Reviews of Patchouli Patch (2002)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

If only I could wait through the very disturbing (what is that?) opening! It's all about the drydown for me. Vanilla and fruit keep this very beautiful patchouli wearable. And, yes, there is a "hippie" element that keeps this patchouli scent honest. If you are going to wear a perfume called "Patchouli Patch", it should smell like the herb which I grow every summer. And this one does... PS I find myself thinking about this perfume all the time. The patchouli is incredible when it finally surfaces. I may need to buy a bottle...PPS The opening note that disturbs me is osmanthus.

Patchouli Patch is a delight to wear and one of the classiest Patch dominant scents i have come across. suprisignly werable and most importantly, enjoyable experience all the way.
Opens with a soft and lovely accord of freshly ploughed mud with hints of floral elements adding to a bit of skank and sweetness. This scent stays linear and gets more soft and powdery as we approach mid accords. mid to basenotes has the divine combination of vanilla, incense and patchouli. this is essentially a muddy & powdery patch based scent sweetened to perfection by floral and Vanilla. a must have for any patch lover.

L'Artisan Patchouli Patch

Ever since I first smelled patchouli oil on a person in my early teens I have liked the scent of it. There is something about patchouli that comes off as a comfort scent on me and also, in some way, reminds me of my youth at the same time. I own and like many of the patchouli-based scents that are available and it doesn't take much more than a well-blended mix of patchouli to get my seal of approval. The 2002 L'Artisan release Patchouli Patch does have something else going for it besides the titular note it also has my favorite current perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour as its co-designer, along with Evelyne Boulanger. That takes Patchouli Patch up a notch, for me. The top of Patchouli Patch is an interesting mix of patchouli and the sweet floral note of osmanthus. The combination accentuates the sweeter aspects of patchouli but it also allows the herbal contrast inherent in patchouli to stand out more clearly, as well. The move into the heart is accompanied by sheer white musk which adds a quality of making the patchouli feel broken-in as if you've been wearing it for hours instead of an hour. The white musk gives the feel of a sun-warmed skin accord and that seems perfect. The base is an interesting choice to pair the patchouli with a stark anise. The cool anise is at right angles to the now warm patchouli and gives the base of Patchouli Patch an icy warm feel that is great to experience. The choice of a few notes to go with patchouli which progress the scent from sweet to warm to cool is really quite inspired. Patchouli Patch has avarage longevity and sillage on me. Yes its easy to get me to like a patchouli perfume but in the case of Patchouli Patch its a pleasure to wear and no hardship to enjoy.

Bertrand Duchaufour applies the masters touch to this patchouli standout fragrance by adding soft but cool complimentary notes all around the patchouli to tame the beast. The result is a light gentle patchouli blend that exposes the feminine, earthy side of this normally aggressive fragrance for a peaceful patchouli blend that works nicely to satisfy the "inner hippie" for either gender.

The scent begins with a lightly sweet peachy floral osmanthus which opens the patchouli central note. Using osmanthus to tone down the patchouli with its subtle sweetness is a very original blending idea that I've not seen with patchouli before - Brilliant idea! The back side of this patchouli story is woven with cool tones of translucent white musk and a complimentary anise oil layer. The cool mint of patchouli is complimented and enhanced by this equally cool base of white musk and anise for a nice woody but starkly cold closing chord. Overall Patchouli Patch is a very simple story of a very few notes that work so well together. The peach floral osmanthus opens the patchouli scent, while the white musk and anise softly cools and closes it down. A perfectly put together patchouli story!

I keep giving thumbs up to patchouli blends and it appears I might rubber stamp approval for every patch fragrance around, but not true! I am routinely turned off by the over used patchouli standard formula that tames patchouli oil with vanilla and/or amber sweetness then calls it done. I am also really turned off by pure patchouli oil strength and blends that emphasize the masculine nature of patchouli when it is plenty too strong to begin with. My inner child craves a great patchouli scent and I can not ignore any original and really good patchouli creation - such as this L' Artisan beauty. Extra stars for a unique use of complimentary notes and the creation of a perfect simplicity- Patchouli Patch -far out!

Unfortunately, I get more pleasure wearing $20 for 100ml Molinard than I do this L'Artisan.

This isn't unpleasant, just way overrated and much better patchouli's can be had for less $$$.

I haven’t smelled the old and now discontinued Patchouli from this house. From what I have heard, I presume it was much better. I mean, it is very easy to believe because this doesn’t do anything special for me.

To my nose Patchouli Patch is not a bad scent. It is well made gentle, fresh and earthy fragrance. It really does show a subtle side of this plant. Deep and nuanced blend mainly of patchouli, iris and light subdued musk which despite the hushed character is very dominating.

