Richwood

In my younger days, it was popular with a certain set to put a dab of patchouli oil on clothing for a particular bohemian vibe. I wore it regularly and loved it. With patchouli-forward fragrances, however, I've not been overly impressed with the ones I have tested. Some strike me as being too earthy for my taste, while others are a bit too chocolatey. And then there are some that alternate between the two extremes: one moment damp earth, the next rich, dark chocolate cake. Reading the list of notes for Richwood before purchasing a test sample, I wasn't concerned to see patchouli listed as a base note. I felt that the other notes in the composition might push the patchouli into the background, where it could play a supporting role. My assumption was wrong! Richwood opens for me with a strong blast of patchouli that is so well blended with the stated opening notes of tangerine, grapefruit, and bergamot that I cannot detect any of them in isolation. At first glance, one might think those notes are absent altogether. However, I suspect they are largely responsible for how refined the patchouli is in its presentation here. To be clear, this is not the same patchouli note I enjoyed in my youth. Richwood's patchouli lacks the sharpness and intensity of the essential oil; instead, it expertly treads the line between earthy and chocolatey. It's just the right balance for my taste. As the fragrance develops, within the first few minutes after application, a sweet, dusty rose note emerges and blends with the patchouli to keep it interesting. Sandalwood in the background adds smoothness. There is a sweetness to the scent too, but it's not sugary. Instead, it's a natural, gentle sweetness. Richwood quickly settles and then is fairly consistent for several hours on my skin, with perfectly weighted patchouli at the forefront, supported mainly by rose and sandalwood. Even at the outset, Richwood has a powdery musk accord, and all that really changes over the time that this is on my skin is that the accord deepens before fading to a skin scent eight to ten hours later. I can see Richwood working well for a dressed-up evening out or equally in relaxed surroundings. It feels more at home in cooler weather, but surprisingly I found that it also works well on summer evenings. In terms of when I would wear it, Richwood occupies a similar space in my collection to Naxos: an elegant, versatile fragrance that feels equally at home dressed up or worn casually. Tested: 1ml decant Seasons / occasions: Typically suited to cooler weather, but surprisingly at home on summer evenings too. It has an air of luxury that makes it feel right for dressed-up occasions, yet it also works in relaxed surroundings. Key thoughts: A patchouli-led alternative to Naxos within the Xerjoff range. Overall rating: 9.5/10 Buy full bottle: Yes

Richwood, Xerjoff 17/17 Stone Collection RichWood is another example of blending few popular DNA together and elevating. It may recall, Coromandel / Noir de Noir, and I do agree. it is similar. However, I think at least RichWood provide some twist as it merges these 2 DNA so well. RichWood, build around Sandalwood x Powdery Vanilla base. With Clean Earthy Patchouli as core for the fragrance. Decoration with classic fruity rose (Blackcurrant / Rose) that go easy on nose. It is sweet syrup rose concoction with Clean Earthy Patchouli, Vanilla that few almost like White Chocolate. Richwood, similar to other premium price fragrance. Doesn't bring anything new to the market, however refining the DNA to perfection. This is married between Dry Earthy Patchouli with Rose similar structure to Noir de Noir, but the Rose is DamaRose on base of smooth sweet chocolate like from powdery vanilla similar Coromandel. I personally think RichWood is epitome of this DNA on the cleaner side of thing. Noir de Noir is very earthy, borderline dirty to my nose as it is contributed by Truffle note, unique earthy profile and Coromandel (EDP) is slight too Ambery and Smoky - Is it worth the price, truly boiled down into how much you into this DNA. Addendum 1; Richwood created by Jacques Flori (JOVOY) one of the best nose for Amber Patchouli and Incense. Addendum 2 (Dec 3, 2024); I purchase my bottle produce in 2022 half year ago - 100 ml. around USD 300 from Discounter (seal box tho). To be honest with you guy, it is really hard to really recommend this one to you and I will insist a hard no at full-retail price. For price per quantity, Coromandel is really a better way to go... However, a point I would personally choose Richwood, because how rose dominant on my skin (I am friend with Rose anyway) and Patchouli in this even dominant, it is not really dirty, it is a quality I am enjoy. I believe Richwood still use higher amount of Natural as it hard to distinguish the modern material and the blend is good. Another way round, Richwood is just a Soft Fruity Rose & Patchouli and Sandalwood amber fragrance. It is quite, actually, outdate (you know it just so classic combo); but at the certain event - Richwood is truly safe choice, polite and radiance fragrance with stable medium silage. Make you feel pleasant, clean and well-groomed. (Personally, I think Coromandel even "feels" luxurious than this) It hard for me to picture something in my collection would fit the big event that not too announce (well, I won't probably wear my amouage collection to that function).. This is functional fragrance for those who understand this quality. nothing outstanding but refine fragrance. If you really enjoy the scent, you can go for Richwood.

