Pentimento

Starting with the most unromantic & basic angle: Pentimento is like a health-store hazlenut-carob bar crossed with a bouncy floral patchouli. That said, it's done in the multifaceted shapeshifting Jorum manner and so feels secretive, deceptive, full of shadowy corners and velvety hiding places. There are definitely aspects of bombastic edible designer patchoulis from the 90s-2010s, but it is also a little austere, esoteric, the sweet hazelnut fading quite quickly to something that's harder to pin down, but seems to involve cocoa butter. It's as if it inhabits and reveals a hidden fold in perfume reality, between artisanal earnestness and commercial seductiveness - and I like it there. I suspect this is a winter only perfume, but would still be interested to see how it fares in hot weather. Compared to other Jorums I've tried, it's more wearable and arguably more feminine than either Athenaeum or Trimerous, which I admire but don't like on myself; nonetheless, it feels closer to these earlier perfumes than the Highland series that came after. EDIT: tried this alongside Régime de Fleur's Fleur Eclair, which is working the same edible floral vein, albeit in a glossier and more legible manner. Weirdly, side by side EdF comes across as v fresh-synthetic in the top notes while Pentimento starts out with the hazelnut-flowers front and centre. After about 40 minutes, though, Pentimento dials down the hazlenut and settles into a gorgeous close wearing floral cocoa butter, while EdF is just getting started on the gourmand nutty floral patchouli, and keeps that beautiful chord going for a long time. I like both scents a lot, just fascinated by the different development.

Thrilled to have won this perfume from the giveaway! I love Jorum Studio for making unusual unisex fragrances that are tied to experiences with nature. Pentimento is enjoying a flourless chocolate cake in a lush garden. This gourmand is pretty straight-forward, but that's not saying it's simple. The chocolate is the star of the show, but it is not a very sweet chocolate-- it's almost umami-like in its earthiness. It's very well-balanced with the orchid note, and the combination of the two reminds me a little of Black Orchid (if anything Pentimento is BO's cool older sister, where BO is heavy-handed Pentimento is quieter and more sultry). The rum is different from other rum notes I've smelled in the past, it adds spice to the dry down more than an actual boozy quality (at least on my skin). Wearing it is a very personal experience, as it stays pretty close to the skin, and it lasted on me for at least six hours. Overall, a very comforting and sexy winter fragrance!

Second review. This is so damn underrated. I've been wearing Pentimento non-stop lately, my fav nutty fragrance for sure. Again still annoyed at the fact that this comes in a 30ml because I have to ration it. I understand they're trying to be exclusive but come onnnn give us a 100ml or at least 70ml. If you're reading this just please go smell it or order a sample. It's really not too sweet or a heavy gourmand at all, just perfectly balanced. It is difficult to describe. Decent longevity as well. I disagree with the guy below, this isn't heavy or nauseating to my nose, it would actually work as a daily scent. It's obviously not a fresh scent so the nuts definitely make it deeper, but that's what makes it so unique and pleasant to me.

I love it. Another Jorum, go figure. This time I need to go a little heavier to get the performance I want, but no matter it’s great. Pentimento is a lovely nutty gourmand sitting on a vanilla cream base. Not the most unique perfume, but it is different from their usual approach. Since this seems polarizing, and if you happen to own a regretful blind buy, do reach out to me as I’m interested in acquiring. I did note that this label stacks the type, a big no-no in the world of nerdy typographers and that would be me. Euan, I will redo your front label (or any new label) for exchange of services. Funny, but I’m serious. Please contact me anytime.

the carob is extremely nostalgic of my Maltese-Irish parents who use carob syrup to cure every ailment imaginable. I no longer live with my parents, but still keep a bottle of carob in the cupboard to have the comfort of my childhood when I’m feeling sick. This is also well loved by my mother, and I bought her a bottle for her last birthday, so extra special and nostalgic for me even more so now! paired with the white florals, rum, and hazelnuts it creates this syrupy, oily, fatty concoction. It’s a little spicy, rich, but not overwhelming or cloying. Perfectly balanced!

Could work as an everyday signature, but nobody's making a tiny 30ml their signature. Bitter hazelnut with white floral in the opening, the dry-down is a nutty vanilla scent. It's pretty unique, very nutty yet wearable for every day. I love it. Really want a bottle but it's pretty pricy for a 30ml (update, I acquired my bottle). Decent longevity, mediocre sillage. Has quickly become one of my favourite fragrances, it reminds me a lot of Hermetica Sandalsun probably due to the hazelnut.

