La Fumee Ottoman

I fell in love with this special edition when visiting the Miller Harris Boutique in London. I sprayed it on my wrist and after the whole day took off my leather jacket thinking oh what's that lovely scent on the sleeve... it just got better and better. So annoying that a scent this wonderful should be limited edition grrrrrr ! La Fumee Ottoman is more feminine than what I remember "La Fumee" which I had a sample of. But that's not to say that you wouldn't enjoy it if you are a guy who likes oriental scents, attars etc. La Fumee Ottoman opens with a blast of rose cardamom scented incense and a very noticeable cedar / cumin aspect that blends in well with the overall sweetness. This is what I would call the first stage. The fragrance then movees through a more spicy and almost powdery phase where I notice patchouli. Finally the drydown loops back to the incense theme reminding me of fruit infused shisha clouds...It took me a few months to jump on board and get a full bottle (when an online retailer had it on special offer which seemed to be a one off) - no regrets I love this stuff.

Very, very lovely - it shares the same warm, complex, nuanced swaddling of spices of all the La Fumees - but not quite worth the large leap in price from the standard edition, IMHO. I sprung for both because I *love* the basic one but find the rose note a bit overbearing, and was hoping for a similar mix but smokier, spicier and a bit more masculine and savoury rather than sweet. This kind-of-does that, but it's really not so far away from the original line and paradoxically the longevity seems poorer, on my skin at least. Having said that - still absolutely beautiful, not too overbearing for such a powerful range of notes, can be worn with anything and to any occasion. I love it and use it a lot - it's intensely comforting and gives you a real lift. I'm just not sure this one is worth the special-edition premium price, and do now sort-of-regret having both this and the straight ahead La Fumee. BUT, if you find this (or any Fumee) at a price that suits you, snap it right up. It's absolutely quality gear and you will not be sorry.

Just would like to add to my review below... I have had La Fumee Ottoman for a while but I am not so excited by it anymore. considering the price tag it doesn't have the best sillage and longevity and there is a middle phase where the rose tobacco and incense step back and I am left with an almost soapy old school patchouli man cologne vibe. Eventuall it's all good again but... it's not exactly perfect so I have started looking into layering as well (will try Boudoir, Al Rehab Saat Safa as a base). So the reason I write again today is that I received Aramis Calligraphy Rose today, a blind buy. I sprayed it on and once the slightly herbal opening calmed down I was left with a superstrong rose incense scent with a powerful drydown that resembles the very best of La Fumee Ottoman. So before you get depressed over the fact that LFO is limited edition and damn expensive, head over to Aramis and try the Calligraphy Rose.

Tried this the other day in one of the famous London department stores and fell in love with it straight away. I agree with d_l_esmond's analysis and cannot add to it much more other than it is absolutely adorable to wear especially in this crisp and cold weather that we currently enjoy in London. It is the perfect scent to wear for it gives you instant warmth, forces everyone else to cuddle up to you and snuggle up under that cashmere luxury scarf (or for the lovers and couples under that duvet). It would also be a lovely scent to wear to bed, when you just had a hot bath and fresh bed linen. You will be dreaming of Ataturk, presumably, as he had the winning formula for some time....Happy dreaming! 8/10. Truly sophisticated and perhaps a perfect first incense fragrance in case Amouage is too hefty for you.

My second Miller Harris score. I have the La Fumee and like it. That one is about incense, labdanum and sandalwood, but this one is so, so much better. The addition of the cumin and cardamom warms this up and the tonka turns this into what I think of as a real Woody Oriental. This perfume has more dimensions than La Fumee. The journey for me is: incense - amber - spicy - rose - tonka. Stays on my skin and has decent sillage. Super easy to wear. Super sexy. I'll be wearing this in cool to cold weather to help keep me warm.... EDIT: As the weather has gotten cooler this fragrance has gotten more beautiful.