Following the classical trends of the spring, some of which I described in my Trend Watch yesterday, Clinique has released a limited edition version of their 1972 iconic fragrance Aromatics Elixir called Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve. It has a stronger white floral accent of jasmine sambac and tuberose set against the mossy-woody structure of the fragrance.
It includes notes of bergamot, orange blossom, verbena, clary sage, jasmine sambac, rose, tuberose, patchouli, myrrh, vetiver, dark woods, labdanum, resins.
The original Aromatics Elixir includes notes of geranium, orange blossom, verbena, chamomile, clary sage, jasmine, rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, patchouli, vetiver, oakmoss, amber, civet. It was created in 1971 by perfumer Bernard Chant.
16 Comments
Eric Brandon: I think my heart is singing. I love the original, but it’s so blunt I tend to avoid committing to a full day of it. This sounds heavenly. March 2, 2011 at 3:06am
Olfactoria: I agree with Eric, I lkie the fragrance in theory, but it gets too much quickly. Maybe this is going to be an interesting version… March 2, 2011 at 7:12am
dleep: I love the original and the sheer. I can’t wait to try this. March 2, 2011 at 12:15pm
Victoria: I feel the same way about the original. I love it, but I find it difficult to wear, as it is very dry. March 2, 2011 at 10:00am
Victoria: A few years ago they have a sheer version, Aromatics Elixir Sheer Velvet, and it was just lovely. A beautiful, airy chypre with a nice mossy-woody note and a bright jasmine-rose accord. March 2, 2011 at 10:02am
Carla: I will look out for this! March 2, 2011 at 3:19pm
Austenfan: I love AE, it’s probably on my top 10 of favourite perfumes. I don’t find it either too strong or too dry. I will definitely try this one. Will it be widely available in Europe do you think?
The velvet sheer version is still easily found online. I have never tried it. But I suppose it is more wearable than the original for most people. Someone on the Posse calls it Aromatics of Doom! March 2, 2011 at 4:29pm
Victoria: The sheer version was excellent! I really liked that interpretation and wished that it were not just a limited edition. March 2, 2011 at 2:17pm
Eric Brandon: Oh, which stores? March 2, 2011 at 7:30pm
Victoria: I spotted a tester in stores already last week, just did not have time to smell it. March 2, 2011 at 3:44pm
Victoria: Aromatics Elixir is definitely one of those great fragrances that are polarizing (as they should be!) I find it marvelous even after its many reformulations.
When the Velvet Sheer version was launched, I recall that it was available in Europe, so I would imagine that this one might be distributed there as well. March 2, 2011 at 5:04pm
violetnoir: Ooh, please do report to us what you think when you have the time to test it, V!
Hugs! March 3, 2011 at 12:42am
Musette: Polarizing is right! I have a deep and abiding respect for AE but no love. I have tried for 30+ years – since the day it came out – to wear it and every single time it has been an Epic Fail, resulting in a painful sinus headache, total wash/dryclean of whatever I have on (and the attendant boiling-hot water scrub)….and Lord help me if I’ve sprayed it in the house! I swapped my last attempt about 3 years ago – I am hoping I have learned my lesson………
….but it is beautiful, in theory.
xo March 3, 2011 at 9:05am
Victoria: I believe that it was either Saks or Nordstrom. I had to go to several stores, so now I cannot recall which counter exactly it was. After a while, they all look the same! March 3, 2011 at 9:31am
Victoria: I will! The original is such a statement making fragrance. March 3, 2011 at 9:32am
Victoria: I pretty much feel the same–lots of respect and admiration, but no strong love for it. It does not bother me, but in general, these kind of dry-earthy chypres are a bit much for me. I do admire it though, and I always keep a bottle on hand for a great chypre reference. March 3, 2011 at 9:33am