Miki Mochi

I am hypnotized by the top notes of Miki Mochi. While at once it has the stark legibility of natural or predominantly natural perfumery, there is this mouth-watering, quenching sensation in the opening, stimulating not just the olfactory nerve, but somehow, the trigeminal nerve, a cooling sensation, as it were. Further on, the mimosa absolute is like green pollen and chewy propolis as it waltzes with a dried-raisin and prune osmanthus, dripping honeyed and damp, coming in and out of focus. While intense and determined when examined close to the skin, its gossamer feel from further away resembles the ebb and flow of tree blossom perfume in a breeze. It's spatially cautious, signaling itself with heat or motion, like the swaying of boughs (or of arms). In a world of penetrating perfume, its call is a "come hither" rather than collar grab. Miki Mochi is the perfect companion for this Sunday evening in a soft robe, a salt rock lamp, and a good book.

This is definitely a bit of a wild ride. The opening is a medicinal aromatic smell. It's almost bitter. But, in letting it sit for a while it morphs into something berry like (though there is absolutely no berry listed in the notes) and takes on a powderiness that one could associate with the mochi ice cream desserts. I truly don't know how one gets from the herbal to the mochi. It is definitely for a patient gourmand lover.

The opening is the most challenging part for me, and is also what I smell longest on paper and on clothing. I get a blast of pine and pollen-y mimosa right away, and the violet leaf adds a lively fresh green-ness to the mix. That part feels like a dry green balsamic and gives me vibes of going out for a quick walk/hike in a local park. The drydown is what makes this fragrance for me though. It's turned from green to a rich, slightly sweet and resinous dark golden amber. I love the warm coziness of it with the orris and sandalwood. The osmanthus plays peek-a-boo with me for the whole life of the fragrance and I wish it would come out more, but I will fully admit that I love all facets of osmanthus, from the ripe apricot floral to its plush leather and tea aspects. This is definitely one that evolves and transforms and is not linear at all! Projection is soft/medium - arm length at most, but impressively I can still smell it softly from a few inches away almost 12 hours later.