The Artist No.1

I have enjoyed Maison Alhambra’s Tom Ford clones and when I found out they had a Portrait of a Lady clone, I just had to get it. I have never smelled POAL before myself, but being a patchouli and a rose lover of course I’ve heard lots about it. It’s kind of an iconic fragrance on the side of fragrance YouTube that I frequent. So while I cannot compare it to POAL, from the initial smell, it immediately reminded me of something that I do know. At first, I figured that it was just the patchouli, and then for a minute I wondered if it was reminding me of Noir de Noir by Tom Ford. But then I quickly realized that it reminds me a lot of Zara’s Mystic Rose. Going back to Mystic Rose’s Fragrantica page, I see some users noting the similarity between Mystic Rose and POAL, so I guess it makes sense. Compared to MR, though, The Artist N°1 has less of that tarty fruitiness that I feel like a lot of people would dislike – Mystic Rose is kind of screechy compared to this one. The Artist N°1 is more refined and smells more expensive. Funnily enough, compared to Zara’s perfume, it’s basically the same price point. The Artist N°1 is a beautiful fragrance, where I feel like all of the ingredients kind of play together in a very balanced kind of way. The patchouli, rose and a combination of the fruits project the most. On the skin, I get a lot of the patchouli, frankincense and the cloves. It’s not a beast mode fragrance, but the projection is nice and longevity is great. It’s a steady performer and it doesn’t get much weaker for the duration of the lifetime of the fragrance. Blind buy win. I enjoy it. Does it make me feel like the original Portrait of a Lady is worth the price point? No. But I’m glad I’m able to experience this. It is the kind of scent profile that I gravitate to and it is very mysterious smelling.

Twelve out of ten In many ways, this embodies my ideal fragrance Perhaps Montana PDP is to blame A challenging but interesting opening, a rewarding dry down, an explosion of resin, rose, patchouli, and spice. I understand why some don't like it. The top is quite insane. It is dissonant and cacophonous, but so are parts of the 2001 score. This doesn't make it impossible to appreciate. To take a fine, European touring car out on the narrow, winding country roads it excels on, you have to get it out of its driveway and into the country in the first place. Do the owners complain about how it drives in the city? No. They understand it as part of the experience and learn to appreciate it for what it is. It's possible to do this with The Artist No 1. There is a chypre sleeping in No 1 like a jackal in his den. The opening speed runs you through a layering of Aromatics Elixir and Paloma Picasso. As the AE makes way to a purer paloma, things become clear, you experience the rose, the cloves, the berries, the frankincense and patchouli. As this all renders away, this becomes a deep, dark, whiskey-gold and slightly sweet contemplation on the sensory hybridization of rose, patchouli, resin, and spice. It lasts FOREVER on my skin. I do not think this is an ideal scent for women, but I guarantee most women will love it on a man...and most men will love it on themselves. I've never smelled Portrait of a Lady, but I don't have to in order to appreciate No 1. It's incredible. Never before has a perfume become a top-fiver so instantly.

This is unbelievable! I received today a sample of Portrait of a Lady and a full bottle of The artist no 1 . So ...right out of the box, these two are almost identical. For those who would like to know what it smells like...It is not too strong, first of all. It is unique, but makes me think of the style of Amouage, a bit cathedral, alluring, embodying confidence without shouting. As it dries more on my wrist it is showing it's weakness in comparison to POaL...but with my experience... Alhambra will shine through in about a week of rest...They never let me down. If you are a type who likes darker scents with a bit of a Gothic vibe, I believe you will love this and with all respect to Dominique Ropion and Frederick Malle....I am happy to save my pennies. I smelled the original about 13 years ago and thought it was too pricey then, but I wished I had gotten it. It was 100 € less than today's price. Sigh....

I just opened this, and I had to hop on here immediately!!! This may just be the most stunningly beautiful fragrance I’ve smelled in a loooong time! I haven’t smelled the original FM version by Dominique Ropion, but if this is as good as it is, then that is probably an absolute masterpiece! The sillage is amazing, the rose is distinctly there yet is done in a smooth and subtle way, allowing the black currant, patchouli, clove and frankincense dance around it! The sandalwood grounds this into the most elegant and captivating beauty! I am so thrilled that a scent like this is available at such an amazing price! This doesn’t just smell rich, it smells like generational wealth! (If that makes sense) It absolutely blows me away!

The Artist No.1 Maison Alhambra Crimson velvet rose, Cloaked in spice and incense smoke, Shadows turned to art. Perfectly unisex. Impressive sillage, and easily lasts 8-10 hours depending on how much you use. The price compared to Portrait of a Lady; Amazingly affordable. Wear it with confidence, because you are beautiful! The Artist n°1 is the perfect fragrance to wear for the holidays. It represents the perfect Christmas / Winter Rose. 🌹 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming As men of old have sung. It came, a flower bright, Amid the cold of winter When half-gone was the night! Merry Christmas to all!

