La Rose Jacqueminot (1906)
by Coty

I first encountered La Rose Jacqueminot as a sample in a basenotes go around package. It had leaked and the while package smelled like it and it was STRONG. And heavenly. I bought a bottle on ebay and it smelled the same but weaker so I think it is a bottle from the 80's not the original issue.

You can still smell and understand what made this a great perfume. It is a masterful blend of very strong notes that are soften down by softer notes(violet). It ends up as a wonderful mix of these notes mingling with eachother and neither side really 'wins'. The only winner here is me who wears it and can enjoy this perfume that combines delicacy and persistence and strength.

15th May, 2011.

This beautifully blended floral was the original composition of Francois Coty - credited with birthing the modern fragrance industry.

From Scripophily.com - "The story of how Coty actually managed to get the stores to carry his new perfumes is nothing short of legendary. At the Grands Magasins du Louvre department store in Paris, he tried in vain to convince the buyer to display his new fragrance, 'La Rose Jacqueminot.' Then, perhaps by accident, perhaps on purpose, Coty dropped one of the fragrance bottles on the floor. It shattered. Women in the area -- some claim they were hired by Coty for exactly this purpose -- excitedly demanded to know what the scent was and where they could buy it. The incident convinced the Le Grands Magasins and all the other department stores in Paris to carry Coty's fragrances."

La Rose was re-issued by Coty in the late 80's or early 90's which is where and when I first encountered it. I got my present bottle of vintage from an online store to which I was directed by fellow BNer Lightnin'rod, to whom I will be forever grateful.

It has a bit of an edge to it - but is still glorious. Opens on a bright floral note that is primarily tea-rose, subtly underplayed with a heavier rose (Bulgarian? Damask? My nose is not that educated), just a hint of greeny lavender and violet and a tender, light ambery musk. Like many classics, the dry-down is just a richer "cello" version of the middle notes - no surprises, just deeper pleasure.

This is the one fragrance I have ever worn that stops people in their tracks and elicits everything from "Mommy, you smell so-o-o-o-o good" to things I won't mention!

Superb!!

30th May, 2007.