . . . and . . .

It's patchouli alright. It starts out like something to be reckoned with. How it opens is not a symptom of what it eventually becomes. Patchouly Rosso is ultimately for people that like their patchouli to not have any tricks up its sleeve. The blend shows a telltale combination of woods/pepper with an uncanny earthiness. On one hand, it is elegant on the account of its prominent woods. Then on the other hand, I believe the glamour is shown as you reach the rustic part of the fragrance. This perfume is made for people that want to enjoy the bushy herb within the comfort of their own atmosphere. Sillage savage this is not and for that reason, this is not a keeper in my book.

Sharp woodsy patch, very coniferous, the cedar is at such good quality I actually enjoy it here. (usually cedar is a lot more pungent to my nose, in this case it is the nice kind of woody, like a freshly cut piece of wood.) Patch is beautiful and true. Unisex, but leans masculine. Really enjoying it! Agree with one of the reviews below, there is a little something camphorous about this one. ** 12 profumi firenze sample pack up for swap - UK only - pm me **

If you love patchouli and appreciate the Italian refinement in perfume, you will enjoy this Patchouly Rosso! I have sadly had to accept that either I am anosmic to its charms or I feel as though I smell worse than the oldest hippie on earth. Lucky you if patchouli embraces you with its earthy delights and this version will not disappoint.