Bengale Rouge

I'm testing this today, courtesy of a sample sent to me by trabuquera (thank you, my friend). Liz Moores was inspired to create Bengale Rouge by one of her cats; I'd best disclose that - if anything could predispose me to loving a perfume - it being inspired by cats is right at the top of my list. My first instinct is that the notes listed above are incomplete - I am sure I can smell some spices (cinnamon?); Bengale Rouge is also dry and slightly powdery. I've checked the Papillon website and Bengale Rouge is not listed yet (I think the official release is August 2019), so I went to Basenotes; "Prince Barry", like trabuquera, was also sent an advance sample by Liz Moores and has uploaded a pic of the handwritten card she included, which lists the notes as follows: Turkish rose Orris Sandalwood Honey Oakmoss Tonka Sweet myrrh Benzoin Labdanum Vanilla I am surprised to see that there are no spices included, so there must be some interaction between the notes which are producing this impression. Rose can be a difficult note for me, as can honey, which can turn slightly urinous on my skin - but BR is beautifully blended. It's rich, warm and dry, and smells sort of "fuzzy" - in my opinion, this is reminiscent of 80s classic oriental perfumes, like Opium, but without the huge bombastic sillage. Bengale Rouge is polite and unlikely to offend anyone - but those smelling it will definitely want to come closer - it's seductive. I sprayed BR four times last night to the back of my right hand, at about 10pm and I can still smell it now, over 14 hours later. Initially the projection was moderate - unsurprisingly, it's now a skin scent (but please bear in mind that I've washed my hands more times than I can count since I first sprayed). I have no idea why someone has assessed the longevity as poor - it clearly isn't, as I have dry, perfume-gobbling skin. On cloth, this will undoubtedly last days. If pushed to liken it to something, this "feels" like a combination of (current formulation) Musc Ravageur and L'Air du Desert Marocain, but more "wearable", so would suggest that lovers of those will be equally enamoured by Bengale Rouge. It really is bloody gorgeous and it's made it to the top of my birthday wishlist. 19 November 2019: ETA I received a bottle for my birthday (18 November). It's even better now (in a chilly autumn/early winter) in the UK than it was when I tested in June and I've worn it now for over 48 hours. In my opinion, this is NOT an Oriental Vanilla fragrance, as listed on Fragrantica, but a true "Oriental" fragrance. I stand by my comparison to Musc Ravageur, LADDM and Opium, but can also now see how it links to Shalimar (which I couldn't when I tested earlier, in June). This is a bloody masterpiece.

There are some perfumes that smell like someone put some materials together and they bottle it and call it finished. It smells just fine, but it’s hardly anything masterful. I call them “participation prize” perfumes. Then there are others where there is real artistry, you can tell a lot of thought went into it, and a lot of time, effort and creativity. The “trophy winners”. Then there is Bengale Rouge. The blood, sweat & tears. The fine tooth comb. The hundreds of obsessive tweaks. The “can’t sleep because they have to get it just right” perfumes. And right when it’s finally perfect, they tweak again. Whether or not this happened with Bengale Rouge, I have no idea, but that is exactly what it smells like. Bengale Rouge is more than just a transfer of glorious perfumes of the past from skin to fur, it is a collective history of the greatest perfumes of the 1920s, layered with classic masculines of the 60s, then drenched with a sheer coating of the opulence of the 80s, then refined into a purr. As others have mentioned, I do smell the Shalimar...but to my nose, it’s more vintage Emeraude being reflected. Those two fragrances always get compared but to my nose there is no other fragrance as clearly reflected in the background as vintage Emeraude extrait. The resinous powdery vanilla/tonka opoponax immediately brings to mind several of my beloved vintage Coty perfumes, particularly Emeraude and Styx. There is Guerlain in there also, a tiny reminder of Jicky, and obviously Shalimar. But for me, it’s all about the Coty. There is also a spicy masculinity of Old Spice and ambery slinkiness of Opium. But you have to imagine all of these scents on skin, worn for hours, then transferred through many neck nuzzles to a warm Bengal cat under cashmere blankets. If you can imagine that, then you have a good idea of what Bengale Rouge smells like. Every perfume reflected in Bengale Rouge is a classic masterpiece. There are no consolation prizes to be found. But there aren’t many modern perfumes that can be be compared to the creations of François Coty and Jacques Guerlain no matter how good they are. This one is an exception. Bengale Rouge is a masterpiece.

