Patchouli

Before buying this, my only real experience with patchouli was with patchouli incense sticks, which I absolutely couldn't stand. They smelled like a damp, moldy catholic church and I gave them away. After reading/seeing a bunch of reviews, I blind bought this anyway, because I was looking for a moderately sweet, earthy scent, that can be worn for most of the year and this seemed to be just that. Also at this price point it wouldn't be a tragedy if I didn't like it, but fortunately, I do. A lot. There is so much going on in the opening, it's hard to put into words, but basically you're getting hit with a whiskey-like booziness, a dark, earthy patchouli, medicinal, herbal notes and yes, there really is a chocolate cake in this, delicious. Not a sugary sweet one, more like dark chocolate dessert with juuuust enough sweetness to make it tasty. The booziness calms down pretty quick, but it stays to the end and things also get more ambery and woody. To my nose the main players of this fragrance are the dark chocolate cake, amber, booze and obviously patchouli. Something about it also smells like opening a pack of indian or japanese incense. This fragrance really has a certain vibe to it. It reminds me of a warm, rainy evening in spring, being in the woods and smelling the damp earth. Somewhat melancholic, but comforting and calming at the same time. There have been quite a few comments about this fragrance having been refomulated a few years ago and that it's weak now compared to what it was. While I can't compare it to the old formula, I can say this stuff performs very well - especially considering it's an EDT. When I first tried it two days ago, I sprayed it on at around 5:30 pm. It projected decently strong for the whole evening and it was still there the next morning. Waking up to the smell of patchouli in the middle of the night is somewhat spooky lol. In my opinion, this is an exceptional fragrance - natural smelling, unisex, great performance, affordable and even the bottle looks nice. It's not modern, mainstream or a crowd pleaser and I wouldn't wear too much of this in an office or any place where people can't escape you, but for what it is, it's great. Probably won't wear this in the summer heat, but other than that, it's surely gonna get a whole bunch of use. Blind buy success!

I'd be hard pressed to find a more perfect patchouli. It's called Patchouli, and there's lots of it, but it's actually a patchouli amber fragrance with hints of cocoa and coffee. I get no vetiver, but it's blended so perfectly everything comes together as a whole. It definitely opens with a blast of patchouli. Not skanky or hippie, or any of those unflattering adjectives people sometimes use to describe patchouli. The patch in Patchouli is bitter, camphorous and dirty (like dirt in the ground). Slightly mentholated. As it develops it becomes sweeter and rounder, hinting at chocolate and dark roasted coffee. There's booziness in there as well. As the patch eases up, but never leaves, the scent becomes very ambery, probably due to the presence of labdanum, vanilla and balsam. I love it so much. Patchouli elevates my mood unlike anything else. It can be worn dressed up, dressed down, reading a book, on a date. Probably not the best choice for gym or meeting the parents. It's quietly alluring in a "you don't know how good you look" kinda way. Sexy as hell and not trying. My bottle has the beautiful stars on it and says "REM French Riviera Patchouli." From what I gather these bottles were made when Reminiscence were called "REM," and they were a jewelry company. I imagine it's many years old at this point, but I bought it sealed and it smells exceptional. The juice is extremely dark. For a fragrance with juice as dark as this called "Patchouli," some might expect a powerhouse. It isn't. At first blast of patchouli there's a moment it goes straight to your head. Then it pulls back and softens as it develops into a deliciously chocolaty, boozy, amber patchouli fragrance. It was made in the 70's, yet smells like modern niche perfume. This stuff is timeless. I'm so happy to finally have a big bottle of this magical potion in my possession. An all time favorite of mine. I'd wear it year round, especially at night and in cooler temps. No hot weather tho. Everyone around you may not love it, but it's not likely to offend either because it's well blended and not in your face. It lasts all day on my skin and days on clothes. Exceptional for an Eau De toilette, could pass as Eau De parfum. Love love love love! 💋

