Voleur de Roses

Ugh this is absolute perfection. It reminds me of noir de noir on my skin (tom ford) which is my signature fragrance. I feel like this is Noir de Noir's younger, softer sister that still has intensity about her but it's yet to fully develop. The rose and patchouli here is blended masterfully. It's neither cold nor overly "warm" (HIPPY) but rather realistic, seductive and enticing. The plum works extraordinarily well in adding in a softness that balances out this majestic concoction- some say plum doesn't have a scent and therefore cannot be detected. Have any of you ever smelled overripe, nearly rotting plum? It has a sweet, pungent odor - the one captured in this frag. On some this smells like moldy rotting earth and fruit. Skin chemistry plays a huge role in this scent. On me this frag unfolds and develops in a beautiful manner. It starts off with a similar blast that noir de noir does - pure oily rose followed by a heady yet fresh patchouli note that is not overpowering. It settles into a wet rose (like it just rained during a hot, humid day and all the flowers are unfolding giving off aroma) with crushed patchouli leaves, perhaps a slight tobacco note as well - very ashy but NOT unpleasant. This would be a perfect night-time scent and I can see it rising like steam off someone in the middle of winter, as this is more of a fall/winter frag. It is intense, sillage is quite huge for an EDT and longevity fairly long for me. All patchoulis tend to stick around for a long period of time. Eventually everything gets saturated with that signature patchouli scent (or stench depending on your preference). A love song... a dark romance.... a bleeding rose, tears dripping from the petals onto the fresh soil underneath. If you hate patchouli steer clear of this one even though it is VERY sample worthy just to catch a whiff of the beautiful, realistic rose. Price online (ebay) is incredible for a niche frag of this quality. Get it under $100!

It is all about luxurious sex. Voleur de Roses by L’Artisan Parfumeur is a perfume of the body and the smells of being a bad boy all of which is sure to shock some in its honest sensuality. It is the lingering scent of a lover’s body when you crawl back into bed just after they have gone. It is daring, bold and utterly divine! Created by the nose, Michel Almairac who has a great collection of creations to his name among which you will find seven in the Bond 9 house, six in Burberry, and such classics as Gucci Pour Homme and Minotaur by Poloma Picasso. Voleur de Roses is a woody oriental for men that a woman could wear with confidence. A brazen blending of three notes it is linear and lovely from start to finish. The brilliant mixing of patchouli rose and plum is deceptive in its simplicity. The opening is lush as the fragrance envelopes you like the arms of a lover. It holds you close for a good six to eight hours and like the sent of a lover is close to the skin after about two hours. Before it retreats to the flesh it projects about three feet. Voleur de Roses is not only sexy and warm but at its heart it is chic, urbanely rich and refined. If you are a sensual person by nature, a person who luxuriates in your body and lives a life of grand passion then Voleur de Roses is a must for your collection. But be warned. If you dare to wear Voleur de Roses you may begin to write a blazing new page in your own life story. To have a reputation is ordinary to be come a legend is extraordinary. FIVE PLATINUM STARS ***** (For the entire story and review check out my blog Scents Memory)

I am surprised of how accurate some of the reviews for Voleur de Roses are. The opening definitely reminds me of thunderstorm in a lush garden; I immediately had this image of very dark clouds thundering above a rose garden in spring or summer. Incredible! The scent conveys as well the feeling one experiences when facing the ominous incoming storm, that very fresh ozone charged by a gust of wind: menacing, yet you can't look away. Then I get this strong wet tobacco smell, pungent and aggressive, followed by the scent of slightly rotting fruits; plums or mirabelles indeed, that had fallen from trees and started to decay, their fragrance released in a petrychor blast. When it starts to settle, wet rose bush fuming. These pink roses are silently crying, and you can smell the tears from their broken stems and leaves. However, the patchouli gets stronger as it dries down, with the roses still in the picture, softening the whole ensemble. On clothes, the result wasn't as interesting: smoky patchouli that gets dirtier and dirtier,almost "tea like" in a terribly linear fashion. Overall, Voleur de Roses is a very natural green floral, uncompromising and with lots of character. A bold and unique fragrance with good enough sillage to get its point accross. I like scents that behave with complexity, but manage to convey emotions in a very direct way. A fragrance that is visual, and who has a soul. Voleur de Roses is like that for me. "Liking it" or not is not even the point, I enjoy personnality, and that is enough to seduce me. Tantalizing.

A very nice patchouli and rose combination, the initail blast is of rose and the support is patchouli. very natural smelling and smells better as the rose note dies down a bit. very romantic style scent think dark red rose. The overall scent is very dark,sweet and earthy. The scent reminds me of being a bit greasy. like having a shower and istead of the usual body lotion, i'v put on some middle eastern or asain floral body oil on. This is the kind of scent you want on when going to a fancy restraunt with your wife. Or even for going out with a group of freinds. I do see this as a true unisex scent and not just for men. Also i got hints of Joop homme and realised its the patchouli so i checked the notes for joop and found that, not only does joop homme have patchouli it's also made by michel Almairac the same creater of this great L'artisan scent. Do not expect a niche version of joop here it's only the patchouli and maybe some of the floral notes that are more hidden in this scent otherwise they are completly different. I find the scent sillage good and lasts between 6-8 hours and than very close to the skin. I find a scent in this style is better off being a little closer to the skin than projecting too much imo. To me this is a 25 and up scent but can see a younger man of classy style pulling this off. If you enjoy paco Rabbane Black XS or Joop Homme you may enjoy this scent. For me It's a very well made scent that usses top quality ingredients. Scent 8.5/10

Here's not a surprise, I smell patchouli, plums, woods, perhaps some incense (not unlike the dry incense of Cabaret), cold wet stones, and of course dark lush red roses. There is a dash of something deliciously edible too, a warm bread like note as it dries down. I am reminded of Mon Parfum Cheri par Camille (recalled that dusty wine coloured velvet and patch) which led me to Bottega Veneta eau de velours too, a sweeter plum velvet and patch. Voleur, Velours! There is camphor in that patch and a "red wine on suede" like nuance, but both add to this rich and earthy concoction. Breaking down the notes, means this beauty perhaps sounds a bit rank, but this is gorgeous. VdR is both damp, stemmy and dusty dry. It is both old and as fresh as a dew dropped red rose just burst into bloom. I'm only sorry it took me so long to try this, as Voleur de Rose's overall aura is luscious. An earthy plum wine rose. Certainly wearable, dark and beautiful. Is this not the epitome of the rose patchouli perfumes, that inspired all the others that followed? And yes, this is a compliment getter. My friend wears this (to the school pick up!) and she has reported of plenty of people randomly asking her what's the lovely perfume she's wearing while she is out and about. VdR has stolen my heart. (Ah-ha! a "Love" no wonder - just noticed Michel Almairac. who possibly took elements of VdR to both Cabaret de Gres and Bottega Veneta eau de Velours? love them all.)