Based upon the few Papillon Artisan fragrances that I've tried so far, it's clear that Liz Moore takes inspiration from vintage perfumery. In the case of Bengale Rouge, this fragrance can easily fit into the category of oriental fragrances that dominated the 1970s/80s, such as Opium by Yves Saint Laurent and Shalimar by Guerlain. If I were to compare it to a more modern fragrance, it does have similar vibes to Musc Ravageur (though I prefer this fragrance much more). Bengale Rouge is truly a pleasure to wear. Admittedly, I did not enjoy the fragrance when I first sampled it. It came across as extremely sweet, to the point where I found it difficult to discern any of the notes mentioned in the fragrance. However, I personally found that this fragrance (amongst some others from this brand, such as Salome) require a few attempts to warm up to and understand, as these fragrances have very complex compositions. However, in a nutshell, Bengale Rouge opens up with a dose of sweet, thick honey alongside a "biscuit-y" texture (which I assuming comes from the sweet myrrh and/or tonka bean). Albeit not listed in the notes, I sense some citruses, which I have yet to discern. These citric notes don't last too long and after a few minutes, the heavy, "biscuit-y" texture remains with some vanillic and slightly powdery undertones. After sampling the fragrance for quite a while, the sweetness no longer comes across as cloying to me and I thoroughly enjoy this fragrance and have now purchased a full bottle. Despite its complexity, the fragrance is quite easy to wear and can be classified as non-offensive. It has gotten me some compliments and I have been told that I smell like "cinnamon" and have also been called a "walking human AirWick"! Regardless of its nod to the vintage orientals, I believe this fragrance is definitely unisex and I would love to see more men pull this off. I think this fragrance would also be best suited for the colder climates, such as autumn and winter, though I have yet to try it in the summer or spring months. The fragrance projects nicely and, on my skin, becomes more intimate in its sillage around the 4-5 hour mark. :)

I read in the first reviews of Bengale Rouge that it was like a smoother Shalimar but on first spray, I was surprised as there is no citrus and none of the dry herbes de Provence or dark leather that I associate with Shalimar, although later in its life it does, I agree, smell like a rich Shalimar. Instead I was greeted with a much warmer, fuller, almost boozy stewed fruit note that I associate more with Chanel's Egoiste. Indeed, their shared focus on sandalwood and rose bring the two scents momentarily into the same orbit before moving away again. After that purring, rich opening, I appreciated the prominent tonka which smells briefly like toasted almonds and gives off that very slightly mentholated note that I associate with toasted tonka (in Fourreau Noir, for example) and which I love, like a dash of arsenic tucked away in a stewed pudding, reminding me of the Roald Dahl story where a house guest is left musing on the almond taste in his mouth after tea served by a murderous host. - A bit of danger in the softness. Later I see the similarity to Shalimar, as the incredible house musk notes (also present in Tobacco Rose, Anubis and Salome, to greater or lesser degree) replicate the animalic notes of Shalimar's leather, and the resins and sandalwood its vanilla. This is quite a sweet scent, in a resinous and stewed way, and the accent is on the wood, musk and warmth rather than the florals. The inspiration of a cat is very apt - this is both very cosy as well as feline. It is not as come-hither as Salome, and wears closer to skin. However, I had an immediate compliment from my husband (totally unsolicited) who said that I smelt delicious - spicy and warm. Papillon perfumes are some of the best available - beautifully blended, smell as though they come from a world where IFRA restrictions never happened, and are distinctive while being eminently wearable every day (except maybe Salome which is for nighttime only!) Bengale Rouge is an incredible scent and will be fantastic in the autumn and winter, when I predict it will cause a bit of a sensation on the perfume circuit. My advice is to get in quickly.

Thick, sweet myrrh. Vintage Shalimar slivers, placed upon an airy lemon meringue. Opulence like it used to be and smell. Bengale Rouge is a lovechild of the past with a nod to the future, and is giving some serious competition to my beloved Salome! The star is the myrrh. Thick, chewy, molten, glazed myrrh, like you rarely smell. Not smoky, incense like, but rather comforting and evocative of La Belle Époque. Airy but rich, served upon a silver platter with the finest honeyed rose petals, a dark brooding bergamot and a helping of lemon meringue that inevitably recalls vintage Shalimar parfum circa 1940. There’s also a silver ray of freshness that recalls the lavender used in Jicky, although I could be just imagining it. The vanilla takes on a smokier approach, rum like but never cloying or sickly sweet. There’s not a trace of gourmandise, just the tease of it, but never materializing. And like every perfume that smells like real perfume, an innate warmth that radiates and pulsates from the skin. Civet traces along Liz’s proprietary musk blend, a slight lick of saltiness (real ambergris perhaps) and a gentle creaminess from sandalwood, that recalls the buttery and salty smell of genuine and long gone Indian Mysore. The enveloping sensation of oakmoss of yore picks through, but never steals the show, firstly because of the limited amounts allowed today, and secondly because this is not its show. If Salome was brooding red blooded seduction, then Bengale Rouge is her (his) younger self; naïve, sensual, smart. Playful and welcoming, just like the inspiration for the perfume: the fuzziness and warmth of a Bengal cat. Liz has given us a wonderful creation, one I was prepared to like but ended up loving. Wonderfully tenacious but never intrusive; instead it shimmers on skin for hours, gently scenting you and those near you. I couldn’t be more excited for what comes next, although my next stop will be the mesmerizing and potently green galbanum queen that is Dryad!

