Idole de Lubin (2005)
by Lubin

This is probably my favorite 21st-century perfume, because, as Off-Scenter already observed in his wonderful review, it is a masterpeice of juxtapositions. A traditional heavy-hitting masculine portfolio of booze and spices married with the metrosexual aesthetics of transparency and lightness, which Olivia Giacobetti is known to be a masteress of. I believe it fully succeeds, perfectly embodying James-Bondish elegance and swagger in a contemporary idiom, and to my nose it both projects decently and lasts well. Orange bitters, rum and saffron notes with peppery spice is what I smell and I never hesitate to don this when I want to look swell in a sharp suit ( a tuxedo / dinner suit would be an even better match). I understand the critical remarks that have been made about the orientalist / African stereotypes inscribed into the flacon, but in terms of sheer aesthetics it is a stunning homage to Art Deco Africanisms, which did, if not unproblematically, celebrate black culture.

25th January, 2012.

I kind of like the opening, when the bright boozy, spiciness first hits. Its is an attention getter. I get clove and cumin, not sure what the exotic quality generates from but it does feel tropical somehow, humid, deep tropical shade...

It settles into a more woody sandalwood and spices - fading rather quickly to a skin scent. Accomplished, but just not my kind of scent and the spices go sour on me after awhile.

7th December, 2011.

Starts off strong with the rum and transitions into a spicy fragrance with saffron being the main player. Projection, longevity, and the price dropped it down to a neutral. I guess I expected more complexity which wasn't there for me. Not bad, but not something I'd go out of my way to purchase.

29th November, 2011.

The main factor that jumps over mind inhaling the first whiff of this  scent is its boozy initial temperament, as well as many reviewers underlined. The rum is there and is a sugary aged liquor let to rest in old barrels made of smoked ebony and treated with brewing spices (nutmeg and cinnamon?) and mellow fruits. The spicy and sugary  orange covered by a dust of brown sugar and cinnamon is notable. The smell in this phase is a bit aromatic and gassy, an effect may be brought out by the almost edible, balancing in sweetness and decidedly  prickly work produced by the black cumin and saffron combo. This vibe is, on the side of the liquorous feel, the prominent trail of the entire smell and perfectly joins its effect with a marvellous creamy-exotic touch of amber and resin of doum palm. In this phase the smell is still boozy, aromatic-pungent, edible of spices, mellow fruits, balsams and endly smoky. I think that some flowers are comprised in the composition. The smokey trait is steady throughout the development with all its charge of darkness. Is important to underline that the consistence of the smell is averagely sharp despite a touch of exotic creaminess and the general darkness of smoke, woods, spices and incense. The last element, not listed, makes it apparition with time in support of the smokiness of woods and spices. Passing time this spicy oriental starts to reveal its leathery side that is not prominent in my opinion, the boozy and aromatic sweet spiciness with its smokey and incensey trait still remains the main temperament of this dusty concoction that passing the hours becomes strangely drier, almost watery as a light vetiver scent (are we sure that the unlisted vetiver is really absent in the composition?). A woody presence closes the round imprinting some stableness to the foggy smell. The level of  darkness is surprising despite the moderate level of density and the final outcome is misty and nocturnal. Idole reminds me a bit Pardon, the new creation from Nasomatto, which is less pungent and aromatic but more resinous, floral and chocolatey. Don't quote me for this but some olfactory undertones, with all the proportions, remind me a scent of my youth, Versus Versace (the two fragrances share some elements) , obviously i'm talking about reminiscences underlining that Versus lacks all the depth, the aromatic pungency and the caftsmanship of Idole. I smell also some association with Krizia Uomo whose some reviewer talked about. Granted that i appreciate but don't love this fragrance that looses something in boldness and attractiveness with time, becoming too sugary and demure as soon as all the strength of pepper and saffron goes fading.

24th November, 2011. (Last Edited: 25th November, 2011.)

Very linear to begin with. Now that might be a good thing, you decide.
Either way this has a nice boozy and quite daring start, for a short while (and I was hoping for something more as it developed). Then it keeps that boozy spicy sorta thing going and I have to say it smells real nice, but really I only find it charming, it's to comfy for me.
No pirate stuff this. ; ) To bad since the bottle is very sexy.

10th October, 2011.

Rich, incense-y, and very, very mysterious.
An androgynous distinctive and distinguished scent.
A very magical potion that can cast
a love spell.. perhaps ..
Much the way the Creoles liked to do in the French Quarter of New Orleans.....
reminds me of Bourbon French Parfums VOODOO LOVE...
a deep, earthy fragrance.
A re-creation of the special potion Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau gave to her favored clients so they could gain the object of their affections.

Rum and exotic spices mingle with dark, smoky woods and leather...
you can almost hear the drums beating off in the distance...in Congo Square in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana,
just north of the French Quarter.

Voodoo warning
Is calling
Down in Limbo
Moonlight lush life
Bears strange fruit
Down in Limbo
Creole tattoo......

Idole by Lubin
I think I'll buy you

8th October, 2011.