This is easy to wear “I-don’t- want-to-offend-anyone” fragrance. (Naturally if you overload then it gets quite temperamental)


My biggest problem with PP is that, during this typing I couldn’t stop myself from thinking how much more I enjoy Patchouly by Etro and, if I’m in the mood for patch then I prefer even over that Etro stuff more blended Patchouli scent like; intoxicating Black Aoud, gorgeous Zino and definitely Voleur de Roses.

Definitely a blast of patchouli, but far drier and more wearable then, say, Montale's Patchouli Patch, which is very strong. While patchouli takes center-stage, it is softened with enough vanilla and perhaps a touch of fruit underneath to make this version very different than the hippie-oil associated with patchouli. Plus, if you're not sniffing on skin, but wearing it, the patchouli note blends quite well with other notes and isn't overwhelming at all. As with any patchouli based fragrance, you must like this note to even bother trying patchouili, but within this genre it is great.

Well, i have never handled a piece of patchuli nor have been between hippies overusing it. so this is the impression of an alien about the scent. It is a grassy bushy monocrome scent which is appealingly green in first minutes but then grow out to be dull. It is just boring.

How could I not love this fragrance? First of all, I'm a patchouli lover. (I probably will lose all credibility on my reviews for succumbing to the charms of this note every time I encounter it.)Secondly, it has just enough sweetness to take the edge off of that dark, earthy note and soften it. It's still strongly woody with a hint of peach, but more interesting and likeable than plain patchouli. Maybe I need to make a ranking system: Baseline hard, woody - Etro Patchouli. Midrange - L'Artisan Patchouli Patch. Sweet but earthy - Montale Patchouli Leaves. Sweet and fruity - Jalaine Patchouli. Sweet and a miracle of mellow creaminess - Chanel Coromandel. Jump right in and choose one; I love them all.

Definitely patchouli but way too overboard on the herbal part. This one ends up being too hippie-ish. But oddly the patchouli goes away and leaves you with a dreadful concoction of herbs and a strange sweet note. Now, I like patchouli when done right. It smells much like my old college dorm where people were so loud and obnoxious that I never could get any sleep or study properly. Not a pleasant memory and I don't like the smell.

Yum! I just smell earth. Wonderful, would wear it all the time if it were at all affordable. Fabulously like wet earth, but could be stronger.

I loved pluran's review. I too am a patchouli junkie, and yes I do love it as dirty and hippieish as possible, but I cannot get along with this one. There is too much vanilla in it to be pure, and I feel nauseous when I wear this. I hate to give a thumbs down to any patchouli frag, but here goes!!

I've been struck dumb by the subtle beauty of this L'Artisan. This is easily the best of the bunch. I'm so happy because I was beginning to think I would never find a L'Artisan I recklessly loved, but I absolutely LOVE Patchouli Patch.

I'd heard this was the Patchouli hater's Patchouli and whoever said that is correct. Love this scent, a 5-star fragrance through and through.

The patchouli I smelled the first time I wore this must have been psychosomatically induced by expectation (via the name). Albeit fleeting, I really thought I smelled patchouli for about a minute, but it was quickly replaced by what I smell in many of the "Black" concoctions offered and mass-market department stores.

The patchouli I remember from an earlier life just wasn't there upon a second application several days later. Nice enough of a frag for what it is, but the patchouli is quite simply lost among an over-worked formula perhaps trying too hard to be too many different things.

I really like this scent, but I can see why some of the others do not. There is definitely patchouli in here, but it is mixed in with numerous elements softer and sweeter. If you like your patchouli in a 60's Woodstock blend, this may not be the one for you.

It takes a little time to warm up on the skin, but after that, it sticks close and really creates a unique and personal experience (after all, it is a patchouli "patch"... not a patchouli bomb.)

What a great patchouli fragrance! In the opening, Patchouli Patch provides a smooth patchouli mellowed by the white musk. I like fennel notes in fragrances, but I don’t really smell it here—I just get musk and patchouli in a very nice accord. When the middle accord kicks in, so does excellence. The middle is an incredibly beautiful patchouli accord that deserves a standing ovation. Apparently the iris and osmanthus are perfect candidates to combine with patchouli to create a totally accomplished patchouli accord. And then when the sandalwood shows itself in the base, the result is just pure heaven until at the very end of it when it turns on me and attacks—it gets a little bitter. Patchouli Patch doesn’t seem to suffer from some of the complaints leveled at many of the L’Artisan fragrances: It isn’t weak and short–lived, it is full bodied and has good sillage and very good longevity. I really love this fragrance—it provides as rounded and balanced and tamed of patchouli as can be found. Patchouli Patch is a magnificent fragrance.

