by Mark
For years my idea of jasmine was the joss sticks I used to burn in my room to cover the smell of other burning things. I liked it but never explored it further. Like sandalwood and patchouli, it was just one of those popular incense types.
Appropriately enough, the first fragrance I tried that used jasmine as a headline note was Jasmin et Cigarette; at the time, I felt there was too much jasmine and not enough cigarette.
It was not until I smelled Sarrasins that I understood just how deep and dark this white flower could be.
A La Nuit dispenses with the fruit and leather of Sarrasins and goes straight into the heart of darkness. This potent jasmine tells of night, of a beautiful flower that carries its own decay just below its sweet surface, of barely glimpsed dreams/nightmares full of beauty and death.
After a long and intoxicating ride, benzoin and musk gradually warm and soften the jasmine, gently soothing the wearer's fever dream.
If you don't like jasmine, it also has jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, musk and jasmine.
Joss sticks and Monty Python always was a good combination, and so is jasmine and musk.
Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake
Year: 2000
Notes: Egyptian, Indian and Moroccan jasmine (green shoots); Clove; White honey; Benzoin; Musk
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This is a good jasmine. You might, also, want to try, TDC Jasmine de Nuit, if you haven't already, with notes of, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, sandalwood and amber. I would describe this as "jasmine with teeth". Some can be far too pretty, which is enjoyable in summer's heat, but I can't smell them in the winter.
ReplyDeleteI *love* ALN, but it's tricky...it doesn't seem to last on my skin if I dab it, and it's somewhat overwhelming if sprayed. It's one of the only scents I like layering.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy a Monty Python reference at any time! I agree that if you don't like jasmine, just don't bother with this one. I love jasmine and find A la Nuit almost narcotic in a really good way. It and Sarrasins are the only SL's that work for me, so far.
ReplyDeleteKaren G.
mmm, jasmine, jasmine, and jasmine. sounds perfect. I feel the same way about Jasmin et Cigarette! I like to make my own version of jasmin et cigarette by layering Joy and Cabochard.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with Joy parfum right now. Have you smelled ALN in comparison with Joy, I wonder?
Aimee - I happen to luck out on an old bottle of Joy parfum from a flea market...it's absolutely stunning. Other than the jasmine, Joy and ALN don't have much in common. ALN comes across as rather simple and one-dimensional compared to the extremely complex nature of Joy. I love them both, but Joy's complexities come from (what I would guess to be) a TON of ingredients...whereas ALN's complexities are from only jasmine's already complex nature.
ReplyDeleteGood to know--thanks!
ReplyDelete