Visa 2007

Visa is AMAZING. When I tried it for the first time, it opened citrusy and green. I was testing many perfumes then and found it obvious that this one with it's quite cold opening would go along the chypre path. I was so wrong. Visa is a woody-floral-fruity. What moved me from the very first moment was its resemblance to ... no, not Angel. Prada by Prada. I really wonder why no one noticed... I admire Prada, but its firm patchouli is just too much for me. Visa has everything just so perfectly balanced. They share many things: the top of bergamot, other fruits, green feeling when touching your skin; the heart of ylang & rose and the drydown: sandalwood, patchouli, benzoin, oakmoss, vanilla... What you can't deny Prada is its beautiful carnation and powerful patchouli. What you can't deny Visa is its fantastic equilibrium in all stages. I choose Visa! I really don't have words to describe it! It's structure is so stable in every single second, yet smells so tremendously natural, unaffected ... in one word: ELEGANT in its all meanings. Because elegance is quality, simplicity, perfect balance. Warm, powerful, beaming ... Staying close to the skin and radiating at moments you don't expect it, always ready to surprise you. The beginning and heart can make your head spin, the drydown makes you feel so comfortable, sensual, so very yourself. In this feature it resembles Bvlgari Black, 1826 by Histoires de Parfums, J'ose by Eisenberg. Delicious fruits, mind-blowing powdery rose, warm woody base. On my skin it goes quickly, in about 2 hours, right to its drydown, which lasts and lasts for hours. Visa is just a bit vinatge. For a mature woman, who knows what she's worth and what she wants from life. For a woman who LOVES LIFE.

I really, truly, don't understand people saying this does not smell like Angel. But there's a couple caveats: 1. I think Angel smells fantastic and so does Visa, in a more subdued and sophisticated way. 2. My last memory of Angel was when I was wearing it almost every day from late 2013 to 2015, and it's probably been re-re-reformulated since. It might also be that my nose isn't that well trained to pick up on the subtle nuances of the florals, but on opening Visa and Angel are remarkably similar to me. I find it really curious how Visa opens with an overpowering blast of patchouli/vanilla accord, punctuated by the sweetness of the peach, and only as it goes on it starts revealing its greener notes. For all that Angel was to me in my adolescence, Visa is the mature and elegant version. It lacks the artificiality of Angel, and its elements seem a lot more in balance with each other. The flip side of this is that I find myself wanting the perfume to project a lot more than it does, and simultaneously appreciating the more leathery and warmer aspects of it as it sits close to the skin around the 2h mark. I deeply love this perfume, wearing it makes me feel like I hold a secret social power. Perhaps that's what makes me wish for a longer performance than its ~4h, but I must say: there is a second life to this perfume if you apply it early in the morning and go to the gym in the evening. Whiffs of patchouli/vanilla/sandalwood come back with the body heat and it's just heavenly.

This has a wonderful fruity opening - not as sweet as I had feared as it is fresh, ripe fruit rather than stewed, dried or in syrup. It then has a wonderful expansion phase with a blend of abstract floral notes lifted gently with aldehydes (not that these would put you off if you are afraid of the note) and darkened with patchouli. It all combines to give a warm and back-lit impression - delicious and beautiful. It does remind me of Angel but, as another reviewer said, has a different personality altogether. It is mysterious rather than in your face. The quality is excellent and it smells great on clothes as well as skin. It is not a powerhouse but it leaves a nice sillage and the longevity is very, very good. I got this as a blind buy but I am putting it up for swap after a few wears. The fruit is combined with a chewy kind of patchouli, like the one in Angel and Coromandel, whereas I prefer mine cool and dusty. EDIT: 1 week after the review above, I noticed the scent on a scarf and went back to re-open the box. 3 months later and I have worn this often. The more I wear it, the more unlike Angel it feels. Here, the fruit, florals and suede make the patchouli seem softer and I maintain that this has a half-lit or candle-lit feel as opposed to the bright lights of Angel. I have also been wearing this with reformulated Feminité du Bois to lift the fruit and florals.