It's true, the opening is quite gasoline-like (due to hazelnut + rum + white flowers maybe?). However, it's not that strong, and the overall is a nice gourmand-notes-but-not-gourmand effect. Where Pentimento stuns is in the drydown. If you have patience for it, you'll get a beautiful, hay-like, almost oakmossy base (the broom + maybe the carob?), smoothened by the tonka. This drydown is so glorious, I'm putting off my evening shower to tomorrow morning, to go to bed sniffing myself.

tropical nutty sweet sexy - brown Smokey eyes, tussled hair and leopard print. wearable aswell, it is unique. Blunt opening, if this scent were a color it would be brown and yellow. I almost get a banana smell from this.

A very interesting opening with Nutella (chocolate and hazelnut) and tropical notes. Somehow it is gourmand and floral at the same time, sweet but not sickening. If there was a chocolate scented sunscreen would probably smell like this (in a good way). A few minutes later I can distinctly smell the tiare' flower and the vanilla. It is slightly boozy, and there is a tiny hint of tobacco. It's an interesting declination of a gourmand, unique in its composition, but fundamentally a gourmand. The base is a rich chocolate-dessert like note. Since I've already several gourmand scents (and they are not my go-to type of fragrances), I don't need this one, but if I'd be in the market for this type of perfume I'd certainly consider a bottle of this. Said that, this is not a safe blind buy. I can see how the strong chocolate/hazelnut note might be too much for some.

Wonderful opening, immediate hazelnut/chocolate notes. Also, for some reason it reminded me of da hong pao or a toasty houjicha. These fall into the background quite quickly, and it becomes primarily floral as the tiare comes out, accompanied by subtle cacao. It is boozy. I wish the chocolate remained stronger over the course of wear.

This is pretty addicting, so this starts out smelling to me like straight dry cocoa mix powder out of the jar but not any cocoa mix a very good gourmet cocoa mix with real dark chocolate bits and hazelnut flavored. at dry down Tiare flowers kick in and gives the perfume a bit tropical vibe or sunblock chocolaty feel. Its very nice.

This is reminiscent of Aquolina Chocolovers to me, but with a fruity shampoo vibe. If you want a more gourmand hazelnut without the strong dose of white florals, that's what I'd go for instead.

I pick up filberts right from the jump. Yes, kids, that's hazelnuts. Euan may very likely have used Filbertone, a perfume and flavor compound that is naturally found in hazelnut oil (I have some of it in my possession). It is predominantly this hazelnut with humid white flowers and a chocolate fondant. It's oily, fatty, and intense. I almost wish the hazelnut was pared back just a smidge, since it verges on nauseating for my nose. It feels a bit shallow and incomplete as well. If it were only softened and fleshed out with more subtle blenders, this would feel more wearable and attractive to me.

A sweet, nutty scent which is unfortunately a little light-on for me. The floral elements blend well with the nuttiness, but I feel that it lacks a sufficient spine to carry it forward. It needed a woodsy element or a resin to really fill it out. Nothing too extreme, just something to counter-balance the entire scent...

Pentimento goes weirdly, strongly plasticky on my skin. Could be the oiliness other reviewers mentioned? Could just be my sample? Zoologist's Chipmunk remains my go-to for a hazelnut scent.

To me, this is an unpleasant combination of a nutty, creamy smell and almost aldehydic soapy notes. It's not for me.

Very surprising hazelnut at opening, accompanied by flowery sweetness. Really pleasant at first, but the sweetness doesn't relent and gets close to overpowering, but for the subtle-but-still-there hints of hazelnuts which distract you from it a little. However, after a while the floral sweetness remains and the hazelnut doesn't, meaning there is no getting away from the sweet and powdery bouquet on your skin.

Oily, fatty, boozy tiare. Absolutely not my cup of tea.

Every time I smell it I get nausea and feel like throwing up. Rum, hazelnut and vanilla. It sounds delicious but it smells synthetic and boozy. It smells like I came out from a bar with cheap booze mixed with fake Nutella. At first it has a very strong alcohol scent, but as it dries down the vanilla and hazelnut becomes more prominent. I don’t really like the rum note in this. I do get floral hints. Which is throwing me a little off. 0/10

I came across this while reviewing pour rever. Pentimento was listed in the reminds me of section. So I took a chance. This smells NOTHING like pour rever to me. I get white florals, vanilla, and a hint of musk. What a disappointment. (I was surprised to see that pour rever was not listed in the reminds me of section for pentimento. 🤷🏼♀️) I’m selling my new 30ml bottle if anyone is interested. Sprayed twice.