Sleek, slinky, silky, sophisticated, sweet, seductive, sinuous - effortless wonder, yet again, from the house of wonders that is Papillon. Absolutely marvellous myrrh: the central mellow, low-pitched purr that makes it really work, without a hint of harsh snappiness or frigid/chemical 'haute luxe' effect it can have in edgier blends. Here all is calm and comfort, relaxation and warmth. The honey is very strongly present, and the overall effect may be too syrupy for some - it's by some distance one of the sweetest scents I even own, much less enjoy - and you might be misled, at first, to find it goopy, or even over-gourmand - but wait. Don't overspray, and give it time - and there is so much more to it. Honey, vanilla and tonka all together may sound like overload, but no - Ms Moore's fine hand, once again, takes control to just the right degree. There's an almost-citric radiance and edge to the top which truly shimmers and glints in the golden light of its top zone - and delicious shades of darkness beneath, maybe a tiny nibble (not bite) of the oakmoss and something darker (and not listed anywhere) which hints at the slightest tinct of cinnamon or clove or other hidden spice. Maybe musk conjuring the furry, animalic presence of something feline. Way more vintagey and more femme and perhaps 'conventional' than my usual suspects, and in its way less experimental than some other Papillons - yet still original AND YET utterly, mind-bendingly wearable, any time, any place. How on earth does she do it? It's magic. While the barnstorming Salome is still the most amazingly sexy feral alleycat scent, yowling with lust on a moonless night, this one is indeed, like its namesake, a beloved, crazily upmarket pedigree beast that winds itself around you and lulls you to a lowered-pulse, but pulsingly alive, place of domesticated bliss. I purr. A gorgeous creature I will curl up with whenever possible. It just hits *all* the pleasure spots.

Whenever we talk about the house of Papillion and Liz's wonderful creations, Salome always take the biggest piece of the cake. I for one, carry different opinion altogether. For me, it is the oriental goodness of Bengale Rouge. Yes, it does remind me of, infact it is definitely inspired by the French Classique, Shalimar by Guerlain. But it has enough differences that makes it non-redundant. For starters, this is much more spicier right in the beginning. I mean, as soon as you spray you are hit with a heavy dose of cloves. But as the juice settles on your skin, you get this rich and slightly animalic honey creating a medicinal effect. Honey, in my opinion, is the most prominent note of entire concoction followed by combination of tonka, vanilla, cinnamon and labdanum which comes together to create an ambery sort of nuance. Now, there is definitely floral elements like rose and jasmine working in the background but are overshadowed by the sweeter elements. Overall tonality of this scent is warm, spicy and ambery. It never turns too animalic but is rather very cozy and cuddly. If idea behind this scent was perfumer's cat and her scent, then i can see this concept in the blend. It is almost furry and like i said very "cuddly". Enough of repeating myself, lets get on the good and important part, the Performance. On my skin, it performs better than any other Papillion i have tried and i have tried almost everything. It has a strong presence for first 3-4 hours then remains as skin scent for 4 hours more. Due to the nature of this scent, i would prefer wearing it on colder months for a full, dynamic effect. Did you notice, i did not draw comparisons with Shalimar? Because it is inspired by the idea of such oriental but does not copy it. So if you like such warm, spicy Orientals then, in my opinion, Bengale Rouge is one of the best in the class.

As a bengal cat owner, i was long eager try this one. A perfume inspired by the beautiful leopard coat and elegance of a bengal cat. Bengale Rouge is a warm, powdery, very cozy spicy amber rose. It opens with a fiery, warm cinnamon like myrrh that is balsamic, almost minty, yet sweet, resinous and syrupy. Soon followed by an iris like, powdery quality and a lush, sweet honeyed rose that adds an extra velvety nuance and warmth. The blend of these materials evokes a comforting, red syrupy, fruity, yet powdery warmth, luxurious and just as hypnotising as a bengals satin like sparkling fur. While it shares some similarities and style with (the modern) shalimar, it is richer and darker, more resinous and syrupy fruit like but just as elegant and timeless. I could wear this anywhere and anytime. On a lazy afternoon at home with my kids, with my bengal curled up on my lap, day to day activities, and even like to wear a light spray to bed from time to time. A few sprays before settling down in the evening wrap me in warmth and put me at ease. It's less about wearing the scent for others now, and more about indulging in a quiet moment of appreciation for beauty and elegance. Though, i keep reaching for it especially when reading or writing. It inspires and seems to put me in a special mood, reflective, almost like it is elevating my creativity and focus. Im certain that if my bengal were human, she would gravitate toward this perfume, just as quickly as she does to the warmth of the single ray of early afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows, as her graceful, self assured personality, quiet authority, and poise are all captured beautifully in this. 9.5/10

I was in a battle between Papillon Bengale Rouge (2019) and Omnia Profumi Ambra (2004). They are 90% similar. Ambra is actually much less balsamic and animalic than the other. I believe Bengale Rouge has a higher oil concentration as it stained shiner and smelled densely richer. Bengale Rouge has a balsamic bergamot-like ambery sweetness in the opening. Ambra is composed of lighter orangey citrus. The sweetness from Bengale Rouge is extremely rich like honey, carnally sticky and animalic. While Ambra carries a more mainstreamed/familiar type of sweetness from amber accord which is lighter and smoother. Both behave pretty much the same way at the top and in heart, the acidic balsamic ambery sweetness are in their veins until the end, but at the dry down, they declares their secret weapons. Ambra unleashes this very bit of mentholated/minty geranium which kinda prevents the fragrance from going into a boring plain ambery vanilla. As for Bengale Rouge, it bursts out this warm spicy honey sweetness with a depth that may have been enhanced by the roses. Each waft is rich and grande. Both easily lasts over 8 hours. Bengale Rouge is almost 2.5 more than Ambra at a retail price, but either one definitely is worthy. Bengale Rouge (2019) may have been very much inspired by Ambra (2004). It is like Sue from The Substance, who is more refined, edgier and carnally desiring, while Ambra is Elisabeth, who is authentically poised and the other things but less in comparison to a newer thing.

