Bangla Yasaman

As Mrs. Robinson said (and was sampled in George Michael's 1992 hit 'Too Funky'): "Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" I would be lying if I said I was searching high and low for exactly this kind of jasmine, because I didn't know this kind of jasmine could exist. But it does, and leave it to the genius of an independent perfumer with the freedom to explore new frontiers for our great King of Flowers. Isabelle Larignon allows the intoxicating nature of jasmine to reach its full intoxicating potential, lets it run the gamut between feral wee and green pearls tea, and gives the nose a headspace home run, all without actually incorporating natural jasmine absolutes. Think of Bangla Yasaman as a seductive holograph of this rakish, white-petaled gay dog (old slang, look it up!) of a flower. Other naturals play their part, with the eyebrow raising use of buchu, the most hormonal plant: blackcurrant, sharp mint, ammoniac, dangerously sharp. It's one that perfumers must dilute to effectively use, but it really does make a mark, if you will. The sensuality is really under way as citrus and spice ease into a celery seeds, the sensation of warm, aroused bodies and heavy, excited indole. The illusion of jasmine is in full force, along with enough tea to drink and loose leaf to put in one's pipe and smoke it. There's even a bit of daffy daffodil yellow flower action in the mix. It's sexy but poised, which is no small feat, so I do tip my hat. It takes some savvy to balance brassy with classy, and this is a TKO.

a bit pissy at first, but it goes away very quickly, on the spray you get a spicy, citrusy white tea with pretty herbal white flowers, and on the dry down you get a really nice, very pleasing and soft jasmine with cardamom, the spices calm down over time and it gets softer and smoother after a while on the dry down, an earthiness starts to come out, with an animalic funk and smoky, tobacco-y aspects, which is really interesting, reminds me of the animalic complexities in Marlou's fragrances, it brings a really seductive and sexy vibe to this, probably an insane spring/summer date fragrance :) it's actually pretty accurate to a freshly brewed jasmine pearl tea, which is one of my favorite teas, jasmine in general tends to be my favorite tea to the point where I always have a box in one of those classic chinese blue tins genuinely shocked by how well made, high quality, and perfectly balanced this is, and to top it off, this fragrance has no jasmine in it, Isabelle Larignon brews her fragrances like potions, everything she touches is perfectly balanced, really unique and just works

It's sad to see the limited reviews, so I decided to contribute. This one is very, very pretty and easy to wear. It has touches of tartness and sweetness, as well as depth from tobacco, which sets it apart from the usual freshies or light florals. However, it is non-offensive. My husband, who is sensitive to fragrance, finds it "pleasant." If he were to buy me a bottle, this would be the one he would choose. I really like the green facets in here. I am new to the perfume world, but find myself leaning towards chypres, green florals, and 'clean' scents. I have a 10mL but plan on buying a whole bottle when it's gone. Lovely and worth exploring.

Really love this one, and loved it even more when I read that it is a sleight of hand, to so perfectly recreate the scent of jasmine, without jasmine in it. It is really magical, quite deep and sensuous, it doesn't have the saccharine, overly indolic smell that some jasmines do (especially the otherwise magnificent Jasmin de Pays). It is earthier, more mysterious. It's great.

This is good. I'm actually very intrigued by the fact that the perfumer put together a jasmine accord without using a natural absolute for this. I love osmanthus in general and here it gives a fruity, deep, slightly balsamic edge. Smells high end and so well thought out. I wish it was a tad greener but overall a good performer, never boring.