Parfumerie Generale: 3 posts

Praline, a confection of sugar and nuts, is something I enjoy preparing as much for the smell as for the taste. When the caramel begins to darken and send forth its voluptuous, heady aroma, I always wish I could capture precisely this perfume in a bottle. Most caramel gourmand ideas in fragrances, however, are far too sweet for my tastes, without the nutty bitterness that is essential to the aroma of praline.

When I first heard about Parfumerie Generale’s new limited edition fragrance Praliné de Santal, I was hesitant, imagining a cloying, dense mélange. I should not have worried. Praliné de Santal hits all of the indulgent nuances of a true gourmand, while steering clear of the sugary, cotton candy effect. Continue reading →

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

Parfumerie Générale Aomassaï is a scent of an antique spice box—an oily film on the wood, a scattering of pepper and pimento berries, a mélange of sweetness and muskiness. This unexpected twist arrives after the initial toffee effect, which further accents the opulence of Aomassaï. The ambery resinous richness of the composition makes for a potent woody oriental, which does not speak in half tones. …

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Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

One of my niche discoveries this year was Parfumerie Générale, the perfume house established by Pierre Guillaume, a perfumer who came to this profession by way of chemistry. The line offers an interesting array of exotically named fragrances such as L’Eau de Circé referring to the enchantress in the Odyssey, Aomassaï inspired by the African wood carvings, and Jardins de Kerylos capturing the salty breezes of the Cyclades islands. The notes are just as unusual: Cumaru wood in Musc Maori, Canapa Sativa seeds in Coze, Matale black Tea in L’Eau Rare Matale.

Out of all the fragrances I have tried thus far in the line, Cuir Venenum was the one that captured my attention the most. A leather steeped in the nectar, it combines the smoky balsamic pungency of animalic notes with the luxurious floral sweetness. …

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