I wanted to smell like a glamorous star of the cinema screen so I tried Fracas which Marilyn Monroe among others wore and which everyone said was so amazing, so intoxicating, so long-lasting blah blah but I tried it and I can't believe anyone so glamorous can wear something so stinky!! Same goes for Floris Rose Gardenia that Marilyn wore, God bless her, which smelt like washing up liquid for washing dishes. Refusing to give up, I tried Visa - figuring that having been made in 1945, it would still make me smell like a glamorous 40s, 50's movie star. It's lovely, like someone else here said, it's boozy, alcoholic smelling like a nice peach wine which I love. It dries down, nice and powdery and smells like it could be someone's sexy natural smell. I sat there during my day thinking, 'Wow, someone smells lovely!!' then realised it was me :) The only disappointment was that the base notes can be achieved with a cheaper perfume by Avon called Timeless. However, you don't get the same expensive, boozy smell with Timeless or the explosion of glamour, fizz, and sparkles that Visa gives. I don't know if I felt like a glamorous movie star with this but it took me a bit closer. The biggest problem is that I don't know what a glamorous movie star smells like.

Very peachy indeed! Not exactly gourmand as we know the genre to be these days (I don't smell any noticeable caramel, vanilla or candy notes), this is more of an elegant floral-fruity sweetness. It feels very pretty and fun. I find no relation to Angel and very little even to Chinatown, both of which I find richer and more opulent; this is instead very similar to Nina Ricci's Deci-Dela, though perhaps with a bit more leather. It gets a lot more interesting in the drydown, as the earthy elements begin to gain prominence, but the fruitiness persists even then. Very much more serious and less pretty in the base, this is the part I love. I really wish there was more of the earthy aspect throughout. Update Sep 2015: I ended up buying the pure parfum, and I am so happy I did! The deeper, earthier aspects are more noticeable here than in the EDP, and I can finally smell a little of the vanilla and patchouli that made others draw a parallel with Angel. It is still *not* Angel, however. It is still very much a peach scent, even if the earthy aspects are augmented in the parfum. While the EDP is an elegantly pretty peach scent, I would say the parfum is an elegantly sophisticated peach scent. Both are lovely.

Hoping I can shed some light on the IS/ISN'T IT Angel debate going on below..... Whenever this happens and people are vehemently opposed in opinion there's usually a reformulation involved and so, I think, is there here. "madelineandmore" is onto something. I have a bottle of Visa from roughly when it came out (again, 2008 ). I just bought a rollerball from 2021 ( if you have a regular bottle you can possibly tell by horrible cheap cardboard they're now using too ? ) They're very different. Between the two, something changed. A lot. The later could well be compared to Angel. Even accounting for the application, it's sweet nothingness. In this case: SaraZigova is spot on ! The "original" is VERY different. Well, it's Visa 2007 not vintage Visa but it's much closer. In this case it's gtbasso who's right: (It)*starts with a burst of aldehydes, peach and benzoin, a resinous vintage peach then a little bitter violet leaf and tiny bit of bergamot; then with the ripe peach, the orange blossom presents, sandalwood and a little dusty rose that makes it creamy and powdery; very vintage and lovely but missing the bitterness of an oakmoss, a modern vintage that nods back to the classics*

Visa by Piguet was created for "a sophisticated woman travels the world but never gets lost in the crowd. Her signature fragrance is reminiscent of all the places she visits and sights she sees." So the traveller in me was attracted to try the reformulated Visa. I am not convinced that the right olfactory group is oriental floral, it is much more chypre fruity for my nose. Or, let's say, a spellbinding combination of a bowl of ripened fruits and a bunch of variegated flowers with gourmand lethery chypre accords. Mandarin, pear and white peach sprinkled with vanilla sugar are leading one into the heart of the fragrance, composed by rose, orange blossom and ylang-ylang deepened by honey, at least for my nose. The composition is never overwhelming, nor cloying, in fact, it demonstrates, how alluring the combination of fruit and flower can be. The gourmand notes are refined and sophisticated. The immortal and moss give chypre quality to the fragrance. As the scent dries down I can also smell the subtle earthyness of patchouli. Visa is a well done fragrance with depth and character, offering a choice for the cold days.

