Joséphine
by Rancé 1795

Bonaparte’s first empress was a renowned lover of roses, and her collection at Malmaison was of historical significance in the field of horticulture. Little wonder that her namesake fragrance from Rancé is to all intents and purposes a rose soliflore, gussied up with a dab of green jasmine and a generous dose of aldehydes.

The world doesn’t exactly cry out in need of another rose soliflore, so any niche entry needs to offer either extraordinary quality or an original take on the flower (or ideally, both,) if it’s to have any point. Joséphine does neither. Its straightforward rose is hobbled by a harsh, chemical property that leaves it smelling more like hand soap – or even air freshener – than a fine perfume. If you’re in the market for a realistic rose soliflore, go try Sa Majesté la Rose. If you want a more elaborate rose-based composition, Knowing, Paestum Rose, Lyric Woman, Une Rose Chyprée, Lady Vengeance, Une Rose, and the bargain-priced Cabaret will all do you much better than Joséphine.

31st January, 2011.

Rance 1795 continues its nod to history with this lovely scent. Josephine is a green / fruity-floral that opens with a powdery iris, a firm may rose, and a streak of green galbanum / violet leaf. The accord is quite delicate with the may rose and violet leaf taking prominence and the fruit being represented by a soft and underplayed white peach note – delicacy in its purest form. The heart of the fragrance is a charming, old-fashioned jasmine, ylang, and hyacinth… certainly not loud… it’s a demure bouquet presentation. The discreetness is continued in the base with a classic sandalwood, white musk, and vanilla. Everything is in its proper place in this fragrance – it is well balanced and nicely structured.

I guess “charm,” “femininity,” and “delicacy” would be the bywords for Josephine. I don’t know if it is actually a representation of an original fragrance worn by Josephine, but its delicately fresh florals with their powdery, soapy feel surely fit the image. For a soft, lower sillage fragrance it has very good longevity.

29th January, 2011.

I absolutely adore this. It is in my top 2 or three ever in my lifetime. Do you need the notes? and the details?

9th January, 2008.

Admittedly, I was first attracted to this perfume because of the bottle and name, but this is very pretty and feminine. Apparently it's supposed to delicately evoke Spring flowers with may rose, jasmine and hawthorn - I can imagine happily wearing this during Spring and Summer.
It kind of reminds me of Guerlain's Champs Elysees, without the sickly, slightly tacky frutiness that I think lets Champs down.
Whilst Josephine is sweet, feminine and straightforward, there is a definite elegance to it. If you usually find pretty florals a bit sickly then I recommend trying this.

3rd August, 2006.