I was born in the 1990s so I cannot speak to the context of this fragrance, though wearing it today felt like microdosing time travel. Not because it smells particularly dated (unless I really try to see it as a 'women's' fragrance rather than the obvious unisex it is to today's nose), just because it feels comfortingly familiar while also being different from anything I'm actually familiar with. It smells 'young' and unconventional, but established and sensible. Most of all it smells DEEP, like the notes just before they drop out of the register of my ears (well, nose in this case). Resinous and dry, it's not 'patchouli essential oil instead of deoderant' 1970s, but something entirely it's own. I feel like I smell as though I read books with an indifference to genre but a deft instinct for quality. Linear scent, which I don't think is a bad thing. Compared to contemporary perfumes it's almost as though this doesn't have any opening top notes, though you can smell the alcohol when you first apply it and that makes it smell like cherry brandy and amaretto in the air. I did drink a lychee juice whilst wearing this and I think some indie or niche perfumer today could play around with a base similar to Patchouli but overlayed with some sweet lychee and neroli or something. It is still lovely and present but not overpowering at the 7.5 hour mark. In fact, it hadn't really faded since the first hour, so it's similar from the end of the first hour up until about how eight, then fades slightly but still there at 11 hours on skin. I'd be hesitant to put this on clothes as it's a deep red-brown wood colour, and ever so slightly oily. Edit: Second day wearing patchouli, and I am noticing the vanilla and sandalwood much more than yesterday, possibly because it's warmer today and opening the fragrance up a tad. It's actually addictive. It's a completely non-gourmand amberry vanilla. I think that on a feminine woman this would be read as a 'sexy' scent, but on a man or would read more elegant/classy. It becomes a skin scent eventually after a very long presence with projection dependant on application strength, and it sticks for about 16 hours. Unlike anything else I have tried so far.

I bought this on the recommendation of Sebastian (The Perfume Guy) on YouTube. I thought it was high time for me to explore patchouli and like I did when trying Encre Noire in my quest to understand vetiver, I figured I'd do the same and throw myself straight in to the deep end. This is described as "chocolate cakey", "earthy", "boozy" etc. so I knew what to expect and on first sniff, it did not disappoint. It was an instant love for me. This is one of the few fragrances which I can smell or at least get hints of all the listed notes. I won't get in to too much detail regarding the the smell as it's already been done by many before me. At times I get chocolate cake and some vanillic tones as well as syrupy sweetness from the labdanum. Other times I get old barrels of liquor, ashy cedarwood and wet forest soil. It smells very classy all the way throughout and smells at least 5-10x what you paid. It's 100% niche quality. Perfectly fitting for winter and autumn dressed smart or smart/casual. The longevity is in fact eternal! My bottle was acquired in December 2021 so I'm sure it's the most recent formulation- it lasts on skin all day and you can smell it on clothes days after application. But what you get in longevity you seem to lose in projection and that really is the biggest downside to this fragrance. It sits extremely close after this first 1hr so it's highly recommended to apply on fabrics to create some silage. Be careful though, it will stain light clothing due to the dark color of the juice. That being said, it is the kind of scent which you will be able to detect on yourself throughout the day and due to it's polarising scent profile, it may be better that way. Overall a solid 9/10! I also recently acquired a bottle of Patchouli Elixir (2015) with the silver cap. Initial impressions are that this one is extremely similar to the EDT but a tad smoother and with more projection. I will have to test it more and will leave a full review on the page once I get more wearings out of it.

you spray it.. black magic comes out.. engulfs you..scares you for a second..be strong ..take it..then ..you feel earth moves under your feet..it shatters you.. reminds you of your roots.. and where you came from.. and where you will eventually end..it smells like earth.. like wet earth.. so earthy.. ambery.. PATCHOULI.. if you love patchouli.. if you can take the strength of patchouli.. if you have the courage.. and guts.. to take in the essence of life.. and earth.. and all that in between.. you will love this..i have been sweet away in the past ten years.. i was afraid before.. i hated earth.. i was in the clouds.. but i have learned to appreciate the strength of the earth.. and my mother land ..and now i feel like nothing else will do.. when i want to go back to my roots.. i go back to this amazing patchouli.. so serene ..so strong.. so soft.. so nurturing.. just like the earth ..it seriously takes you to other realms of being..it takes you in to the unknown..and what might be beyond what we merely see.. there is something so divine ..almost holly.. almost sacred.. its perfect for meditation.. its so smokey.. full of wonder.. and bliss.. so subtle.. yet so empowering ..it wraps you in a vail of holiness and spirituality..its like.. its full of bliss.. full of history.. heritage.. and dignity.. it smells like a million years .. its an amazing perfume surely for the mature...and not faint of heart..its full of mystery sandalwood.. tonka bean.. and 80% patchouli.. pure bliss...its like for a gypsy fortune teller.. or a guru .. or for some mosque care taker..there is something holy or divine about it.. you can almost smell old geruselim roads in it ..yes it is strong..as strong as earth can be..and as brown as earth can be.. but its also as amazing as the sprouts that bud out of earth can be.. i smell creation.. and eternal.. truth.. and life.. and death.. within its accords.. perfume ratting 4.6 out 5 bottle ratting 4.3 out 5 edt 100 ml spray my personal liking ratting 4.6 out 5

