Gujarat

Gujarat's huge ingredient list sounds like a recipe for an exotic Indian banquet, but on me, the fragrance opens with a large dose of sandalwood and oud. The latter are not the entree, they are the doorkeepers which bow your way into the rose, saffron and cardamom main course, which feast is comfortably consumed on a pillow of mango and marigolds. Yet despite my culinary similes, this is NOT in any way a foody perfume on my skin. Much as I adore Indian food - one of my two greatest favorite cuisines (with French) - I don't cherish smelling like it. I was a little afraid of the curry leaf and the cumin, and am decidedly unfond of lime notes, which often turn too masculine for my tastes. However, the blending of Gujarat is so well done that I don't get anything but an exotic wonder laid over an equally exotic base. Each component triggers a little olfactory memory of Asian spices and spaces, but none stands out as reminiscent of any other exotic perfume, not even an Arabian attar. Gujarat is a brilliant exotic composition, unlike anything else I have ever smelled, and definitely full bottle worthy, a 9/10 for the fragrance, the projection and the staying power. PS: If you haven't purchased Olympic Perfumes' tester package, then I suggest you run and do so - generous samples, so you can really get down with each sensory experience, all gorgeous discoveries, and at a very reasonable entrance fee. Disclaimer, because I do tend to gush so : Not affiliated, just a fan.

There's something very amazing about this complex fragrance. When someone smells Gujarat, one of these two situations would occur: Either (1) you haven't ever visited India, then this fragrance is a spicy & woody fragrance that smells exotic, Or (2) you have visited India, then Gujarat evokes India for you. I tested this on some of my friends & this theory was proven :D The opening is really amazing; simultaneously bitter & sweet, floral & smoky. I can clearly smell high dose of saffron in the beginning, and also dried vanilla fruit. It is spicy, herbal, floral & a bit woody in total. The dry down is mostly woody (oud & sandalwood) and a hint of specific herbs and spices combination makes it very special. Unique in my opinion. You may find it odd, but if you have enough audacity & love eastern scents, I suggest this one to you. I think this is kinda personal; I feel something divine when I smell Gujarat.

OMG this stuff smells great...one spray on my wrist and immediately got hit by a heavy dose of fresh and sharp bergamot, curry leaf, roses, and spices. This has some of the key ingredients often used in authentic Southeast Asia curry, but it absolutely does NOT smell like the finished product aka pot of curry. The agarwood used in here gave it a slight hint of animalic undertone, but zero funk or barnyard, then immediately followed by a combination of ginger, mango, turmeric, and floral notes. This a complex scent, very opulent and heady, plus the projection and sillage are outstanding. Longevity is great, same as everything else I've received (8 different 100ml full bottles total) from this house have all been beast mode. If you like oriental type scent this is definitely worth a sample. It's a crime for a gem like this to be hidden away and not being talked about more often.

I received Gujarat in a box of samples that I purchased from Olympic Orchids. When I tried it I was immediately struck by smoke, lime and tagetes, caraway (cumin?) and turmeric. Upfront this is a very masculine scent. As it dries down the fruits, olibanum and flowers barely appear with a sharp chili accent and then a sandalwood finish. I have tried it several times and can't say if it is too masculine for me or not. I am still trying to get my nose around it. I can say, though, that it is complex and interesting and that I enjoy trying it again and again. The deluxe sample box I purchased was filled with many very generous samples making lavish use of the Gujarat sample possible.

I won this scent (among others) in a giveaway on Ellen Covey's (owner of Olympic Orchids) blog. I really, really adore the beginning of Gujarat! It has one of the most complex openings I have experienced so far, full of oud, varm spices, a hint of curry, something a bit coldly medicinal and a bite of chili if you put your nose too close! I am intrigued by the dicotomy of hot and cold here! The drydown is less complex but equally lovely, I get mostly tumeric and oud. The sandalwood is mysteriously missing on my skin, but I'm not very fond of sandalwood so that's just fine with me! Great projection and longevity!