No. 19 (1971)
by Chanel

A masterpiece of perfumery, exquisitely blended, soaring verdant opening notes with a resinous timbre, delicate fresh and sombre floral heart with the lightest woods in the base.

For me most probably the finest perfume ever created.

Citrus baby powder. That's it...the only way I can describe it.

This is your iris. This is your iris drenched in volatile green solvents. Any questions?

One of the greatest frags of all times. Period.

No. 19 starts out with green notes supported by rich, sweet florals and the signature Chanel aldehydes, then quickly begins to brighten. Suggestions of sweet cut grass and frsh hay float around the aldehydic flowers, which in turn coalesce into a bold and well-rendered rose accord.

The sweetened green notes retreat slowly as No. 19 ages on the skin, leaving in their wake the rose note and some crisp woods. (Perhaps sandalwood and cedar?) The rose an woods become progressively drier over time, and after an hour or so on the skin No. 19 reads primarily as a rose-focused scent. By the third hour of wear the rose itself bows out to leave a soft, dry base of vanillic notes and sandalwood. This simple but gratifying drydown fades slowly until after no more than four or five hours on the skin, by which point it is barely perceptible. No. 19's merit lies in its, simple, clear accords and smooth progression, but I really wish it didn't leave in such a hurry.

I tried to love this, but I just don't. Muget, hyacinth, and lily of the valley (? or something very like it), are just not doing it for me. It's a bit too sour, cloying, really. I like the orris and woods part, it is powdery, almost incensy, but overall, I just feel like I am wearing someone else's perfume.