I’ve just bought a 200ml bottle of this little gem for a decent price. It’s the new reformulation and cannot say whether it’s better or worse than the original as I’ve never smelled the latter. What really strikes me first, is the fact it is marketed at women. It is a powerful fragrance that starts on a strong boozy very old mature whisky/cognac note which you would probably find in an old gentleman’s club rather than on a bedroom dressing table. There is a reminiscence of an old barber’ shop which makes it more masculine than feminine. Then it’s not an “in your face” Patchouli version that gives you a headache or churns your stomach because it is too strong. It then evolves after 15 minutes towards a sweet almost coconutty/vanilla direction with a minty touch to make it fresh, airy and almost light (hence why some reviewers complained about the longevity, maybe?) but still very present: in winter it will stay like this, in summer with body heat, it would come back to you when you least expect it to say “I’m still here”. On me, it contains traits of Ambré Lumiere by Molinard and Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens crossed with Mugler’s Angel and Jovan Sex Appeal. Projection? I don’t really care as I spray selfishly for myself first, but I would say decent. Season? All year round. Overall, a great Patchouli scent with a decent projection and sillage and almost a boozy gourmand scent that will respect others around you, and will stay on you all day. Summary: love it and highly recommended !

For a long time I have been looking for a chocolate fragrance that is dry, really dark and absolutely inedible. I am not partial to the contemporary take on chocolate in perfumery, I really dislike chocolate brownies as personal fragrance, etc. I've always enjoyed patchouli in perfumes, especially the raw, earthy variety, so that's what I was expecting when I tested Reminiscence's iconic fragrance in a perfumery. However, I would have never thought that I find my chocolate here! Yes, this is exactly what I was looking for, this abstract, dense, chewy, pitch dark chocolate! It mingles wonderfully with the scent of freshly turned earth (big love!) and some discreet embellishment from woods and tonka beans, but mainly this is chocolatey+earthy patchouli at its very best. I grew up behind the Iron Curtain, which gives me the advantage (one of the few) that I absolutely don't have the headshop association, and can enjoy this lovely perfume for what it is. And enjoying it I do, immensely! Also, Patchouli is a great layering fragrance. Mixed with Nirmala I end up basically with Angel, I can create a lovely rose patchouli with Perfumer's Workshop's Tea Rose, I can use it with my favourite violet perfume to conjure the spring earth under the flowers, etc., the possibilities are probably endless. All in all I find Patchouli a great quality, versatile perfume with good sillage and decent longevity. Highly recommended!

At first, this smells like whisky to me. More like Scotch than Bourbon. There's a little bit of sweetness, but not overly so by any means. Maybe because of the earthiness from the Patchouli for which the fragrance is named. I've never been crazy about patchouli. I've always thought it was okay, and that's all. It makes me think of someone's hippie aunt from when I was a kid. The Vanilla is definitely there. For me, at least. And the longer I've had it on, the more of the Vanilla I smell. I love the way this stuff smells on my shirt, especially after I've worn it outside on a warm day. I know most would probably not agree with that. In my opinion, this is yet another women's perfume from an earlier era (introduced over 50 years ago) that smells more like a scent for a guy. As for it being weaker in its current formulation, I can't really comment because I've never tried a vintage version of it. However, the current version does last plenty long on me, and my skin has a tendency to gobble up fragrances. It doesn't have crazy big longevity, but for me it lasts longer than the majority of frags I've tried. So definitely better than average in that regard. Again, per my experience. Anyway, I'd gladly buy this perfume again. It's reasonably priced, and it introduced patchouli to me in a different way than what I was accustomed to. I like it very much.

Ok, I'm 72 years old, live in California, and therefore have been through several rounds of patchouli fragrances. What Reminiscence Patchouli definitely is not is a hippie fragrance. It is not the old Flash Oils Patchouli, the staple of hippie chicks in the 1960's, of which I am/was one. What it does really remind me of is the old 1950's staple, Tabu by Dana. And not just because both are the color of maple syrup. I have a 1960's era bottle of Tabu, and they really are almost identical. I love Reminiscence Patchouli, and for me it lasts at least 6-8 hours. I bought my bottle on eBay maybe two years ago, and it's the one with the stars on it. I now see they've changed the bottle to one without stars, and I wonder if they've also reformulated the juice. Other reviewers say it only lasts a short time on them. Maybe these reviewers have the newer bottle. I just looked through the list of notes and I'm surprised it doesn't include rose. I'm sure there's some rose in it, not producing anything light or a rosy floral, but taking the edge off the cedar and the balsam. It's a rich, heavy, adult woman fragrance.