So I have quite an exhausting regime of reviewing obligations now but would never reject Fragrantica over other platforms. I sometimes use the same review here as elsewhere and sometimes I try to find new things to say. In the instance of Bengale rouge, it's not difficult because of how seamlessly brilliant this composition is. Liz Moores has done it again, using the cozy fur of her Bengal cat as inspiration for this perfume. Imagine all the most opulent things you could stick into a perfume? The best of Oriental and Chypre offerings, nods to fantastic vintage perfumes and materials that inherently make you let out an audible, sigh of satisfaction? Yeah you just imagined Bengale Rouge. It's soft and sensual but with underlying power and here's how it develops. For me the opening smells heavily of citrus (maybe bergamot or lemon?) vanilla, benzoin and loads of labdanum, it's almost cruder and more Indy like than the smoother Guerlain's it's compared to and did have me wondering a little to begin with...is this really as refined? Fears are allayed when the heart of rose, earthy and medicinal elements of myrrh and oakmoss temper the sweetness into a smooth sandalwood dominated orris and hay like tonka/coumarin smoothness in the base. It's inspired stuff and reinvigorates the classical genres with clear nods to Jicky and Shalimar, Coty Emaraude but also Chanel Egoiste and Bois des Iles but simultaneously managing to have more Indy personality to it. I love it....It's magic!

Bengale Rouge has a bit of a Serge lutens look, but less daring and more conservative. (It's a British brand after all) To describe it specifically, it is probably a rich and sweet syrup, with the feeling of cola (oriental) after the bubbles have subsided. Bengale Rouge is like red clay with no edge underfoot. stretched far into the distance. I wrote down key words such as resin, aroma, myrrh, vanilla, amber, ginger, patchouli, cinnamon, pepper, etc. on the notepad one after another. According to the perfumer, there is also a special kind of ambergris in it. After identifying the top notes, according to my usual thinking logic, the base notes will basically be benzoin, vanilla or tonka bean. Most of the oriental tunes do this. Its animality is used to imitate the fur of a Bengal cat. After a while, Bengale Rouge is again less sweet. I was pleasantly surprised by the aroma of cinnamon. Achieving this level is not easy. Bengale Rouge's instant burst is powerful, and the scent is subdued after that (varies from person to person) is an oriental note with gourmet imagery. At first, like a roller coaster, Bengale Rouge rushes into the sky, but it's actually not exciting at all. No seat belt? Rest assured, you will return safely.

This is simply amazing, what a scent! Please excuse my ignorance wrt Shalimar, vintage or otherwise. I do not have a pullback to Shalimar, but this to me conjured up wearing CK Obsession for Men a LOT in the 80's. I read the references to Aramis JHL, and wore a bottle of that also in those days, but I can't recall specific accords. Spicier and sharper than Obsession was then, as I recall, with a more variable scent journey perhaps; against a beautifully smooth CK blend. For me this is better - more definitive and charismatic, and much more interesting. Just wait for those spices to blend into the vanilla over time, and the animalic tail to move around like a cat's in the dry down. With every wear I'm getting that tobacco more (or at least a pronounced cinnamon/nutmeg), which makes me think I won't bother replacing my PdM Herod as it draws to an end, for Autumn. Sexy in it's own way. Superb. Unisex, but I actually find this leans slightly masculine based on my experience. No problems at all wearing this in any season, just manage the spray number and bod locale, and consider the ambience - this is a winner and one of my faves from Papillon. A big love for me - full bottle is already bought.

I once had an opulent Bengal cat of gleaming gold and fabulous presence. He was highly intelligent, elegant and self-determined; a free spirit who figured out how to open closed doors by leaping onto the handles in a full-on assault truly amazing to witness. If only he hadn't learnt how to let himself outside, he'd still be around. Bengale Rouge is a rich, opulent homage to feline beauty, although it would be gorgeous without the feline association. I get a honeyed myrrh with a hugely potent blast of something vaguely petroleum on opening, but it mellows quickly into a softly-spiced honey-myrrh with a hint of vanilla within minutes. This is linear and never develops beyond it's initial presence. It remains honeyed-myrrh, vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood throughout, with only a trace of a floral note about 10 minutes in, rapidly buried under the vanilla. It feels like a perfume created from natural ingredients and has that volatility unique to natural ingredients, although it lasts well on my skin. Very lovely. Distillation: memories of Ra warmly spirited perfume radiating gold

I get it! The myrrh is the brown grassy smell, its the main player. The honey is bigger player. Myrrh and honey like master blaster in madmax movie. This fragrance is earthy, brown, fresh, chilled freshness, brown damp grass undergrowth. The honey tame the would-be cold soil smell and add warmth. The honey and vanilla make the rose soft, thick, green. This very woody, little church woody, straw woody. Tonka prolly adding to woodiness and the tobacco-like spice add to churchiness. Sometimes i get cinnamon and dough smell mixed with fresh dirt and fresh chilled green, not a bad smell. This perfume smell different everytime i wear it. 14AUG2024 update: This very musky animalic. This is super strong Animalic! notes from website: Sandalwood. Turkish Rose. Honey. Vanilla. Sweet Myrrh. Also website read golden fur [ie. Musk], Honey, Sandalwood, Sweet Myrrh, Rose, Oakmoss, musk, caramel, tonka. HONEY FELL ON FUR SET ON woody SANDALWOOD dipped in sometimes juicy MYRRH PASTE other times dusty MYRRH WOOD from church sometimes waft clean soapiness other times dirty FUR.