The Brangelina to Angel, Piguet Visa (2007 release) is a beautiful sweet Oriental. Where Mugler Angel is melon and big ethyl maltol (candy sweet), Visa is peach and restrained resiny sweet (benzoin or Peru balsam). Where Angel is vibrant and happy, Visa is elegant and thoughtful. Where Angel is classically feminine, Visa is not - in fact it seems almost masculine to me, albeit in a sweet way. I wish it were a bit stronger. The top note is overripe peach, bergamot, and violet leaf, but the peach is restrained and well-integrated into a mild benzoin sweetness. There is studied suavity and meticulous blending of notes. I get a subtle rosy floral enriching the middle, followed eventually by a dense balsamic finish, with patchouli and woody notes. To me, the whole experience is not at all like Angel. Where Angel is big and sweet and melony, Visa is faceted and balsamic and peachy. I love them both, but as a man I am more comfortable wearing Visa in public. When I wear Angel, I expect people to wonder if I paint my toenails.

The first time I wore this timeless beauty I was sobbing away to Carmen opera whilst sitting on my own in a high up box. It was bitter sweet, the beautiful opera, the gorgeous Visa and realisation that I managed to break my heart again by falling for someone completely wrong for me. It was bitter sweet, because I felt utterly lonely, but absolutely blissful in appreciation of this new world of opera art, that is so emotionally deep. Visa is as grand and as beautiful as an opera or the bitter sweet feeling of a breaking heart. Ah, there's definitely much immense pleasure in suffering as well. Just like crying whilst enjoying an opera. Visa smells of apricots to me, thought officially it's supposed to be the white peach, and it smells of golden mold if such ever existed. You can imagine the diva in her boudoir there's expensive powders, dried fruits scattered about and the golden mold eating away at the antique floral wallpaper.

This perfume blew me away. The second I tried the tester sample, I had to go ahead and buy the bottle the very next day. To me this is an unusual perfume, a masterful blend of sweet gourmand and rich fruits. I normally don't like fruity scents, and prefer incense and gourmands. Visa is such a rich dark fruity gourmand, almost like fermented fruit mixed with a strongly flavored dried fruit strip. This is a strong perfume but very smooth and beautiful to me. Not one note is out of place. Also, a problem I have with many perfumes, even high end ones, is I always detect a chemical backdrop which puts me off the fragrance. But there is no such contamination in Visa. It is perfect. Note: I have noticed that people who adore Fracas don't like Visa as much in comparison. I like Fracas but I can take it or leave it. Visa is definitely my favorite Robert Piguet scent by far, and among my top 5 of all perfumes I have tried.

This does NOT remind me of Angel in any way, shape, or form. I have a 2007 bottle. I adore it - and it has actually gotten nicer with some age. I remember my first sprays of this - and it made me put it down. I left it. For a few years. It matured and now is beyond gorgeous. Now I wear it because I feel powerful, and feminine. This is a girl bomb. Tho - I think it would smell amazing on a masculine man. I get A LOT of violet leaf from this. It's very creamy, but not lactonic. It's soft, it's beautiful, like being under a blanket of soft white petals. The vetiver and oakmoss are apparent to my nose and they are beautiful. I do not compare this to anything modern as it is such a classic scent. It belongs in a category of it's own, really. Just like Chanel No. 5 does. Just like Shalimar does. Cellier was a master at creating these beautiful blends. This reformulation by her nephew is also a gift.

I must admit that the pleasant elements of Angel springs to mind upon initial sniff. However, once it begins to settle with ones own body chemistry the magic of this masterpiece comes alive. I could never do this perfume justice by attempting to describe its notes although I can tell you that I really do smell angelic this morning. Such a well blended scent that epitomises femininity and class. You can tell that it was created to give Angel a run for its money and it certainly succeeded. Comparatively, when Angel dries down I'm left with harsh patchouli, whereas Visa dries leaves a heavenly dreamy scent with a delicate powderiness unlike anything I have ever smelt before. Deep sigh....imagining fluttering silky wings of a fairy wafting this divine sweet scent all around me. Simply incredible! Edit: Ummm I'm getting a much softer and nicer version of Coco Chanel...strange albeit gorgeous!

Many do not know about this perfume. It is extremely spicy, you get the wood notes and spices first. Then it sits down on your skin, to have the peach, velvety chocolate. To me and many others around me it can be described as a Chocolate Mocha scent. With some spice. There is some vanilla too. Very rich, deep and complex scent. I could understand how this perfume wouldn't be designed or liked by youth or 'younger women'. I apologies for my words.However, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in complex, rich, spicy and strong scents. In the verge of masculinity. Almost has a scent of an old wooden wardrobe. If anyone knows how that smells. I recommend it to anyone who wants to make an impression to others or themselves. Likes sweet, rich and luxury perfumes.

