Molinard de Molinard (1979)
by Molinard

Molinard de Molinard is a fine floral / green fragrance. I don’t really get much in the nature of the listed top notes: I get floral and green right from the beginning. To my nose the florals dominate over a fairly strong clean, green element in the background. It’s a well-blended fragrance: I can clearly identify neither the florals (I think I can find the rose and jasmine; the pyramid adds narcissus, and ylang-ylang) nor the green (the pyramid says galbanum). The mix is given character by a black current note that does an excellent job of toning down and rounding off the florals and the green. The whole of the top (?) and middle forms one accord that is soft, warm and long lasting. The drydown is a sweet, light wood — amber and patchouli and vetiver; again, I can’t really separate out the vetiver and patchouli, except that I get in the drydown a strong sensual element that might be coming from the patchouli. These accords are gorgeously feminine but they are not exactly wispy and translucent — they hold a definite presence so care in application is advised. Molinard de Molinard is an extrovertedly beautiful and sensual feminine fragrance. (Edit of October 15, 2006 review.) 183

What if ... what if ComDiva hadn't sent me a sample of this treat? I'd probably never have met this easy-going staple.

From the distinctive Lalique frosted bottle with relief imagery spring some of my favorite top notes--mild, green and decidedly perfumey in a Frenchy sort of way. In my mind, I've pegged this as a sweet, green chypre even though there isn't even a rumor of oakmoss. Others dub it fruity, floral, grassy. Officially the notes are said to be (top) fruits, citrus, black currant bud, greens; (heart) Bulgarian rose, Grasse jasmine, narcissus, ylang-ylang; (base) amber, Reunion Island vetiver, incense. To think all this all this can be had for just about $30 for 3.4 oz.!

The cost of "M de Molinard," on the other hand, heads toward $185 from Aedes. M de Mol (floral green, bergamot, narcissus, rose, amber, patchouli) bears some family resemblance to Mol de Mol, but I'm happy to like the older/cheaper composition. There's nothing else quite like it.

Pretty, pretty, pretty! I enjoy this fragrance very much- the flowers and mosses seem realistic, and I feel as though I'm transported to a faraway enchanted forest. However, I feel out of place in the enchanted forest and finally run away when the bees begin swarming due to the honeythick sweetness which emanates from this gorgeous concoction. The sweetness is tempered by a touch of crisp greenness that unfortunately is not crisp enough for my tomboy taste. (By the way, my mother is smitten with this fragrance, and I gave her my bottle for Mother's Day).

I love this fragrance. It has a vintage aura to it and from what I understand, the scent has been "changed" since it first appeared in the early 1980s. Still, it's exquisite, unique and feminine; with some curious fruit notes at the top, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley dominate the middle. The final undercurrent of incense and vetiver aromas remain for several hours. I thought this fragrance was gone forever when the store that used to carry it closed their doors forever. Thank goodness for online shopping! I now have my precious Molinard de Molinard. Ladies, trust me, try a sample of it. It's like no other fragrance you've ever encountered.

This review is for the EDT. I happened upon a full 1 oz. bottle (box and all) in a cute little antique store for just $10. The opening of this is very green and much like a quieter version of Chanel No. 19. I'm surprised no one has mentioned that before. As it dries down, the dominant floral note that emerges seems to be a quiet, buttery tuberose. The silliage is not great in this concentration, after the initial opening it starts to lay close to the skin. I like this, but I already have a vintage version of Chanel No. 19 parfum and this just can't compare. The part frosted/part clear Lalique designed bottle is gorgeous.

This has a powerful, sweetly floral opening. It is not very green, in my opinion. It is a pleasant and classy scent, though a little too sweet and floral to suit me. The dry-down has substantial patchouli, which gives a soapy/sharp tang that is abetted by a hint of incense resin. There is also a little grassy vetiver in the dry-down. The amber is not problematically sweet, buttery or heavy.