Bengale Rouge exemplifies the seriously impressive ingenuity and talent Liz Moores holds as a self-taught perfumer. It’s inspired by the scent of her Bengal cat, whose warm, fuzzy fur is often imbued with the muffled cocktail of Liz’s many perfumes rubbing off as they cuddle. Whilst this is quite a niche and far-fetched idea, there’s something wholesome about it. This is a myrrh scent through and through, if you don’t like myrrh then don’t even bother with this. The myrrh is intensely dry, thick, dense and gummy, like a chewy, spicy wall and warmth complemented by the sharpness of rose. This is beautifully balanced by a smooth base of orris, woods and vanilla. Fragrantica lists honey, but this is not one of the official notes - but I understand where it comes from. It definitely has a sappy, honeyed effect. This is easily the best myrrh scent I’ve ever encountered, it’s so incredibly cosy and comforting. Definitely worth checking out, and easily one of the best from the house, this is a must have for me.

On my skin and to my nose, I smell a very prominent note of Opoponax (Sweet Myrrh) from the very opening to the base instead of Myrrh as listed here in the notes pyramid. I also detected hints of Orange Zest and warm spicy Cinnamon here and there and that kind of reminded me of Christmas. When the Honey note shows up in the heart, the Opoponax note seemed to have been neutralized a little by it, giving room for the Rose to peek through that sweet spicy resinous ambery scent. At the same time, that Orange Zest nuance becomes more noticeable along with a warm Amber accord in the base. That Amber accord probably came from the combination of Opoponax, Honey, Sandalwood and Vanilla. On my cooler than average skin, Bangale Rouge seemed to smell quite linear but when I paid more attention to it, I noticed that it did have some subtle and slow developments. Bangale Rouge definitely is a winter scent for me as it gives me that warm feeling that I want to wrap around myself with it in the cold winter nights.

This is dreamy juice. I admit I'm a life long cat lady and love this stuff. Fellow cat people will also purr when they smell this. I totally get why some sniff vintage Shalimar. I do as well at the start but it soon fades. This sexy Felix softly brushes their tail seductively across your skin. A sensuous kitty kiss. This is one rich, well blended beauty. It smells animalic to me but an easy to wear animalic. I'm usually very wary of animalic scents. There is nothing pissy here. I find it hard to pick out myrrh, tonka, honey or rose. Sandalwood is easier. All my favourite notes masterfully melded together to create a warm, soft beast. This is not a scent for work wear! This is a unisex love elixir. It acts like a stealthy magnet. A glossy black panther stalks you with the aim of being petted. It's deep throaty purr passes right through your stroking hands to your whole body. Sexy stuff! The perfect scent for cold weather wear. Phenomenal longevity and good sillage. Sniff it if you dare 🐱

My admiration for the house of Papillon began with my Salome decant. This brand holds such an emotional and intimate collection. Wearing their fragrances feels like stepping into a spiritual dream. When I smelled Bengale Rouge, the very first thing that came to mind was, “this would make an amazing holiday perfume” Despite the 100°F weather, it instantly made me happy. It smells like a romantic mountain lodge of a wealthy soul. And—maybe it's just me—but there's this soft baby-like scent meets with balsamic woody note that lingers on my cat after she grooms herself, and somehow this perfume reminds me of that. I get whiffs of creamy, spiced milk like salep with cinnamon and it makes me so nostalgic. As someone who sees those cuddly, entangled moments with my cat as a kind of meditation, I blind-bought a full bottle of Bengale Rouge without ever smelling it. I thought “If someone created something that values those kinds of moments, I will probably understand them.” And I was right.

I cant get over how much I like this. I grew up with my mom wearing Shalimar and Cinnabar. And she wore them! Since she wore them so heavily I grew a distaste for these vintage fragrances that kick you in the face. This reminds me of those fragrances BUT I love it. Thick sweet myrrh. This is what velvet feels like. A really thick dense red silk velvet. This is what Christmas smells like at the Breakers mansion in Newport RI. Red tablecloths, gold lined plates, sterling flatware, spices, elegant ballgowns, tall ceilings and thick red curtains. This isnt a projector which is great since it could easily become too much in hotter weather. Not a sexy fragrance either. Just an opulent rich fragrance to be worn in the coldest months. My husband doesnt like it because it is vintage, but to me it is so much more rounded and not as sharp. For me this is on my list because it is soo beautiful. Hell I wonder if my mom would split a bottle with me! Lol!

Oh Salome, beautiful Salome... Forgive me, for you my dearest have been dethroned by your very own... The moment our local listing for Papillon dropped, I knew I had no time to waste, something told me to take a chance and go in for Bengale Rouge instead of Salome (in spite of the fact that I had actually tested Salome), but after all, I prefer orientals to chypres... Let me tell you this has been my absolute favourite blind buy this year... When BR was a wee little baby, it was probably Shalimar who cradled her, perhaps it was Youth Dew who nurtured her, maybe it was Opium who taught her how to strut... In time though, she's all grown up, all woman, a girl no more, she flashes you a coy smile and plays with your senses as a siren would... It is Liz's vision come to life and in dedication to her feline familiar Mimi, boy am I glad she decided to share this sensuous elixir with the rest of us.

