Cuirelle

I am captivated by Cuirelle. I received a sample as part of Olfactif's November '13 "Leather" collection, and let me just say, for the first time, there is nary a dud in the bunch. Cuirelle opens with a fleeting (and frightening)blast of incense that lasts, thankfully, mere moments. From there, the incense is joined by balanced touches of bourbon, very light patchouli, a tamed olibanum, and just a mere hint of cedar. It is not like the cedarbomb Tzora, which left me feeling like a lumberjack. Later, the hint of cinnamon and slightly sweet beeswax, joined peeps through. The leather Typically, I don't care for boozy or sweetish scents, often finding them overwhelming and cloying. However, Cuirelle avoids this trap, and while it does have a brief mid-wear impression of feeling "perfumish", the bourbon vetiver blends with the other woodsy notes to give a silky suede impression, which is why, I suppose Olfactif lists this one in their leather collection, despite the fact that leather really isn't listed as a scent note. This is a true unisex scent--on me it feels feminine without being flowery. I could see it playing equally nicely on men, and would love to try it out on my husband to see what it does on him. Very much a thumb's up.

A really interesting fragrance in that it progresses nicely with three distinct phases. Firstly it's a heavy, tobacco and honey/beeswax of something like Chergui or Back to Black. Then it becomes a almost powder like slightly floral version of that honey thing, finally retreating completely to a totally soft leather incense smell. I didn't find it very mind blowing, I do like the way it transitions and as someone who isn't a fan of honey or beeswax this has just the right balance. I wasn't convinced by it, longevity and sillage weren't there for the price point. The concept and quality are clearly there but it doesn't deliver performance and that is critical here. Chergui doesn't change as much as this one and has that hay note and arguably a stronger honey note however that lasts. Shame, I'm beeen meaning to sample Ramon's work but perhaps this wasn't the best one to start with.

One of the few honey scents that don't go public bathroom on my skin. On me, Cuirelle reads "honeyed iris suede." The vetiver is likely the culprit for the iris-like note I'm getting. This scent is linear on my skin - what I get at the top is what I get at the base with only minor variation. Towards the dry-down, I get a bit more vetiver and "leather," and less florals. Close wearing, which is fine by me. Not particularly long lasting, which is also fine by me. The whole accord is very clever, and I am a sucker for floral suede scents. I'd probably spend my full bottle money on SL Daim Blond or Chergui, but this is worth a try if you can get your hands on a decant and love creamy suede scents.

Yes! I'm in love!! Got a few extra samples with my purchase of Xerjoff Ivory route...this was one. On skin, I'm getting a ultra niche version of Carolina ch men. Like a sweet leather and wood that's just amazing. If this stuff doesn't take a bad turn, which I highly doubt that it's in its dry down stage, I will have to get a bottle. This is just a first impression, but when you know, you just know. It's amazing :) I really want to try more from this house..the quality of the juice is just amazing!!!!

Cuirelle: Notes include honey, Somalian incense, Indonesian patchouli, Bourbon vetiver, green cedarwood, musk, cinnamon and extract of beeswax. A honey scent that works on me! Hallelujah! Honey can go so wrong on me (like Miel de Bois) or it can be love (like Back to Black). Cuirelle is a honey scent that evokes an illusion of leather, sweet leather. Woody and spicy notes combine to create a leather drenched in golden honey. A true beauty!