Terre de Bois (2000)
by Miller Harris

If you started an equilateral triangle with Chanel Pour Monsieur and Comme des Garcons Vettiveru, the third point would be Terre de Bois. It's a scratchy, woody take on the eau de cologne. The blustery, citric-sage start is a bit misleading. Terre de Bois goes quiet very quickly, but can be sensed up close for hours. The name nails it though. There's the feel of soil from the patchouli and the woody tone of the vetiver. The herbs enhance both, and the feel is specific; not leafy, not grassy, not mossy. Just dirt and trees.

TdB smells 'natural' in that all of its parts are recognizably botanical, but it has a very balanced use of its elements. Nothing vague or blurred.

At a glance, TdB is autumnal and handsome. I bet it'd be wonderful against type in a frilly-pretty springtime setting.

30th August, 2011. (Last Edited: 8th September, 2011.)

Fresh and green, this starts off a little rough, but quickly sweetens and develops a green-woody accord that is very pleasant. Basically a skin scent after the first few minutes, it nevertheless has a decent longevity. This is a mellow scent, being warmed by the sweet Indian spices in the base. As soon as these notes appear, it is wonderfully soothing and calming to the spirit. Wear day or night when you seek a warm atmosphere. Quiet and pleasant enough to wear at work.

24th March, 2010.

You never know how much you miss something until it's gone. Have returned to TDB and I still love it, which doesn't always happen. A brilliantly blended unisex fragrance by Lyn Harris of woods, herbs and spices. The fennel and juniper in the middle are the stars together with the lovely patchouli at the bottom. Lasts all day on me, spanking sillage and women love it -- there are no negatives. A brilliant creation.

22nd April, 2009.

This is an odd creation from Miller Harris, a fusion of interesting ingredients that struggle to find the balance required to give this a real identity. The opening is a robust affair, offering a brief herbal episode infused with citric character.Drying down, the blend becomes a little unbalanced and none of the elements make a strong enough impression to please. I did find solace in the forest floor earthiness that developed from the Vetiver presence, and it did finally begin to live up to it's name. Sadly, it never pleased me on sufficient levels to warrant a thumbs up.

21st February, 2009.

Nice rich herbaceous citrus scent with warm woody undertones. Smells very classical and traditional, yet timeless and contemporary. Fresh, aromatic and understated.
It sort of beats me why there isn`t any citrus fruits in the note list. I could swear I get some lemon.

This is very comparable to many other classy rich herbal-citrus scents that includes those well known and much used woody tones.

Faraway from being anything groundbraking or original, but it`s a pleasant natural smelling scent to be worn anywhere, anytime. Very well made, although lasting power could be better. Definitely unisex.

Nice, it`s just not for me at all. Thumbs down beacause of the boring value for the high price.

13rd November, 2008.

Terre de Bois is an unusual creature for me. It's floral yet earthy yet woody yet cologny... I fully smell the florals on top. As it develops, I get the woods but it's really fleeting. It's not as powerful to my nose as I thought. As it develops, it becomes a floral vetiver and then a woody vetiver. Too bad it came and went too fast.

14th October, 2008.