Reminiscensce of Shalimar, an ode to fuzzy creature - a master of pleasure - in a form of eternal lasting oriental drydown. Such a wonderful, alluring concept and masteful execution. Mostly I get flashes of antiquity (myrrh), resinous warmth (labdanum, benzoin) and some latent sweetness (vanilla, tonka, honey) that never prevails, as well as some smoky and leathery nuances I feel only when in colder environment. There are some fleeting, mysterious notes I can only smell briefly, in particular stages (rose). Opposed to this complexity/appearance of notes, this to me still feels like a more modern, polished/less retro-style creation of Liz Moores. Similarity to Shalimar is adding certain patina and I really don't think that such powerful association works in favour of this beautiful, young perfume. Regardless of that Shalimaresque "elephant in the room", I am enjoying this cozy cat immensely.

Quite frankly the best amber-centered scent not only in my collection, but my favorite amber-centered scent in general. If this scent is inspired by her pet cat, then her cat must be nothing short of ferocious, captivating, and distinctive rolled into one! The wave of citrus and spices hitting you on initial blast draws you in instantaneously while the incense and honey begins to slowly envelope you into the world of "bengale rouge". The vanilla and woodsy notes serve as the final phase of this fragrance's lifeline after embarking on this journey 10+ hours later. In a current world of amber-filled perfumery, it's quite nice to see a brand like papillon create something with a vintage, yet modern feel that's suitable for both sexes. My only gripe with this fragrance is the weather is currently 'warming up', so that means I'll have to WAIT before I get the change to open it again :(

Sweet and thick and dark. Myrrh was my first thought – and I’m right, checking the notes online! Tonka is the other major note to my nose; the sweetness is much more that complex tonka scent than an easy vanilla sweetness (thus I don’t quite get the associations with Shalimar that some do). It feels a bit kinky and a bit heavy. After a while, I swear some cinnamon surfaces, though that’s not in the notes. I would believe some rose is in there too; the same dark sweet rose as in Papillon’s other scents, like Salome. There is nothing crisp or green or fresh; it is all naughty, shadowy, possibly sinister, definitely sweet-tasting things. I’ll need some time to figure it out, but I do like it. If it’s like Salome and Dryad, I’ll end up loving it upon further acquaintance. Papillon’s scents tend to take some time for me to parse, but they’re so worth it.

I love this – I received a sample and once I tried it, I was hooked and ended up getting a bottle. I get why people say it reminds them of Shalimar (which I also have) however this is deeper, spicier, richer. Like Shalimar, it smells different on me every time I wear it. Today it’s spice and rose and a soft powdery vanilla – I keep getting wafts of the rose and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I don’t know why, it but feels so comforting every time I smell it. This is the second scent I have from this line (I also have Salome, which I adore). This, like Salome, makes me think of the big 80’s style perfumes. Liz Moore is brilliant at what she does and deserves mad props for the stunning scents she creates. I am now eyeing off the rest of her collection. There are some perfumes that I will always keep in my stable, and this is definitely one of them.

I knew from the notes that it would smell old fashioned (even though it came out in 2019), but I love it. It was inspired by the creator’s bengale cat, and yes, this is exactly what I was expecting. I know the creator's cat was a bengale, but this is what a fluffy, sassy white queen of a cat would wear if it wore perfume. The main notes feel like myrrh and rose, but the myrrh blends with the rose in a way that it’s not a rose perfume. The tonka makes is super powdery. All the other notes listed are there as minor players that blend without overwhelming. The honey is not sweet but complementary. The vanilla and sandalwood don't stand out but harmonize. I can see why people compare it to Shalimar, as it is in the same category of powdery old-fashioned fragrances, but they're cousins, not siblings. This was a comfortable immediate love for me.

Bengale Rouge, inspired by perfumer Liz Moore’s cats, is a cuddly, warm vanilla Oriental, the kind they call a “comfort scent.” There’s no spice listed in the notes, but I got a phantom effect of sweet gingerbread spices in the opening, blended with rich resins and vanilla and what seems to be a touch of civet. This feels like the same basic genre as Youth Dew and Tabu, the classic spicy-sweet Orientals. (I don’t get the comparison to Shalimar, which is really a much smokier, more angular scent.) Bengale Rouge isn’t really original — I don’t think it does anything that Youth Dew didn’t do just as well — and this isn’t normally a style of perfume I’m drawn to. But the execution is lovely. Soft, cozy, monochrome, in shades of amber and tortoiseshell. Someone is baking something tasty, the teakettle is on, and there’s a kitty in your lap.

Papillon, as a brand, conjures rich fantasies, vivid imagery, and nuanced narratives, in the same way Serge Lutens does for me. So to relegate a review to mere notes feels like doing it a disservice, but I must. The note listed above is myrrh, but the note highlighted on the box is sweet myrrh, aka opoponax. Opoponax has a rounder, more honied or even caramelized sweetness than its more herbal, astringent cousin, and while I know taking listed notes too literally is a silly game in perfume world, I think this distinction may help anyone trying to make sense of this warm, sweet but not exactly sugary, elixir. How can something with this sort of sweetness still feel so sophisticated? She may lean gourmand in essence, but transcends any such labeling. Who needs something so literal when we have imaginations?

