Espionage (2002)
by Ayala Moriel

I happen to enjoy single malt scotch, and from time to time I've looked for a fragrance that captured the rich, complex bouquet of my favorite spirits. Found it!

Espionage announces itself with a fanfare of burning peat and sea air iodine. Don't get me wrong - there's nothing "aquatic" about this. Espionage is pure Laphroaig or Lagavulan, an Islay malt with all its smoke and salt, and without any of the sherry notes you would expect from the more urbane Speyside whiskeys.

This smoky opening persists for quite some time on me, with a well-integrated leather emerging slowly over the course of the first hour. Then, like a fine scotch whisky, it settles down to a slightly sweeter, rounder base, with hints of musk and tobacco.

The olfactory resemblance to an Islay single malt is remarkable if it was intended, and altogether astounding if it wasn't! The only problem for me is now that I've found my scotch whisey scent, what do I do with it? I haven't yet figured out when I would actually wear something like this.

Note that because this is a parfum, it stays close to the skin, and courtesy of lovely natural ingredients, it disappears on me in four hours or less.
This is trivial, though, in the face of such a remarkable achievement!

Espionage is one helluva classy scent. Although it opens with a bit of fresh bergamot, the bergamot quickly fades as the scent is taken over by very smokey (camp-fire-like) cedar and leather with a background of rose, jasmine, tobacco and vanilla. There’s also a nice musk in the drydown (ambrette seed). More mature than youthful, and little more masculine than feminine, but easily unisex.

At first I thought this was too “classic” smelling, but as time wore on, I really found myself enjoying Espionnage. It’s not quite a casual scent in my books, making it hard to wear without a nice shirt or suit, but if you wanted to, you could wear this anytime. Like I said, it’s kind of old fashioned and classic smelling, but it’s also modern and fresh – the best of both worlds.

A similar scent to Espionnage is Miller Harris’s Feuilles de Tabac, but Espionnage blows it away IMO.

nota bene: What’s really fascinating about natural perfumery like Ayala’s is that your nose never feels bombarded by the fragrance – it just wafts in and out as it pleases in the most comforting way. Due to the natural ingredients, my nose often becomes anosmic to Ayala’s perfumes pretty fast, but I like it that way because it lets me focus on my day without a constant barrage of perfume distracting me. It’s hard to put into words, but her scents just blend perfectly into your aura. Two thumbs up to Ayala Moriel.

8.5/10

Thick and juicy smoke. A marvelous creation that could stand up to the best niche fragrance of this genre. This is more masculine than feminine. A leather trenchcoat with tobacco smoke smeared all over it. Classy.

A warm round leather scent that reminds me greatly of Knize Ten, only with a more approachable opening notes. The opening has those warm notes that are a green and sweet bergamot rose with leatheriness. The jasmine and orris brings in that earthy leather fragrance and the vanilla softens up the drydown for a sweeter mellow leather. A very masculine scent with a slight green smokiness that reminds me of pinon campfire smoke. The leather is always there. As with all leather scents it is very particular in its attitude - so test it first. But, it's a good one.

Wow...I am floored by a fragrance sample I just got from Ayala! Espionage!

Instantly I was transported to a world of Redcoats and Indians....Picture the main tactical room for General Cornwallis....the smell of Gunpowder...the smell of a very potent Hickory log still smoldering after the morning respite....and plans to overthrow and conquer the treasonous americans...

Imagine after his planning his tactics for the upcoming battle....his has some hot spicy teas mixed with Vanilla and a very potent Cinnamon stick.....The faint stench of men in sweaty uniforms all day long.....but very discreetly and every so elegantly masked and smoothed out...

This thing smells like Musc Ravageur of drydown, but ALOT more potent and spicy on the drydown and HUGELY spicy on the base and middle notes...I love it Ayala! (can I have another sample please? ;-) ...no seriously pretty please :-) I have used one dab of your sample and Im hooked and committed to buy! Just need the Money!)


This Folks is the smell of masculinity and QUALITY that In have not smelled in anything BUT the best in the industry! Musc Ravageur meets boldness, spiciness and Espionage!

When I opened the small sample bottle Ayala sent me, I got a whiff of a classic fresh leather scent. When I put it on my wrist, the first half hour was really awesome: my nose dried up because it was so leathery. The same experience you get with a very tannin-rich red wine, when your mouth dries up.

Now an hour later, I can barely smell its there - is it the perfume or my own skin scent? This is soft and subtle, vanilla and smoke on a fall Sunday.