Vintage version: this is like a cross between Nuit de Noel (Vintage) and Naomi Goodsir's Od du Serail. It has the spice and mossiness (Mousse de Saxe I presume) of Nuit de Noel and the resinous fruitiness of the Goodsir. What an incredible perfume. I must say that while the new formulation (Visa, not V) really does give a generous nod to the original. Obviously many ingredients are no longer being used but the new version is very much a clean and minimized version which is not a bad thing if you consider the new version on its own merits. The latest version "V" is also good - presumably it is reformulated due to the ridiculous ban on Lyral from the EU recently - but it still manages to be a slightly lighter shade of the bottles labelled Visa. All three are worthy purchases.

This is my second bottle of this, except this bottle's label just has "V" as the name (a bit like the "V Intense" but without the intense bit). It smells just as I remember Visa to smell, although I am referring to the new version, as opposed to the 40s vintage scent. It has the best fruit notes I have come across in perfume - a very realistic and heady pear juice and the musky fuzziness of peach, along with a slightly medicinal note and lots of resins, warm woods, patchouli and suede. Everything is so well blended - this appeals so beyond its brief. It manages to be delicious without being brash or overbearing. It is warm, lush, mysterious and elegant. Sillage is good - arm length and sufficiently radiant.

The category 'oriental woody' is quite right, but I must emphasise the role of fruit here. The peach has a leading presence; what is more, we have immortelle and a subtle leather to give this peach a solid darkening. The pear is not just a bit-player; luscious yet restrained, it upholds its modest position next to the glorious benzoin, which features as a second dignitary. As Visa was reformulated in 2007, I wonder what the original must have been like, as this really has a beautiful vintage character: smooth, complicated and extremely well mannered. Intoxicating. (For fans of the discontinued Asja, help yourself to a sample of Visa soon, I urge you!) (Sacrebleu -Intense- also comes to mind)

Fruity, rich - baroque even but fleeting on a very warm spring day, even in the evening. Seems like a typical winter scent. ETA - wintertime wear - it is yummy and peachy. Well blended. It has both richness and lightness somehow. You are surrounded by peach and pear that gives the lightness here with a powdery notes added by violet and a immortelle which adds some brightness. There's a soft suede and some resins at the bottom. There's also some chocolaty patchouli here, no doubt. It's all a bit honeyed, decidely sweet but cozy. It is a distant cousin of Angel. There are some echoes of Van Cleef & Arpels Precious Oud aka a castrated version of Black Orchid.

This perfume is so sexy, it is almost inappropriate. I could tell you how many times this perfume got me in trouble, but I better not *winks* Visa smells fruity but a different kind of fruity. It is so deep and boozy. On me I don't get any soapy or powdery notes at all. In fact, it smells a little bit dirty (in the best way possible). To me it is a little-black-dress and stilletos kind of perfume. Seriously do not wear it if you don't plan to seduce anyone. You've been warned. Sillage is quite strong. This perfume will leave a trail so spray with caution. Longevity is excellent. 6+ hours on my skin.. even after shower.

If I was a spy, I would wear Visa. Understated and refined from first spray, it is possibly the most elegant fragrance I have ever smelled. It blends into the crowd quietly but don't mistake silence for meekness, this fragrance is determined. I love it. On me it's not overpoweringly sweet at all, it's gentle and slightly powdery with the sandalwood coming through. This is a fragrance for an intelligent, clever woman who travels the world, wears chic silk blouses, drinks fine wine with old friends, who laughs a slot and loves even more. Has made everything else I've ever smelled in my life seem cheap by comparison.

an unbelievable medley with fruity and blooming top notes, reconciled with celestial sandal ,the heavenly florals, the woodsy accords in mid notes smell so one of a kind here, the other-worldly ambers and sandal are used in a very unpretended and softening usage through the mid tunnels of this olfactive adventure, it tags on so expertly with musks and mild spices in the groundwork tones that I admit, sometimes I spray it early morning on purpose, even hours before I will leave the house and go out, so that I can catch exactly those magnificent dry-down tones that I adore when I meet someone