Bristol Club

Dear Fragrantica Friends, I will start by saying that, having tried a couple of Miguel’s fragrances, I developed a deep respect for him and his brand. I see him not as a mad chaotic scent engineer (as his several “scents of fail” would suggest) but as a very focused master olfactive alchemist. He has, quite evidently, a deep knowledge of his craft – both theoretical and practical. But more than that, he possesses the heart and soul of an artist: he has an aesthetical vision that is both familiar and deeply personal. He is a shinning metal ring in the long chain of great perfumers. The “Lisbon Clubs” series is especially interesting as it refers to a time and place very clearly connected to Miguel’s aesthetic sensitivities. Note that an art deco font is his brand’s current trademark. I’ve tried the four of them and by far BRISTOL is my favorite. I’ll start by saying that this scent is more openly masculine than the rest. Although I understand the genderless quality of all scents, I also understand the extremely relevant cultural conditioning of individual perception. Scent itself is genderless but our perception and understanding of if is encapsulated in our memories, cultural assumptions and (why not?) prejudices. Secondly, the mix of peru balsam, orange blossom, lavender, and palisander is just so unique and interesting that I cannot stop sniffing myself and trying to make sense of this wondrous concoction. I don’t think it quite evokes the physicality of the place but more the contrasting stylistic nature of the late ’20s and early '30s (euphoria and glamour but also misery and impending tragedy). Miguel plays with these ideas and achieves a composition that is vintage in style but quite modern and even modernistic as an end result. The perfume projects well – sharply in the first 2 hours - and lasts around 7 hours. Although the opening might be a bit srtonger, the dry down is simply SUPERB. After an artsy night out of wine and dine, it’s time for intimacy. And intimate, alluring and sexy this perfume becomes. This is one of the most elegant and gentlemanly (not manly) perfumes out there. Truly challenging but SO worth the effort.

Take 1 part "No. 89", 1 part orange blossom water, a dash of Peru balsam - stirred & not shaken. Britain meets Maghreb in Lisbon. Beautiful, sort of 'colonial' affair that doesn't feel as old-fashoined as you might think, thanks to an addictive orange blossom. A very, very nice scent - one of Miguel Matos' best!

Oakmoss heaven. Too much for me, but I could imagine layering all my childish sweet caramels with this and smelling like business, better than my boss.

Strong but gentle at the same time, neither masculine nor feminine, it feels very classic but also transgressive. This is a bold vintage style fragrance with a chypre structure that on my skin dries a little too soapy. Not my style at all but i can't say this isn't well done. What fascinates me the most is that it matches the description that Miguel makes in the site and I immediately feel transported by it. At first, i didn't enjoy this but after giving it some time and trying it on my skin, i'm thinking this may be just like Pessoa wrote: Primeiro estranha-se, depois entranha-se.