Beautiful Bengale Rouge. So seductive. When I wear this, I feel like a Bengal tigress prowling deep in the jungle, stalking. Tigers differ from other big cats because they are known to toy with their prey. You won't see her coming until it's too late. Her green eyes will mesmerise you as she pounces and devours you, savouring every bite. Add a small spritz of Tyger Tyger onto your collarbone and the kitty is ready to play. Honestly, they layer so well. The animalic undertone in Tyger Tyger lends a sense of warm cat fur into the mix. It's perfectly unisex, and even better when worn with your significant other on a cosy night in on a fur rug, lying by an open fire. Performance is great (I get a solid 8 hours on skin before it begins to fade). Silage is moderate to strong. Full bottle worthy.

This is simply fantastic! It is so spicy and delicious (not in a gourmand way). I love dark, spicy fragrances and this is the first one that has the right ingredients/mix that lands exactly where I want it. I am assuming it must be the Myrrh (I will need to try more Myrrh fragrances to see). It is a mix of Middle Eastern/Far Eastern spices that send me back to my childhood. Many people say "X will remind you of the incense they used to burn in church", but this is the first one to send me back to my Catholic Orthodox grade school days and the burners they used in mass. 2bClare below is spot on in that regard. Nothing spicy in my collection comes close to matching this in how it appeals to me in that regard. I could smell like this every day!

One of the strongest, shockingly loud openings in recent memory so only do one spray (I’m testing from a lucky scent dauber vial). It’s a honey sweet, musk scent even though musk is not listed. Dry down is stunning with vanilla peeping out from behind the curtain with an overall deep amber smoothing out the composition. This is not a perfume for a shy person though. You will need to be in a certain mood, one of warmth and closeness. I don’t think of animal fur, but I do think of an opulent bedroom den with thick satin sheets and dark mahogany wood. The only light comes from the Victorian fireplace. Would love to have this in my collection, it would stay with me forever.

It is chilly outside. While the apple cake with vanilla and bitter almond is baking in the oven, you prepare a pan of tea with honey and a dash of rum. In the bar cabinet you discover that bottle of aged rum for festive occasions. You remove the cork and take a deep breath. The scent of the spicy rum tickles the nose intensely and for a long time. Det är kyligt ute. Medan äppelkakan med vanilj och bittermandel gräddas i ugnen, förbereder du en panna med te med honung och en skvätt rom. I barskåpet upptäcker du flaskan med lagrat rom för festliga tillfällen. Du får av korken och drar in ett djupt andetag. Doften av den kryddiga rommen kittlar intensivt och länge i näsan.

Bengale Rouge has crept up on me. The first time I tried this I felt this was too thick, too sweet, too orangey (the myrrh, I think?) in the opening. But for some reason this scent has lodged itself into my brain, and I crave it now that it's very cold and the nights are dark. I am still not sure if it really fits me, but I love wearing this at home, especially while reading or watching films in bed during the weekend. It feels comforting but also interesting and complex and opulent. Not unlike my relation with cats, I like Bengale Rouge all the more for not taking to me immediately. She stands on her own.

This is the entire Holiday season in a bottle for me. The mixture of myrrh and honey reminds me so much of the smell of warm mulled wine with slices of orange floating in it. Sweet, resinous bliss. It is hands down one of the greatest ambers I have in my collection. Like @Vanillastorm40, I also don't see the comparisons with Shalimar. It's nothing like it. Bengale Rouge is wearing your favourite snuggly jumper on Christmas eve as you sit by an open fire sipping some mulled wine. It is just stunning. Performance is beast mode. I get many hours of wear from two sprays.

This is bar none without a doubt the most beautiful fragrance I have ever smelled. It really puts things into perspective for me and makes me question why I have accumulated and spent so much money on fragrances that don't give me a fraction of the pleasure this one does. I'm not a backup bottle type of guy but for this perfume I'll definitely consider doing so. It's a miracle a scent like this has even come out in recent times let alone in the last few years because it's smells so old world but not in a negative way. It's smells like a relic of the past

Opens quite similar to Rochas Femme - fruity and spicy, dark and rich. However it loses the Christmas cake sweetness of Femme and gains something animalic and resinous. There are comparisons to Hiram Green's Slowdive, but I find Slowdive far more a true honey scent than this, though some of the spicy sweetness appears in both. I have a Bengal cat, and if she could wear a perfume this would definitely be it. Has a musk in the dry down that is reminiscent of Kiehl's and Serge Lutens MKK, but the dry down also reminds me of Serge Lutens Chergui. Gorgeous.

I just need to say that I'm LIVING for this drydown! This is honestly superb. Beautifully done and unexpected! Like everyone else has said, the mixture of these notes creates this gorgeous "spice" blend, but it's smooth and ever so slightly powderish. I am absolutely getting cinnamon from these notes playing together - like I'm inhaling true cinnamon spice, minus any sneezing that would otherwise occur. There is the animalic facet to this too, but it really ties this whole potion together. It truly is enchanting! Edit: This has lasted 12+ hours on me.