Thank you Robyogi for your accurate review! I am in agreement completely. On my own skin, patchouli is usually too powerful...and with L'Artisans rendition; the notes are very wearable albeit fleeting. I will continue to sample L'Artisans quality offerings.

First, two caveats. One is sort of philosophical, and directed at any newbies who happen to peruse these pages. All of these reviews, especially mine, are like snapshots in time, thoughts and feelings about a fragrance at a given point in time. They are not absolutes or eternal. The second is that I am not a patchouli fan. I really dislike the stuff. Stanky and rank (albeit earthy and maybe peppery) is how I would normally describe it. I didn't always feel this way about it, but these days I do. I've totally lost the taste for it.

These two caveats are relevant because I have changed my mind about Patchouli Patch regularly, depending on my mood. This may be because I don't like patchouli, it may also be because I have longevity issues with L'Artisan. For whatever reason, this reviews, and indeed, all reviews, should be taken with a grain of salt.

Anyway, Patchouli Patch is earthy, and ever-so-slightly sweet. The patchouli is there - I smell it easily - but it's not as strong as it usually is to my nose. This is a patchouli I can wear. It shares a character with VdR (and I might add T42): earthy, thick, close to the skin, dense but not strong, rich but not terribly complex, and linear. It's easily my favorite patchouli, but that won't mean much if you like the stuff.

Beautiful, beautiful. The only way to describe this patchouli is "rounded". Not at all harsh but extremely smooth and soft. Sillage is excellent and it lasts very well on my skin. Since I'm in New Orleans, it is too hot and humid for this fragrance now, but is perfect for cooler and drier weather.

A citrusy start with a musky powdery base. This fragrance is stuck in no mans land - theres barely any perceptible patchouli in here to appeal to patchouli fans, while the overall composition is not exciting or unique enough to appeal to your average fragrance enthusiast. Also, the longevity is horrible and sillage nearly non existent. I can draw parallels with Creeds Original Vetiver, which is a scent designed for people wary of earthy vetiver - however, in OVs' case, there *is* a perceptible vetiver note, but it is masterfully blended with the other notes...plus, OV doubles as an excellent summer fragrance with fanstastic longevity.

Sorry, patchouli or no patchouli (no patchouli in this case), at those prices ($100+ per bottle), this one wont fly.

Big thumbs down !

What a wonderful frag! It starts off with a blast that reminds me of Eau Sauvage, but then quickly settles to a smooth, gentle Patchouli. Wonderfully done!

Patchouli Patch is amazing. I ignored it for such a long time. I figured it was just another patchouli fragrance. When I finally got a bottle of it (Blind), I was blown away. It’s an almost gourmand patchouli fragrance. It’s a blend of light musk and patchouli, but it also has this amazing cream note. Patchouli Patch is an ethereal fragrance that will forever blow my mind. In my wildest dreams I wouldn’t have imagined they could make a fragrance with patchouli in it smell like this.

LOVE this scent! It has a wonderful creaminess to it which takes off that hard patchouli edge as ikkitos says below. Share some similarities to VdR but with the patchouli cranked up. Wonderful stuff!

This has to be the best Patchouly fragrance I have ever sampled! Patchouly Patch manages to take that harsh biiter edge off and make it fresh and quite wearable. For those of you who has wanted to enjoy masculine patchouly but could never wear it due to the harshness, patchouly patch could just be for you. I recommend checking this out as it is on my "quick to order" list!

I don't like Patchouli Patch at all. To me, it's a very hard, cold and austere musky patchouli with no warmth at all. Not at all pleasing to smell -- on my skin or from the bottle.

I love the discontinued Patchouli and Voleur de Roses madly, but Patchouli Patch was a HUGE disappointment. I mean: where's the patchouli???!!! To my nose PP was more stale Cream Crackers than anything even remotely like patchouli. Maybe PP is a patchouli scent aimed at people who don't like patchouli? ;)

Like Bill below, I can admit that I don't like patchoulli - I tried Nicolai's Vanilla Tonka and that pretty much put me off all patchoulli scents. But this is a HUGE SURPRISE. I got a sample and tried it just on a whim, since most L'Artisans are rather extraordinary - this was no different. It opens on my skin with a soft yet sweet white musk note, revealing very little of the harsh edge of the hippy-lesbian-armpit-patchoulli smell that is so distinctive in my memory. The patchoulli reveals itself only later in the wearing - and is a soft, deep, mellow scent that is just incredible - I LOVE THIS! This scent reminds me of Helmut Lang in that "clean skin" kinda way...and is wearable during summer - a huge surprise...I often find it hard to wear deeper spicier scents, but this is so soft that it's a nice change!