Isfarkand pour Homme (2005)
by Ormonde Jayne

Got a bottle of this recently. A lightweight citrus and woods scent that is pretty linear. Sillage is poor but longevity is good considering how "thin" a scent this is. This is far from "rich" or "complex". What I really like about Isfarkand is its take on citrus. Unlike many mainstream citrus scents that are overly fresh and sometimes synthetic and sharp, this one is very mellow and well managed. There is a slight bitterness in the dry-down. Also I hardly find anything spicy in this. Wearing this in the heat, brings out the notes much better.

Isfarkand starts with a very nice pepper-citrus, embedded by already noticeable woods. It's a discreet citrus, which you have
to breathe in acitvely. I think it's a little bit hidden behind the dominant pepper note. After a good while this fresh citric-pepper note is displaced by a dry woody scent (I smell the dry cedar and little vetiver).
I can hardly believe that Isfarkand is called an eau de parfum, because of the unacceptable sillage. This seems to be a general problem of the scents by Ormonde Jayne. In combination with the poor longevity the high price is not justified.
(5/10)

A very short-lived citrusy opening, followed by a peppery green-woody accord, with a drydown that is very much cedar-based (with some vetiver still persisting). Overall, a modern and sophisticated fragrance that is probably best worn during the warmer months.

Personally, I decided not to purchase this because the price didn’t justify the average longevity I was getting from this. However, it is a classy creation that I certainly have some admiration for.

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

After reading the reviews here, I headed straight to the Ormond Jayne store when I found myself in London recently. The Isfarkand scent doesn't disappoint. I was curious about the pink pepper note and it's great: it could add a bit of mystique to the smell, but the designer has kept it down to earth with citrus on the top and ceddar at the bottom. The result is a surprisingly light and refreshing perfume. When I wear it, it feels like it's hardly there, there's just a bit of luxury atmosphere enveloping me. Isfarkand has instantly earned itself a spot in my top and I use it frequently on good occasions.

Quite a complex, citrus-spicy accord for the opening: Isfarkand is unique and rich – so rich that it gives a whole new interpretation to citrus. Immediately upon spraying I can smell the vetiver along with the opening’s smooth citrus and spicy pepper.

After a decent amount of time, the cedar joins in to give a rare sophistication to this light citrus, spicy, green accord. To my nose the iris adds primarily a texture to the heart notes. The heart is luxurious but in a non-dramatic way – it’s a platform for the peppery citrus / green from the opening and the vetiver from the base. The fragrance doesn’t move much and when it does, it moves gradually. Once the heart and base are achieved, there’s always present what I would call, that Ormonde Jayne note: I’ve tried only one other Ormonde Jayne scent – Ormonde Man, and that was the scent that I thought of when Isfarkand was halfway through its heart notes. The drydown is a delightfully refined vetiver and moss accord which contains the remnants of the stronger preceding notes. The drydown is soft but rich and has quite moderate sillage. Longevity is moderate, also. I am not in love with Isfarkand because I don't happen to be enamored of that Ormonde Jayne accord, but this is undeniably a refined, sophisticated, quality fragrance.

It's all been said before. A tangy citrus opening with a quick drydown to mossy cedar. Very nice, masculine, would work well in warmer weather. Just doesn't last that long on me to justify buying. If you have money to burn though, this may be a go to fragrance.