George Sand (200x)
by Les Parfums Historiques

The comparisons to YSL’s Opium are pretty much true. However, this one just doesn’t work with my skin chemistry – it quickly turns into something very ‘off’ and unpleasant.

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]

The first time I tried this, I completely missed the patchouli note--and I'm a great lover of patchouli. I had made this same mistake with Estee Lauder Knowing, a longtime personal favorite, but for a different reason. With Knowing, the patchouli was covered in honeyed roses. But with George Sand, I just didn't apply enough perfume. I revisited this fragrance and put lots on, and found a dark, harsh heart of pathouli, and there is no excuse for a hard heart in my opinion. It's still an interesting perfume, but I must downgrade my first impression.

I don’t get the citrus of the opening because the darker notes from the lower levels of the pyramid rise into the opening immediately and drown the citrus out. George Sand opens deep, rich, and a bit dark. In the first several minutes I seem to find a strong element of animalism in the mixture: This is probably the result of the way the patchouli is presented, but I wouldn’t be surprised by an inclusion of civet. Whatever… I really like this part of the fragrance, as well as the remainder. I do love the depth and richness of the opening and the heart accords. I don’t find the fragrance really “dark” per se. It’s just rich, mature, and fulfilling. I believe that, while the patchouli and sandalwood are responsible for the depth and shadowy feeling that dominate, the middle notes of rose and amber combine to round out, balance, and refine the patchouli / sandalwood accord to a beautiful degree. This fragrance drips with sophistication. The dry down is a spicy / ambery / sandalwood treat, quite classic and very well made. It surprises me that it is now offered through MPG – or is it still Les Parfumes Historiques? – because it seems more classic and traditional that the usual run of MPG fragrances. I don’t see much of a relationship to Opium, but I can agree with the comparison to Bal a Versailles. It is labeled as a feminine fragrance, but, just like its George Sand persona, it can go both way. Personally I’m a sucker for well-made, classically styled Orientals, and that’s exactly what George Sand EDP is: excellent and well-made and beautiful.

I once smelled this one on a paper strip I believe. I can't distinctly remember what it smelled like, but I have a vague memory of it resembling Baldessarini Concentree. And that one is one of my absolute favourites. If possible I would like to revisit this one again someday. It was quite unisex with lots of woods in it. For now I am going to give it a thumbs up.
benb

This is a delicious scent, very reminiscent (to me) of YSL's original Opium. Lovely notes of opopynax, cinnamon, and myrrhe. If I didn't have a backlog of Opium, I'd be all over this. Go see the film "Impromptu" with a sample of this in hand... buying the bottle will follow.

I am surprised no one has reviewed this wonderful fragrance. My wife who is very much a one fragrance girl has been using Paloma Picasso for year. I felt I would like something for the weekend so bought a selection of samples from Les Senteurs in London. This was given the vote with the, to my mind, equally wonderful Bal a Versailles runner up. I now look forward to Fridays. Les Senteurs descibe it as a fougere/oriental which is sexy,witty,daring and intellectual, a perfect fragrance for my wife.