Jardin du Nil (1988)
by Maître Parfumeur et Gantier

Peculiar. Jardin du Nil opens with aldehydic floral notes and an odd “stinky” accord that’s been described as “dirty socks” or “locker room.” I actually think the combination is a bit seductive, but I doubt many would agree. A very strong soapy note (detergent, even,) emerges as the fragrance develops, and this new component jars dramatically with the sustained dirty accent. I pick up a hard worked, post-coital body resting on freshly laundered sheets, while still bearing traces of last night’s floral perfume.

Though they don’t have too many actual notes in common, I class Jardin du Nil with Frederic Malle’s Une Fleur de Cassie as a dark, dirty, maybe even threatening floral scent. I can’t really decide whether I like it, but it sure is compelling. I don’t think I want to wear it much, but I keep coming back to it to figure it out. A thumbs up for daring and mystery. Maybe just a little too much mystery for me.

-2007

What nonsense: there's no such thing as too much mystery for me! I love my Jardin du Nil - the rest be damned! Mwahahahahah! (And the best part is that the peculiar "dirty socks" effect is still intact in the current formula.)

-2009

Dried, dirty roses with bug spray preservatives.

Not a stinker this one on me at all! No, it is a beautiful rich floral blend that smells absolutely woderful, from start to finish.
Heavy mint note at the top, and soon after wonderful gerenium joins along. And I swear there must be a good doze of blackberry in the mix as well, because that`s what I very much smell here. I also smell very much tomato ketchup here, of course it must be the result of geranium playing with some other wonderful notes. (ylang-ylang, fruity aldehydes etc.)

Stunning perfume without a single problem!

How should I describe this one? A florist's compost?

Could have been a beautiful floral & fruits composition, but the stinky note that other reviewers have mentioned is on me unmistakably present and seems to dominate. Over time, that note fades to a manageable level where it resembles overripe bananas, and at that point I can begin to appreciate the scent without my stomach churning. However, the opening is just too off-putting for me. Apparently some people have less problem with the old sock thing, so give it a go in any case. It's an educational experience.

A dreadful floral mess on me -- rather like mildewed bouquets thrown upon my head and shoulders. Gloria Swanson probably wore something very like this in Sunset Boulevard. Miss Haversham might also have worn something very similar in Dickensian England.

I can see this working on others, but not on Yours Truly.

My holy grail of all time, really. Sexy, earthy/ethereal, masculine floral of the highest order. It's not for everyone, yes. But even if you consider yourself quite masculine, you might find yourself liking this floral. I feel the stinky feet comments are valid, but fortunately it doesn't evolve like that for me. One important caveat, not for the geranium shy.