Ysayo

The brand presents Ysayo as "L'Essence du Samouraï" (The Essence of the Samurai) and invites the user to enter the universe of the so-called Green Samurai: a world where earthy greens meet purple tones, and where brute force and refinement coexist. Fortunately, the perfume delivers exactly what it promises. From the first seconds, Ysayo makes it clear that it does not intend to follow the codes of modern green perfumery. There is no transparent freshness of current aromatics here, nor the almost aseptic cleanliness often associated with the concept of nature. Ysayo's green has texture, depth, and roots. Galbanum emerges immediately, displaying its resinous, vegetal, and slightly bitter character. Around it, white artemisia and blue chamomile amplify the sensation of living vegetation, while saffron introduces an elegant dryness that accompanies the entire evolution of the fragrance. From the beginning, Ysayo reveals an animalistic and wild side; it is more earth than air. As it evolves, celery oil takes center stage, providing a unique aromatic signature with herbal, spicy, and woody nuances. Geranium, thyme, and jasmine help connect the green opening to the earthy depth of the base. Nothing seems decorative; each ingredient contributes to building a very particular atmosphere. Throughout its evolution, the fragrance conveys the sensation of walking through a damp forest after the rain. Not a romanticized forest, but a real environment, where decaying leaves coexist with new shoots and the earth exudes warmth. This impression becomes even more evident when we reach the base. There is a protagonist that underpins virtually the entire structure of the fragrance: patchouli. And it's not just any patchouli. According to the company, a large part of the formula is composed of a special quality from the province of Aceh, in northern Sumatra, obtained through an extremely controlled process and considered a true "Grand Cru" by L'Atelier Français des Matières, which specializes in rare and extremely high-quality ingredients. The patchouli in Ysayo does not present the excessive rusticity or darkness found in so many compositions. Here it emerges refined, multifaceted, and elegant. Haitian vetiver, Javanese vetiver, labdanum, and leather amplify this sensation, building a dry, sophisticated, and deeply textured niche base. Ysayo demands attention. It is a fragrance that requires time and reveals new facets with each use. It is not a perfume of seduction or approval, but of identity. One of those that seems to say more about the wearer than about the perfume itself. For me, Ysayo directly engages with the great green and leathery masculine fragrances of the 1970s and 1980s, drawing on references such as Aramis, Antaeus, and the classic green chypres of yesteryear, revisited from a contemporary perspective. A true ode to perfumery and one of Puredistance's most pleasant surprises in recent years. At the end of the experience, the image of the samurai proposed by the brand makes perfect sense. Not because of the obvious association with strength or combat, but because of something much more interesting: discipline.

So so so buttery smooth! Loving vintage Aramis, Antaeus, Bandit...I was expecting to be amazed. And I was, but after the opening salvo. The first minutes bring out a roasted/sweet smokiness. I wasn’t prepared for that and I kept wondering where the promised galbanum and leather were. Peek-a-boo and voila! 30 minutes in, I’m greeted with the smoothest and most buttery homage to the vintage beauties mentioned above! My skin brings forth the most similarity to Aramis; butch leather meets gardenia and powder. Here, minus the gardenia, I get the leather and galbanum seen through a haze of black and white pictures. It bridges the gap of bringing this style back without falling in the modern standard of aromachemicals. If they’re there, they’re imperceptible. Quality on par with some indie and niche houses that put artistry, love and time above anything (Papillon comes to mind) and without catering to CEO’s. Damn, wish it weren’t so expensive...

Antoine lie.. never fails to amaze. Pure distance I find are akin to Roja, where every scent is so balanced and nuanced that nothing stands out (in a good way) you just get exactly what they're trying to project.. in this case, a samurai in a forest. You can smell the leather, the forest, the green and yet it is so buttery smooth there is an elegance, ease and complexity all mixed through. Pure distance is certainly one of my top brands and Antoine lie is probably my favorite perfumer of all time. You won't get better than this for this type of scent. Buy it, enjoy it, it's worth every dollar.

I just received a sample: I can pick out wormwood, patchouli, heavy vetiver and leather. Nods to Aramais, antaeus, azzaro pour homme. Feels Classic yet new. Very easy to wear. I see a bottle In my future. Well done Antoine