Reviews of 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.

Nice. A bit of a departure from more traditional fragrances and very nice and refreshing at first. I think it is hands-down nicer than Man, which gets lost in smokiness. It's fresh and I enjoyed the early pepper -- something I don't usually enjoy -- and it made me smile. Having said that, Guerlain Vetiver and Chanel Pour Monsieur destroy both of these. They're so much better, it's not even funny. I think the price point for the 50ml bottles is just absurd for what you get. Granted, the packaging is pretty enough to make you want to keep it around but, for the money, I'd stick to the "traditionals."

Not a thumbs down. Not a thumbs up, either, because I think it is far too expensive for what it is. I guess that leaves me neutral tending toward negative. Should be a new category!

This just didn't last very long on me thats my main problem with it.

Its also a bit boring which doesn't help, starts with a citrus thats very short lived then goes straight to a woodsy drydown thats a bit Vera Wang. I have a full bottle of the signature mens scent which to me is way more original and lasted longer.

Sorry but it has to be the thumbs down for expensive blandness

Greg

Isfarkand starts off with a pleasant and refreshing citrus note, but then all I can get is pure incense. After sampling all the non-feminine fragrances from Ormonde Jayne (Orris Noir, Ormonde Man and now Isfarkand), I have to say that this is far, far away from what a niche company should be. All their fragrances smell very generic and cheap. I find the auto-characterization from the Ormonde Jayne web-site an insult:
"The story of this unique luxury perfume house is one of uncompromising perfection. Known for the rarity and purity of ingredients, sourced personally from growers in far flung climes such as Indochina, Arabia, the Amazon and Madagascar, and alchemised in our own London laboratory, Ormonde Jayne has attracted the admiration of the perfume cognoscenti and fine fragrance lovers worldwide."
I could (should) have rated all the Ormonde Jayne fragrances as negative, simply for the huge disappointment they produced on me.

The pink pepper heart note is apparent from the start and dominates the entire composition. This is supposed to be a warm masculine scent, but it ain't Jean Patou PH. Somewhere closer to Vera Wang with a heftier price tag perhaps?
The woodsy basenotes accord is the best part but by the time we get there the question must be answered: how many spritzes should be applied to land in between barely noticable sillage and making the cats sneeze. Sorry, but I render a neutral verdict on this. Nice try.

With a name like "Isfarkand," I expect a rich, evocative oriental scent, but that’s not what Ormonde Jayne delivers here. Isfarkand starts out with a peppery kick, immediately followed by brisk, tart citrus. These top notes are bolstered by a bone dry cedar and spice accord that evokes parched dunes and scorching sun. The citrus notes fade after several minutes, as citrus notes are wont to do, leaving the spare spiced cedar accord in stark isolation. Isfarkand continues in this manner for most of its duration, and as I wear it, it’s simple structure begins to strike me as familiar. As I perceive it, Isfarkand parallels other dry cedar-dominated scents like Diptyque’s Tam Dao and Satellite’s Padparadscha. (Both of which, as far as I’m aware, are cheaper.)

Is it good? Absolutely. But it doesn’t strike me as original. Try it if you like this sort of thing, but I can’t work up too much enthusiasm for it.

Between the two masculine fragrances offered by Ormonde Jayne, I would choose Isfarkand. A nice spicy woody fragrance that lasts for a while. I get whiffs of the woods in the drydown once in a while and it's really great. Slightly soapy with the moss but it doesn't get overbearing. Nice and good.

I'm afraid another OJ non laster and I spray liberally. Also, the scent itself isn't that distinctive -- a citrus burst followed by peppers with a woody base. The peppers in 'Nicole Fahri for men' are far superior though and much cheaper. OJ for men is better, but again, fleeting. It's a lovely little shop with very friendly staff -- it's a shame the fragrances don't match the ambience.

Kaern

Not the kind of fragrance anybody is going to swoon over, but very nice nonetheless. Ormonde Jayne's compositions are unfailingly classy, but I'm not sure how I feel about the Iso E Super that seems to occupy the base of all of them. Sometimes I think it's a wonderful smell, and other times I feel as if this weird synthetic thing has taken over my entire aura. Kind of like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," if that makes any sense.

Citrus - pink pepper - woods. You can't get much more straightforward than that. I'm torn between this and Ormonde Man. This is frankly a little more boring, but Man sometimes seems overcomposed, even bordering on loud. I'm not sure which one I could see myself happier with over the long haul, but I have a feeling I'll wind up buying one of them one of these days--probably the one whose sampler runs out first.

Opens with a sweet woody scent almost too sweet. It can give u a headache if u put your nose to it. I didn't like this so much it's definitely for the older crowd.

A very pleasant light wood fragrance. The opening lime and mandarin quickly blends with the pink pepper and cedar for a light woody fragrance dusted with nice smelling citrus. Dry and uplifting. There is no darkness or mystery here at all. A little like freshly sharpened pencils. Simple, straightforward, and possibly a little innocent in demeanor. It is very mild in its strength on me as well.

I went to the Ormonde Jayne store in London with my boyfriend and the kind SA gave us a number of samples, including the Isfarkand for him. Well, I must shamefully admit that I have become so addicted to his sample of Isfarkand that I have ordered a full bottle of it for myself.

There is just something about the short intense pink pepper top note that thrills me. The scent then quickly dries into a warm, peppery, cedary, lime fragrance with a slight bit of vetiver and amber that is refreshing and unique. In short - Isfarkand is fabulous and when wearing it, you will never smell like anyone else.

I came to men's fragrance by way of Gucci pour Homme, which I initially loved. However, I've since come to detect the dreaded eau de hamster cage/pencil shavings that some have noted, and now I find it off-putting--especially when I smell it on others. For me, Isfarkand is a promising alternative. It has the pepper and the cedar, and the vetiver but, instead of hamster, uses lime and citrus. It has something of L'Air du Desert Marocain, though the basenotes are less sweet than Andy Tauer's much admired creation. Staying power is good and projection is wide--1-2 sprays max...

This perfume has clear development though its three levels. It has very natural smelling top notes which remind me of my essential oil burner dish after I have evaporated several different citrus oils in turn without cleaning it in between. A bit general and undefined.

The heart is of "pink pepper" which is a note I have some difficulty with. It has a slightly oily, petroleum, labroatory quality to it and lacks the clear spicy definition of black pepper.

The base has a light cedar and a sweet vetiver and some nice transparent moss. This is a "nice" blend but that is the best I can say for it. It boasts neither the interest of complexity, or striking quality and definition of simplicity featuring a few stunning notes.

To my nose and on my skin, it is all-all wooden. Sawdust and freshly cut timber. No matter even that it seems to stay unchanged all the way from top to base, this one is a really sweet and delicious scent. A little bit too loud and heavy, too, and extremely long-lasting.

One of the greatest scents I have ever smelled. We must keep this one a secret!

apparently Wallpapers, best scent of 2006. Not as good as her signature fragrance in MHO but still very nice. Price of these fragrances is steep tho!

The pink pepper in this is wet and fresh, sharpened by the addition of juicy citrus; such a delicious combination. Everything about this unique scent is bright and colourful.

Recommended for those who want something a bit different!

Thumbs way way up. This scent is truly incredible for spring and summer. It excels in the heat and warm weather. This is a must have for everyone. Citrus, pink pepper, and vetiver are what I mainly get. This scent is incredible. I can't say enough about it.

A chamaleonic fragance. Begins citrus, becomes spiced (pink pepper), and ends vetiver and moss and cedar. Spectacular