L'Éphémère

The rose here is contemplative, brooding. This attar adds up to something far greater than the notes. It often doesn’t even seem floral. Then at times, it morphs. Ah, yes, comforting florals. Then again, broody darkness. This is one of the greatest perfumes I’ve sampled. But for Sultan Pasha, just another day at work. Extraordinary. I don’t know why this one doesn’t get more love. I am glad I bought 3mL of it.

A primal rose, castoreum, patchouli combo. Very natural, musty and thick. A little bit of freshness from aldehydes and violet leaf. A comforting scent for me, and I usually run away from patchouli heavy fragrances, but this is the best I have tried. The notes are a bit similar to Chanel Antaeus, but this is much more deep and raw.

Aldehydic floral. Vintage French perfumery in style. The feel is beautiful and relaxed. Stunning.

The main accord is a lush natural smelling rose and a earthy smelling patchouli note. I swear if you close your eyes you could be in your garden smelling it from a rose bush. Hints of other florals like jasmine and violet come and go with a animalic tinge on the back end of the scent. It quickly disappears though making you wonder if it was your imagination. I love the way Sultan Pasha adds that animalic accord to a greater or smaller degree to his scents giving the compositions that sensuality. The scent smells formal and serious with the patchouli almost taking on a dark chocolate vibe with the lush rose accord. It's floral fresh and austere but has many facets as time goes by like lily of the valley and other notes weaving in and out of the red rose and patchouli accord. Very beautiful and natural smelling.

This mainly smells of a stunning rose absolute or otto, but working with these materials as I have I can say how difficult it is to make a rounded scent when you put such a prominent focus on a wonderful rose material. There's a hint of more powdery sweet florals, like gernaium with a dialled minty element and touches of violets. I get some sweetness there and I know there's a great base holding this rose down but I can't really smell what's in it, perhaps that speaks to the smoothness of the blend.