I wore this side by side with my PoaL decant today. I would say they are ~85% similar. This nails the rose-patchouli-red berry DNA, and I also get the clove quite well. PoaL still has an edge in the form of more dimension, mainly a more complex incense note and spicy lift. For the price though, this is an absolute steal. I sprayed once on my arm in the bathroom and coming back hours later, it smelled like glorious deep red roses! Can’t really ask for better value.

I've never tried Portrait of a Lady, but I love this, Porporo, and Perles De Lalique. Very unusual, strange and mysterious profile. Have to use it from time to time because I'm addicted.

Probably the sexiest, most addicting, dark, rose fragrance I've ever smelled. For such an affordable price it's an absolute steal!!

Outstandingly mesmerizing fragrance when mixed with Indonesian patchouli oil. This provides depth and allure. Truly intoxicating

Perfect analog of Frédéric Malle "Portrait of Lady"

Nose Note #751 I love this DNA. But it's not a safe blind buy - no Fredric Malle DNA is. This is substantially different from Fragrance World's take though, and must say, I like FW much better. This one is more about the rose note, and the rose is slightly honeyed. The incense is incense is more in the background and you can pick out the clove note. Generally, I'd say it's slightly feminine leaning. The FW take is much much more about incense - which is so good. A perfect blend between the rose and incense, much better than Amouage. So good, and so memorable. Rose + incense often remind of bug spray though. And so does Artist No.1, but only slightly. I haven't met the OG, but comparing FW and this - FW is a winner any day. It's stronger and all. FW made an incense scent. Alhambra made a rose scent. Artist No.1 would be a better choice for the ladies. 8/10, still it's excellent. A beauty for a more mature nose

Straight up dill pickle juice. I have tried to wear this 3x. My daughter made me scrub it off because it was making her nauseous today. I haven't tried PoaL so no idea if that gives out the Claussen vibe. Altho in fairness, there are a few rose fragrances that I do get that pickle juice thing I just can't get past to smell anything else. Valentino Anatomy of a Dream L'Innocence de L'aire is another rose centric perfume that this happens to me. I think it's like cilantro. Some ppl get soap. Some don't. Anywho...time to declutter this bottle.

I’m happy for those who are happy with it. Artist 1 has to be the worst kind of cacophony of beautiful notes listed above. An example of a road paved to hell with the best of intentions. And it’s not the only offering from Maison Alhambra/ Lataffa which is a tsunami of utter ineptitude. Impressive packaging a la Malle is no substitute for a bad product. A real scrubber on me. SCRUBBER. Shocking cling factor. Ultimately resorted to a touch of BLEACH to appease my olfactory system. It goes in thrash bin, can’t insult anyone by giving it away!

I do not own the original. I only own a body wash of the original. Artist No.1 is a natural smelling NON-SWEET rose fragrance. If this is in fact "CLOSE enough" OR "VERY close" to the original POAL: I do not see what all the controversy is all about. This is very straight forward . Seriously. There is a slight "herbal vibe" in this - maybe that freaked people out. This is not your basic "budget" rose scent like Paul Smith's now discontinued Rose - Or that old work-horse Tea Rose -- A#1 has a gentle complexity goin' on . This is NOT all pretty and feminine. I think the master creator made a HUGE error in using the word "Lady" in the title because MANY male fragrance buyers are phobic to try lady ..ANYTHING. A#1 has a decent volume (and projection) if you give yourself 4 to 8 sprays . Got a compliment on the supermarket line today - gal at the register asked the lady in front of me "What perfume are you wearing?" . Lady says "I was going to ask YOU the same thing". I was all "Guilty" and they wanted to know what is it called. And I just got this in the mail 20 minutes before entering the store . Win/Win . Grade: A minus. (I also got The Artist #2. It's pretty close to this - NO need to own BOTH) .

I just received this yesterday and I am blown away! I love anything Dominique Ropion creates and POL is a masterpiece! Maison Alahambra hit the jackpot with this dupe. It is spot on IMO. The opening is a bit sharper than the original but the magic unfolds in the drydown. It is a beautiful rose opening. I sprayed inside the box and it’s still permiating the next day! I want Part 2 now for the Moon. I love Frederic Malle’s creations but the price tag I can’t afford right now.

@konga5 - which is better artist no 1 or 2 ??? I do have the og POAL that i use for special occasions (2021 batch) and was planning to buy the "Artist No 1/2" for routine use. Which among the two would you recommend ?? Also, whats the diff between them ?

This is the original Phebo soap. Brazilians know what I am talking about. Very tamed. Not challenging at all.

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