Fig Tea

It's a relief to discover I'm not the only one smitten by this fragrance. And it's interesting to see how much divergence of opinion there is in what it smells like. The opening is the one phase of this scent I don't like - photorealistic fig flesh. If you've ever made fig jam you know this smell, hot, juicy fig bubbling in a pan. Not at all what I enjoy smelling like. Happily this phase only lasts 5-10 minutes and then it's on to the main event, this gorgeous, dry osmanthus/mate scent that I suspect is addicting because it is something I find myself craving this especially in summer. The ending gives a little more space to the amber which provides a bit of sweetener to the finish. It's the long lasting, gorgeous middle that I crave. On me, even in the heat, sillage and longevity are good. Edit: More evidence of how polarizing this fragrance is: in the original version of Perfumes: the Guide, Tania Sanchez gives this one star, which I always thought was the one review in the guide where they simply got it wrong. In the new version of the Guide, Luca Turin give this four stars, saying it's one of the best treatments of osmanthus. Tania says she still hates it. I still spend the first few hours wondering why I put this on, but it just keeps getting better and by the next morning, I want it again.

As a devoted tea fragrance enthusiast, Nicolai Fig Tea consistently ranks among my top 3 most beloved tea scents. The mate tea note is subtly fragrant, yet its projection is remarkably impressive. The mate tea, combined with the incredibly captivating osmanthus flower, has led me to purchase my third bottle – purely because I'm addicted to the feeling of wearing it to work. It's a gentle floral tea scent with impressive longevity and sillage. Nicolai has crafted this fragrance exceptionally well; it feels both modern and fresh, yet simultaneously nostalgic and classic. The scent isn't overpowering but diffuses very gently, just enough to make a subtle impression on those around you. It's a versatile fragrance, suitable for work, dates, or simply meeting an old friend. The osmanthus, jasmine, and mate tea combination is simply exquisite on my skin. It lasts for over 8 hours on the skin and more than 10 hours on clothing.

I absolutely love Fig Tea! I purchased it as a tester since I love most everything from the House of Nicolai and boy was I pleasantly surprised! For me, it opens with a perfect blend of osmanthus, fig, a tiny hint of jasmine, artemisia and guaiac wood. At first I thought it might be a little too floral, but the drydown was absolutely lovely and blended to perfection. I can't stop smelling my wrist! It did become a skin scent within just a few minutes, but that's ok, it's the kind of private perfume that you share with your lover when he holds you close. Fig Tea is perfect for any occasion and a great scent for spring and summer, and very office appropriate. I imagine this is what Jayne Seymour would've worn in the movie Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve. Very private and oh so sensual.... Longevity 5/10 Sillage 3/10 Projection 3/10

I've been searching for an osmanthus frag for a while, and am so glad to encounter this beauty. This is by far THE MOST realistic osmanthus that revokes my childhood memory in China. The fruity but refreshing facade of osmanthus is well captured here (some may say it smells like apricot). I don't get the bitter mate tea at all, but there's definitely a hint of tea/greenness in the background. The DNA may seem to be similar to Memo Inle, because they both focus on osmanthus + mate. However, Inle is much heavier on the mate (almost 50/50), and Fig Tea is more osmanthus dominant (90/10). There are also many other frags that have the osmanthus note (such as amouage sunshine, TOC osmanthus, hermes osmanthus yunan etc.), but osmanthus is never the start of the show. Fig tea is all about osmanthus, which is why I love it.

vdxl, about longevity you have a point there, I never really spray more than 3times, perhaps I'm overly considerate with my surroundigs :P though I will try out at home, for solely my joy :) and I was fortunate enough to meet with Kiss Me Tender, but (on me) only vanille was detectable, though these days I was wondering about giving it another try, because my first and second encouter with it was in spring and summer. from Patricia Nicolai I do love Sacreblue (no longevity issues there). "We perfumistas should thank Patricia de Nicolai for her gorgeus creations :)" couldn't agree with you more :) edit: retested KMT, it's still mainly vanille on me, overall has a 100% resemblance to my cupcake doll from my childhood, that's why I couldn't take it too seriously.