I’ve long since reviewed this fragrance, but I had to come back to see if the reformulation tattered it. I’m treasuring the star bottle. It’s been repackaged and allegedly reformulated. 😪. I’ve not smelled the current formulation, but the star bottle is the most delicious earthy chocolatey patchouli. The only perfume I remember my mom wearing growing up was patchouli and it was the hippy headshop patchouli! 😂. She used to put a drop of it on all the lightbulbs in the house so that the heat would disperse it when the lights were on. I used to pretend I was an 1800s barmaid cleaning my room in candlelight! 🤣🤣🤣. Reminiscence Patchouli has a cedar undertone to it so it’s more than just straight up skank. This specific bottle disperses a fine mist, but heaven forbid you spray it on clothing. It turns it the color of regurgitated cemetery soil. 🥲. It’s such a beautiful patchouli! Perfect for layering! Dark, sweet, and warm. Perfect for dessert at the witch’s candy house from Hansel and Gretel.

So divinely enveloping and calming, I absolutely loved the clean balminess of Pathcouli. That's certainly the next best thing to Montale's Patchouli Leaves which I declared as my number one. I'll not compare the two here though. In its own right, Reminiscence's Patchouli is one of the best, cleanest, dreamiest patchouli fragrances you can ever try. No sharpness, no mustyness, no zesty/citrusy or artificial extra notes whatsoever... That's the real stuff (some good quality patchouli oil) which has a distinctive "oily" smell reminding me of pure unadultered olive oil. In this respect it's certainly "exotic", quite Middle Eastern indeed, and I want this exotic to be the norm for me. I feel at home wearing it. Longevity is very good, sillage so surprising: Despite it feels more of a skin scent to me (after many spritz!) people around me smell it well. It's soothing and detectable without being cloying or headache inducing at all for neither parties. *Migraine safe.

I grew up in the late eighties and early nineties when most fragrances were still powerhouses and made a statement. Times have changed and we are in the era of fruit, candy, and cakes barraging our olfactories from every corner. I do love a good sweet smell like the rest of 'em, but I absolutely adore the statement "look at me...SMELL ME" scents (they are still around, but not like before). This is one of them. Patchouli has been used for centuries as a perfume in many cultures worldwide. This fragrance is patchouli done right. It starts off with a cedar masculine note with earthy patchouli coming up behind. The patchouli sneaks in like a slinky cat sitting on its favorite window sill. The scent of milky thick chocolate wafts in beside the patchouli like a 70s hippie with "special brownies" fresh out of the oven. This scent is my all time favorite patchouli hands down!! For all you patchouli lovers, give this bombshell a go!!

I just received Patchouli Reminiscence today, and I've been curious to try it for a while. I've seen several YouTubers rave about its supposed chocolatey aspect, but for me, it comes across more like sweet dirt. At the first spray, it even had a bit of a cannabis-like vibe. I’m torn between being intrigued and slightly repulsed. People say this was the patchouli scent of the '70s, but I don't recall it smelling like this. I’ve always loved patchouli, but this one feels a bit too sweet and very ambery. My initial reaction was, 'Damn! I already have Jessica Simpson’s Fancy Nights,' and I also own a vintage bottle of Prada Amber, which is much smoother and more sophisticated in comparison. I was hoping it would be closer to the patchouli oil my husband loved when he lived in Germany, but unfortunately, it's not. Looks like this will be my go-to fragrance for farmer's market trips. Update: I'm in love.

Impressive. That’s the word that came to mind for my first test run with the fragrance, and the first foray into the Reminiscence line. Patchouli Reminiscence was first created in 1970 but it has a timeless quality. It smells just as fresh 51 years later. There’s a slight camphor quality, but overall I pick up a clean patch with a dash of sweet wood scent—likely provided by vanilla, sandalwood and tonka. Considering a grey market purchase for this already affordable perfume. For an EdT, I’m getting really decent performance. Silage is low, but I like that aspect because as we all know, patchouli can be a polarizing scent. This one is office safe, and that’s quite a feat. I’m now curious about other scents from Reminiscence. Before I finished writing this review, I have ordered three more decants to test. Edit: and before the end of the day, I own a 50 ml.