Richwood is one of those "profumes" that, by definition, is a mysterious composition perceived as a single entity. It reminds me directly of a beverage in asia that has vanilla + citruses and is called Cream Soda, the opening is literally that but ofc more elevated- Initially, it's very hard to separate the layers; it feels like a work with in-depth layering that somehow melts all the parts together, not allowing you to really understand which part is where. It places itself above you, almost with a sense of superiority. I don't think I've ever come across a similar work. In other terms, it's an extremely creamy tuberose kind of medicinal patchouli working together with a dark and mature tone of damask rose. It's the first time ever that a rose isn't coming at you, but is working together with black currant to make it creamy. The opening is opulent and sits like a golden layer on you, slowly shifting to this uniform, very creamy French synth that radiates and radiates without ever really losing its power. To me, what makes this work amazing is the fact that it takes Coromandel's classic blueprint and pushes it to the next level, because this Tuberose note isn't present in Coromandel. The other protagonist is obviously the Mysore sandalwood; the sandalwood in here is absolutely beautiful and makes this stand on its own in a way that rarely any scent could. It's clear that it's a key element, and to me personally, it's really the star of the show. Patchouli means green leaves, and this can surely be associated with luxury, as everyone is implying, but in my opinion, the "rich" part is a dedication to sandalwood. It takes sandalwood and makes it rich, like an actual nectar that is elevated with a specific chord combined with Tuberose. Another thing to point out is this shadow of a chocolate vanilla accord that is lurking underneath. This is juxtaposed with an unusual labdanum that always comes back when we want to rebalance the sweetness. Is not chocolate as we think, is a Vanilla earthy acchord that remind you of it. Expensive, overlooked, and maybe even cornered as a copy of Coromandel, Richwood stands on its own, especially because it's a performance beast, it burst even after 4h. It reminds me of Le Lion because it's creating this unique block of elevated smelling juice that you don't want to question; is something very hard to come across a similar work, and Sergio knows that, wich explains the price. I own Zefiro and Richwood, and i consider them the best of their own category. To me is worth the price if you enjoy the profile, because a small spray last all day. Enjoy

Did this one right. Ordered a sample, adored it, waited and pondered. After some months, finally bought (my God, the price!). It arrived two days ago. Unboxed it in front of one of our two resident skeptics, the Rational Engineer. The Rational Engineer is tolerant of my fragrance hobby, but understanding; he is the same way with guitars, and knows that everyone has their Thing. (Understand that the RE wishes that there were rabbit pellets for people, so that they wouldn't have to think about how to fuel themselves all the time, they could just graze all day and every nutritional requirement would be taken care of. The RE is profoundly practical.) I sprayed my inner arms and right away held one out for him to sniff. His face lit up. And throughout the day, whenever I offered him my arm again-- as I did occasionally because Richwood tells a beautiful long story-- he was never bored. I knew more what to expect and was gratified; for him, it was an ongoing revelation. Every time he smelled it his eyes widened and I could see him thumping his metaphorical tail. Yesterday I said, "I think you should have this." And instead of "Nah," or "Why?" he said "Thank you." Richwood is all the good things everyone has said in previous reviews: "complex and wonderful," "spectacular and extraordinary," even "a creamy, sexy dream." But it is also surpassingly elegant. It smells divine on man or woman. I don't care if the RE wears it or I do, as long as I get to be around it frequently. Trying to imagine which famous person or character would wear this, but it demands very careful thought. (Most of a day later) John of Gaunt (1340 - 1399). Richwood is a noble, universally attractive, epic scent. (Two days after that: also Lord Asriel from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, whenever his manservant might remind him of it. This is how you get a powerful witch to sleep with you, not to speak of Mrs. Coulter.) Recently the RE went so far as to say: "I kind of like this." While he was wearing it. Which, for him, is huge.

Xerjoff Richwood is inspired by a tree of life (Khejri Tree) which is sacred to Indians specially for folks in Rajasthan and worshiped – The notes are inspired by earthy Rooty Patchouli – Fruits which grow on this tree and flowers which bees use for nectar – this tree body is made of scented wood called sandalwood – This tree provide shade in heat of Dessert so it’s truly a tree of life and rightly worshipped and inspiration for Richwood As you spray this perfume the opening is fruity which goes away in like few minutes and then comes the dance of Patchouli and rose where patchouli is providing the sharpness and the dark rose is providing the sweetness and then comes the star which is Mysore sandalwood providing the woody base – Sandalwood take the center stage now and you smell patchouli and rose are enhancing sandalwood characteristics of being creamy and sweet – I have tested original Mysore sandalwood and its never this sharp and sweet so my thumps up to the perfumer (Jacques Flori) for doing an excellent blend – this is so regal and formal – Like a prince you smell sharp and rich with a glass of wine in your hand ,As I do smell something like a wine – I think its black currant - The last phase of Richwood had addition of vanilla and amber in small form which just adds to regalness – The projection and silage is excellent like its within your hand distance and longevity is little over 8 hours range on my skin . Richwood to me is epitome of Mysore sandalwood note in western perfumery however its more than sandalwood fragrance as its goes through various stages with various notes playing their role – Its definitely a rich and complex fragrance which justifies its price as the experience it’s gives is priceless IMO and worth the experience . 9.5/10