Bois d'Iris (2000)
by Different Company

BOIS D'IRIS has a sharp, dark quality completely missing from the members of the Prada iris trio: Infusion D'iris edt and edp, and the Jean-Baptiste Grenouille composition, Infusion d'homme. I suspect that the dark woodiness--almost incense-like quality--may appeal to those who find the Prada compositions too light and frivolous--or simply too polite!

I, however, as an amateur of the Prada trio, find this creation a bit heavy handed. It's certainly not a big carrot-iris (HIRIS), but it does have its own unique earthy funkiness, which is bound to vary in expression from wearer to wearer. I do think that the spicy bois dominates the iris here, and the sharp quality makes the overall effect less appealing to me than, say, IRIS NOBILE or IRIS NOIR.

25th August, 2011.

While this is sparse in terms of construction, it is pleasantly unlike much of JC Ellena's work for Hermès and others, which I distinctly dislike. This for once does not remind me of functional perfumery, it is in fact my favorite iris scent - rich, buttery, boozy, woody, kind of a drag king to dior's metrosexual "Brian Molko" Iris, not to speak of Hermès emasculated carrot Hiris. The full accord fades rather quickly into a pleasant, understated whisper, though, so I'll have to hand the prize for superior construction to dior homme. Still prefer this one, though, on a purely sensual level.

4th April, 2011.

Bois d'Iris, contrary to Ellena's typically-emaciated creations, has real appetite and begins as a respectably rooty iris with delicious gourmand touches of yeast and butter and cocoa. Beyond this, green notes of geranium and (especially) vetiver creep in and the fragrance makes its transition to a somewhat less exciting cedar-based drydown.

Bois d'Iris does what it says on the bottle and is throughout a fragrance of iris and woods – albeit with tantalizing topnotes. It's surely an iris worthy of the name. Nonetheless, it makes me crave the magisterial Iris Silver Mist which, though less compliant than Bois d'Iris, is superior in its Antarctic strangeness.

25th March, 2011.

I am not a big fun of IRIS...
I tried this sample and, even if it's a nice glass vial,
not to press the pump somehow do not satisfy me.
All the DC line is superior (except for the OSMANTHUS) and original (ROSE POIVRÉE and JASMIN DE NUIT). Jean-Claude Ellén is synonym of quality products.

The perfume starts with soft-spicy bergamot and touches of virginian cedar-wood quicklying taking part and characterizing the composition.
The iris-butter starts taking position pretty soon but the combination with the cedar-wood make a super-dry effect with a just sharpen-pencil result.
Luckily there is a "Florazon-ßdamascon" violet aspect taking part and balancing all situation. The dry-down is sweeter and goes even more powdery.

Classy and long lasting I can see it sailing in a summer morning with temperature rising up quickly emphasizing up the buttery notes but, if I would ever buy an Iris perfume, Iris Silver Mist or Iris de Nuit would be my choice!

4th December, 2010.

Very sterile woody/iris/honey scent, like a high end store freshner.

3rd April, 2010.

Jean-Claude Elléna's scents don't always do much for me, but Bois d'Iris is an exception. When it first goes on Bois d'Iris is doughy - maybe even a little bit chocolaty - though not by any means gourmand. A crisp cedar note is quick to emerge, and this note lingers as the foundation of a very smooth floral/iris accord.

If ever a fragrance was "velvety," this one is. This is a suave, civilized floral scent that emphasizes the buttery, rather than the rooty character of iris. It's versatile and very wearable: I can see it in the office or in the evening in any season, since its wood notes, while rich, are never ponderous. Bois d'Iris is surely unisex and quite lasting, with outstanding sillage and projection. A superior scent.

15th February, 2010.