Komorebi 9.1

I am writing this review because nobody commented on how PERFECTLY named this fragrance is. I initially ordered the discovery set. This line has a very distinct signature to the bouquet, that doesn’t smell like any other fragrance line I am familiar with. Although sold as unisex, most of them smell very masculine to me. This one (as well as Poudre de Riz, Manguier Metisse, and L’Eau de Circe, which are most similar to Komorebi) leans more unisex with hint of feminine. At first I thought it was still more masculine than I care to wear, but I found myself draining the sample, ordering another, and draining it too, (and another) so I am about to order a full bottle. ☺ For Komorebi, I don’t smell any of the individual scents for more than a fraction of a second. They waft in and out of each other, and never so individually/unblended that you can identify them before they drift away again. It is enchantingly lackadasical, clean, and muted chiarascurro. One of my happiest memories in my life was wearing this perfume for the first time while walking my dogs in an autumn forest in the late afternoon with that komorebi lighting effect and the aptly-named fragrance to compliment it. It was just such a pefectly curated moment. So exquisite. Perfect name for the fragrance.

Reviewing a bottle from 2024. Komorebi 9.1 was launched in 2018. This is a lovely transparent green herbal fragrance. Komorebi opens with smooth natural mint (not at all toothpaste) followed by herbal florals- mimosa and reseda or mignonette, which smells sweet, floral, and green, often with violet and fruity, strawberry-like notes. I cannot detect the blackcurrant or any fruitiness. The base is subtle mostly tonka and musk. No definite hazelnut accord. This is very atmospheric and I can see the desired effect of sun through deciduous trees on a warm humid day. Quality- excellent Unisex Performance- average; stays close and lasts only about 4 hours. Komorebi 9.1 is a serene fragrance. Softly green on a vanillic tonka base. Perfect for daytime for all seasons. My only wish is for it to have better performance. For this I would suggest a similar but perhaps less elegant fragrance from Perfumane called Greeny Blend. 8/10

Alright then, Komorebi is a perfumer's attempt at interpreting a Japanese noun that cannot be translated into any other language. I say he was one element off.... Komorebi doesn't capture sun filtering through trees but noise. And the noise is clamorous and boundless. Every time I spritz this (which is a few times a day, because longevity is 3-4 hours) I start singing 'Jungle Boogie, get down, get down, get down....' This is a quirky, dry woody fragrance that is really pleasing to the nose. It honestly lifts my mood. There is a luminosity that keeps it from fading into the skin and an interplay of notes that keep it from getting boring. Do try it. And get down, get down when you do so.

Fortunate to have discovered this unique independent French scent at a boutique in Bordeaux. To my American olfactory sense, this is a clean, fresh green floral. Immediate note is a vanilla-spearmint, quickly drying down to a soft musky floral with hints of mint. I get no whiff of chemicals - maybe I got a particularly good batch. This sits VERY close to the skin; so, I say it's great for hot weather or settings in which you don't want to give off too much of a scent with normal activity (eg, healthcare settings). Despite the weak silage and mild to moderate longevity, 9.1 will certainly be one of my favorites in my collection.

My favorite from PG, and one of my all-time greatest scent hits. The way the perfumer balances the high and sharp cassis and green notes with the super-low hazelnut (accord?) and woody elements, leaves a magically open and airy scent dancing area in the middle! The accompanying artistic vision for this fragrance - the visuals of light flickering between leaves - takes this fragrance to a supremely divine level. Perfume as Art, indeed.