Iris Gris

I got to smell this at the Osmoteque and it really is as beautiful as the legend around it claims. It's dominated by the intense orris butter woody/powdery/fresh/doughiness that are mere facets of Irisss, Iris Silver Mist, Prada Purple Rain and L'Attesa. But the scent lingers for hours, set up against the most photorealistic peach note in the early stages. I've only sampled on paper so I cannot speak of Iris Gris' performance on skin but I am so excited to hear that the company plans to relaunch this one again in the near future (although it's clear that they will not be following the original's recipe with absurd amounts of real orris). For those who are lucky enough to own any amount of the original Iris Gris, treasure it because you are in possession of one of the few true holy grails of perfume history.

This perfume is utterly breath-taking. I have the smallest of vials of this - approximately 3mls remain and I love it so much I can't bear to even contemplate using it. This has an ethereal quality, it's is feminine, airy, sensual, seductive, charming and full of glamour. I whisper it quietly but it does remind me (very much) of Serge Lutens Vitriol d'oeillet. The two are almost identical. Chilly in the opening with iris/violet, then in comes the merest suggestion of clove and carnation, which means it has a little peppery backdrop. It is one of the most beautiful perfumes I've had the luck to own. I comfort myself with SL's offering as I doubt I will ever find any more original Iris Gris.

My holy grail. Perfection of blendingskills between iris,peach and amber.

Ok, so I was at Jovoy in Paris today and got to try the available formula. Looks like 30 mL for 3000 euros quick glance at the tag -edit 2k euros, it all becomes the same price hehe. Smelled the bottle and got nothing as I practically inhaled the little bottle wtf. The manager approached me with a smirk and said you cant smell anything because it's a dummy, here let me get you the bottle. The manager explained how it was difficult to recreate faithfully and the original didnt remain on the market long because of the orris butter that became cost prohibitive. It was en vogue at the time to wear iris in high class gatherings as I understand. It was my second day visit at the store and have been smelling the who's who of what's in the market. I don't really care about any of that, and came into it treating it like every other fragrance Ive been sampling up and down Paris during vacation. Im 35 male, well acquainted with niche, have a wide range of taste, and I don't fall for high end designer/niche "cheap parlor tricks". She gave me a generous dab on the wrist and on a blotter, and seriously fell on the chair sniffing it after she walked away and could not stop. It's supposed to be historic, but some classic French perfume just doesnt work for me in public and only at home for myself Well... This blew my mind. I can definitely wear this anywhere happily. Orris heavy but not rooty, ethereal, peach and supporting notes just dance together, Im not the best descriptor or BS artist... Just wanted to share my experience. Grateful to have tried it. Ill be looking for alternatives, maybe touches of Lheure bleu, Chypre Palatin, Vol de Nuit, Mitsouko... But those feel dated in comparison!

Thr easiest way to try it is to order the Dua version, which happens to be the most expensive 30ml fragrance in their catalogue, apparently because of the cost of materials to clone the second generation version. It seems to smell like many of you are describing but who knows. Orris butter bomb, slight peach note and it's radiating and morphing into a richer, powdery, faint woodsy mid. Haven't gotten to the base yet cause I just got it! I wouldn't wear it much unless I layer a citrus over it or something but the historical value is cool to me.