A beautiful love letter to vintage Shalimar in the dry down imho, and I do mean vintage. Bengale Rouge is a work of art. I could swear the opening smells like dried orange slices at Christmastime. Morphs into a deep Shalimar'esque divinity in the dry down. Stunning. Just stunning. Hat's off to Liz Moore, she's not fucking about. One of the greatest perfumers in recent times next to the exceptionally talented Mona Di Orio. If you enjoy Shalimar, Opium or Obsession you should love this. Performance is nothing short of exceptional either.

I bought a sample of this fully believing it will have similar vibes to Tyger Tyger, but to my surprise this has officially dethroned Tonka Cola as my favourite cola scent. How this happens I have no idea. Compared to Tonka Cola, this is much less sugary, more fizzy and ambery. This is the OG cola they serve in the 1940s diners that still has real coke in it. Enormous projection, I can currently smell my test strip from across the room. The drydown gets more chewy and ambery like it's supposed to, and my goodness is it such a treat.

The best gourmand you'll ever smell. Now I must say that smelling this on a testing strip, it smelled like candied orange peels backed by dark spices and I was a big fan. However, spraying this around my neck it morphed into a realistic cinnamon roll-like fragrance glazed with a realistic honey note. I don't know how this happened but everyone around me loved it and I loved it as well. Be careful though I made some of my co-workers hungry at work because it's a pretty realistic gourmand. Delicious 10/10

The perfumer's Bengal cat was the inspiration for this fragrance. Bengale Rouge smells transparent and reddish gold. It is spicy and gooey, but not sweet. The myrrh is making it smell ancient, calling back to the ancestors of our feline friends; the ones who lived in Egypt and protected agriculture from rodents. The overall impression of Bengale Rouge is touchable, sleek, and warm. Yes, I do detect somewhat of a blueprint from Shalimar. This is much softer. This cat is showing belly.

Of all the Papillon fragrances this one doesn't feel quite finished, and yet the power is there. I definitely get feline. Predominant notes are labdanum and honey. Sensual powerhouse. I love how Liz Moores is bringing the bold individualism to this sea of aromachemical conformity that is modern perfumery. Intellectually Dryad and Angelique have better execution, but emotionally Bengale Rouge gets me. Second favorite after Anubis. Sillage and longevity both powerful.

Bought a 5ml decant of this and I'm loving it. A very rich, long-lasting fragrance. At the beginning, it's very spicy, resinous and smoky. After the dry-down the fragrance becomes softer, with honeyed aspects. I'm smelling my wrist all day, it is that good. I bought it during summer and thought that it would be maybe too cloying in the hot, humid weather, but no, it wears beautifully. Unfortunately, my partner doesn't like it at all, so I won't buy a full bottle. :/

Nearly didn’t try this because I don’t like rose on me, but the note remains a subtle part of a genius composition rather than coming forward. This perfume smells like a raisin danish and I mean that as a compliment! It did remind me on second spray of cola, an association I didn’t enjoy, but I layer it now with Maya Njie’s vanilj which reduces the cola note and adds some cardamom to this delicious pastry. It’s also v strong and lasts forever!

It wasn't love at first sniff, but I did fell in love after a few wearings. Opulent and sparkling myrrh enveloped with honey and cinnamon powder. It conjures to my mind earthy tones, maroon hues, and tinges of burgundy. It has a vintage vibe and it reminds me of Opium (the myrrh!). It's an exquisite beauty that reminds me both of a jewel and of velvet - it's the kind of perfume an Old Hollywood Star would wear.

Bengale Rouge by Papillon Artisan Perfumes This is one of the best vanilla scents ive smelled. If i would describe the scent in 3 words it would be Sweet, Elegant, Old money. Its starts off pretty sharp and citrussy (Bergamot) but after its dried down its a 10/10 just give it 15 mins. The price and quality is amazing too i wouldve paid more too if the price was higher it really is that good.

smells like a french bakery at first but as it dries it reminds me of a mom and pop ice cream shop with red walls, a jukebox, coke signs, elvis posters, the blues brothers, 1950 aesthetic with pinball machines and original hershey's branding displayed around the store. with a furry friend running around the store and handmade baked goods for sale at the register.. dreamy

This is artisan perfumery at it's best. This is a sexy fragrance but also has class and is blended to perfection. The amber and vanilla seduce you and hug you with it's warm sweetness. I can't recommend this enough, it's a fantastic introduction to niche fragrance for anyone new to them, I can't imagine any fragrance enthusiast not liking this, it's beautiful.

This is outstanding. Balsamic sweet musky tonka, very silky and smooth. I find this very comforting. I also love smelling my cat’s fur and I can see what the perfumer was trying to do with the impression of a clean and warm animal. I have a strong impression of physical heat when I apply this perfume. Lots of love for this line, I am so far liking everything.

I reach for this on cold damp days because it's just so full of warmth. I could swear I smell oranges, cloves and cinnamon in the opening, even though no such notes are listed. It is somewhat akin to mulled wine or hot winter punch, and it is marvellous. Performance is fantastic. Full bottle worthy. Papillion fragrances are all amazing.

Rich, gourmand honey notes. Great projection and having a sweet bubble. I love it. On my clothes for days. DAYS. DAYSSSSS. Update: i adore this one. The others smell like I would wear to make people avoid me. And even my friends tell me BR is beyond their acceptance but I love turkish rose, vanilla, and honey.