The original '70s Reminiscence perfume trio (Musc, Ambre, this gem) were discontinued. In the wake of this development, Reminiscence launched a new line of perfumes, ostensibly casting a wider net in terms of mass market appeal. I still have some of my beloved Reminiscence Patchouli left, but the eBay prices for this cult classic are already insane. If anyone knows of a similar, equally beautiful patchouli perfume, please share your knowledge. I've tested a few newer options: Alyssa Ashley Essence de Patchouli, Lush Karma, Lush Lord of Misrule, Kuumba Made Tunisian Patchouli; as well as patchouli solinotes like Nemat Patchouli, Indigo Wild ZUM Patchouli, Outremer Patchouli... I will be testing more patchouli blends. Les Nerides Patchouli Antique looks promising, but so far nothing sufficiently scratches the Reminiscence itch.

Patchouli is a very beautiful creation from Reminiscence. This is no surprise knowing the number of patchouli themes fragrance from this brand. The fragrance smell is very elegant and cozy. Even though its marketed towards women I find it very unisex. In fact it might lean a bit more masculine. The longevity of that fragrance is 10/10. It will last for days after you have sprayed it. However, the projection is moderate which makes it perfect for this scent profile. It reminds me of Chanel’s Coromandel. This is a very timeless DNA that is 50 years old and will continue to be great 50 years from now. Scent Profile: 9/10 Uniqueness: 8/10 Versatility: 8/10 Longevity: 10/10 Projection: 4/10 Silage: 7/10 Brand Name: 4/10 Presentation: 8/10 Availability: 6/10 Price/Value: 10/10 Overall Score: 74%

I just wanted to add, if any Aussies are interested in this perfume - not denigrating the art that is Reminiscence, but it smells A LOT like Spiritual Sky Patchouli Amber oil. Not the American version, the Australian one. I highly vouch for it - sillage and longevity is intense - 1 drop easily lasts 12 hrs on the skin - and only $7 a vial as opposed to $120+ for reminiscence! Make sure its the Australian spiritual sky oils - not American ones. Australian version comes in a square glass vial with a black lid - American one in a roundish bottle with a Hindu looking pictures. There's an Australian website called Magic Essence that carries the whole range and has pictures. I don't know that they'd ship overseas but either way you could probably find them on Australian ebay.

I searched for this fragrance for years and years. My cousin went backpacking through Europe and returned with this dark liquid. Her favourite is Angel and I find these similar in a way... I was in love with it, she told me I'd never find it and that made me more dedicated. This year for Christmas my husband bought me 100ml after I'd been going on about it since we met. Its pretty cool in a way to know you're not going to pass anyone on the street wearing this. But this isn't one for everyday, it's very strong and earthy. I have to say... it smells quite fecal - I've heard the same said of Musc! Its very unique, very bohemian chic, balmy, 70's fragrance - PERFECT for fall - has to be the quintessential Autumn perfume when the air smells like damp leaves and earth.

First try in Nov.. Only chocolatey at the beginning, liqueur-y too. Then it evolved into dominantly musty, earthy and slightly sour scents. It's patchouli concerto with balsam and vanilla. This is how I felt about it when I sniffed my own sleeves and wrists. One of my friends said it's dried herbal medicine -- bitter, sour and slimy stuff, likely because patchouli is used as medicine in some cultures (while in others it is a symbol of hippies). After the omicron altered my senses of smell and taste, I find that this cologne's mostly chocolatey and musty. The earthy facet of patchouli fascinates me! Very decent performance. For winter and fall (for all seasons to me personally). Unisex. It seems it's discontinued as all I can find are testers with doubled prices.

This is to a to-die-for dirty, hippie patchouli for sure - at least to me. It is perfection. It is utterly gorgeous and perfect for this summer season (Australia) with sandals, flares, beads and hat. I just got a 10ml sample and am already just bought a full bottle even though I'm not sure of the performance - it's also been in transit which always affects performance. I'm going by the score that says 'good performance even in summer'. Sadly it looks to be very hard to buy here (managed to score one from ETSY). I just want to wear the heck out of this one. BEAUTIFUL! I blind-bought Reminiscence Patchouli and Roses and don't really like it: it's just quite sour to my nose - the patchouli is different thin and acrid and not enough of the rose.