Jil Sander No. 4 (1990)
by Jil Sander

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis supposedly wore this; perfect match. Rose and geranium make it a little soapy to start, but the fruits help out. Soon it melts into a classy white flower with rich herbs and resins to round it into a warm, sophisticated floral-oriental. Not to modern, not to old school. Good lasting properties. Nice to wear with a cocktail dress.

Top note: galbanum, geranium, peach, plum, rose
Heart note: carnation, heliotrope, jasmine, myrrh, rose, tarragon, tuberose, violet, ylang-ylang
dry down: ambergris, moss, musk, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla

It smells of jasmine + plum + nice coniferous note + honey, very elegant scent, comfortable, soothing, deep, there is something aromatherapeutic in it, dark and soft, like a black velveteen, has a little in common with Poison and Romeo di Romeo Gigli (EDP!)

Jil Sander #4 is like a softer-edged version of Estee Lauder Knowing. It has the same woodiness, the same tuberose, moss, patchouli, and musk. But it starts with a fabulous green opening note, and then introductrs a beautiful peach or plum fruit, while Knowing is more orangey.
The vanilla in the drydown is the main difference between the two. Knowing is clearer, with emphasis on the patchouli, while #4 is creamy and much more vanillic. Both of them have a nice, soft finish, with Knowing being more powdery and long-lasting.
I have loved Knowing for a long time. It is strong, though. If I overapply, I get a bit of a pushy, overdone, chemical smell. #4 smells similar, but without the danger of overdose. Very nice.

This is difficult for me to rate, because it's not my "type" of fragrance - it's too heavy on the floral notes for my taste. If you like that sort of fragrance, this would be a winner, but I'll pass on this one...though I will try it again sometime simply because I think it's destined to become a classic.

Unlike some of the more challenging fine fragrances (including some of the vintage classics), this is gorgeous from the moment you apply it. I've been so disappointed by designer scents (Vera Wang, et al.) that I wasn't expecting much from this one. But the warm floral top notes are stunning, underscored by woods, moss, and something faintly animalic. It manages to be both sophisticated and voluptuous somehow -- an elusive combination, in my experience. I'm trying this for the first time on a rainy spring day, and the sensation is of stepping into an exotic garden at the edge of a dense wood.

Each time I experience this aroma, it always leaves my senses wanting more. I find myself inhaling deeper to prolong the subtle enjoyment of this fragrance. This is a perfume I never get tired of smelling. Jil Sander N ° 4 is a perfect balance of sweetness and warmth, strength and softness, subtlety and distinctiveness... It begins with a burst of sweet carnations and ambery notes. Ylang Ylang then takes over without breaking any rhythm and blends into musky vanilla. Like the taste of honey melting in your mouth, the smell lingers softly with tonka bean and sandalwood, without loosing any substance. Finally the last note, rose, combines together a perfect harmony and chemistry.