Patchouli Antique

i just received a bottle of the "patchouli antique." first impression is one of musty. dry, long forgotten, hidden in the attic type of mustiness. the patchouli comes up sweet and direct. "amber," woodiness and vanilla mellow out the patchouli somewhat. for edt is has a strong presence. i have bought many a vial of patchouli in india, this is very much like that. i was told that patchouli is a favorite of old religious people. despite it's power (which may turn many many refined noses away) it has a comforting and somewhat quiet mood. terpenes apparently are well known mood enhancers. i can imagine this is the patchouli which became associated with silk and cashmere imported from the far east. patchouli is definitely not on everyone's top fragrance list. it seems patchouli is often now blended into a gentle veil of scent. the patchouli in PA however is not a demure background player. it claims the spotlight. seems this is similar or the same as other edp: patchouli original, and patchoili 1854 from honore payan and patchouli epices from lombok-shop.fr both of which are produced by Rigaud Parfum Honore Payan at 840 route de gourdon, grasse. each priced around 50usd for 100ml. payan offers other patchouli scents also. all very old school but still relevant for patch lovers. serviceable pleasant patchouli offering a comfortable embrace 4nov2020: this is my go to patchouli. it's assertive musty/earthy opening gets me every time. the dry down is solid patch with a little warmth.

****Please note that this review is for the rounded base bottle with the cherubs. Patchouli Antique reminds me of my time seeking out hip vintage clothing at the Garment District in Cambridge, MA in my teens and twenties. The entire floor smelled like patchouli incense and the curious aroma of time-tested textile and well-loved apparel. It's a melancholy mustiness of the past that slowly fades from view, but you want so much to hold on to it, aching to recapture it in any way possible, slipping from your grip. Often, I'd hit the bookstores nearby, and the decaying lignin aroma is recalled here as well. So many words, ideas, meaningful for a time, desperately yearning to be rediscovered, to not be languished into oblivion; the dusty vanilla and benzoin sweetness and organic degradation reminding us of our own mortality. I know, this isn't uplifting, but it's no less beautiful, and for some reason, this particular patchouli 'fume captures it more than any other I've encountered. It may come off as excessively bohemian and "unrefined" to those who may be used to the polished (read: anemic) modern patchoulis, but this is for one who wants to lean into the truest patchouli in a wearable incense form, complete with the authentic wet soil sensation and coarseness of this epochal botanic material.

The opening is so amazing! Who likes the "vibe" of this should also try Byredo's Vanille Antique (but that's a lot sweeter). I'm not into sweet scents in general but the "antique" part makes Vanille Antique very enjoyable. I guess the same goes for Patchouli Antique but I like patchouli anyway. It is exactly the old antique feel that comes through here and this together with enjoyable patchouli, such a great composition. The opening is gone in just a few minutes though and I don't even know is it because there's 27 C in my room and 59% RH or what. But it stays longer on my shirt. So I would complain about longevity but I will use it more and then see how it behaves.

Underestimated flanker that has the mystery and the full body of real oriental Patchouli. In the 90s opened a Les Nereides shop in Ancona (Italy) and it is still there, an hidden gem of lovely french bijoux and delicious fragrances. I used to buy this one (and the even better Oppoponax -now unfortunately reformulated and discontinued). The scent evokes the comfort of a cashmere warm blanket on the fireplace, with incense burning around and a mellow amber/oakmoss/vanilla that stay forever on your clothes and skin. Safe purchase if you love oriental fragrances. 4/5

A deep, powdery, velvety patchouli with vanilla and demure amber. Comparable to Reminiscence Patchouli & Alyssa Ashley Essence de Patchouli. Les Nerides is darker, it leans more medicinal as a result of incense. A great alternative to REM for a fair price!