Chypre Rouge (2006)
by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

A fragrance that manages to smell of mellow fruits without conteining fruits (listed at least) in its composition. There is a woody soul in Chypre Rouge, some aromatic elements from conifers and greens with the typical Lutens salty-sweet mellow taste. The smell is not so mellow as in others of the brand but is anyway rounded by a vanillic and ambery honey melted and spilled on a mossy and musky dry down. The animalism of amber, honey and beeeswax is not brewing but restrained. There is an aromatic initial smell of forest and the ancient touch of patchouli but the fragrance lacks on the complex of the  right level of luxuriousness and changeability. I find it too linear and modest, just tasty but shy.  Finally we smell a caramellous and honeyed boise' smell with a touch of bitter coffee, some bitter-sweet spices and vanilla, the animal touch of amber and an overwhelmed demure  jasmine. The fragrance seems to be close to the skin and also the longevity is under average for a Lutens.

15th November, 2011. (Last Edited: 22nd November, 2011.)

Let's walk in a pine forest, the pinewood is dried, even caramelized by the sun.

The ground diffuses a rich blend of notes : amber liquorice, coffee, spices (curry, fenugreek, celery), old prune, dried fig, cognac…

Later, i cross my way with woody notes, salted, underwood wich are close to the oakmoss.

Finally, i find a very comforting and human side made of honeyed notes and fruity gourmandises wich evoke a childhood memory.

A personal fragrance from Serge Lutens, i know only him could imagine a fragrance like that.

7th November, 2011.

As people are suggesting, this DOES smell a bit like raspberry and strawberry jellies setting in plastic bowls for a children's party... but so what? It's kinda fun!

There IS a bit more to it, to be fair; a nice, musky, woody effect at the base - but there's no getting away from the fact that this scent is all about fruity jelly, ladies and Gentlemen. It reminds me of Chanel's Allure Sensuelle somewhat.

Wear it while holding a bunch of balloons.

16th May, 2011.

Chypre Rouge is completely dispensable. It doesn´t seems Lutens ; is ugly and harsh, it seems cherry jello slightly spicy with thyme and on top of that, to make things worse, here the thyme does not take the aromatic side of another herbal fragances but feels rough, dry, with a hint of camphor as licorice taste.
The result leaves a bad feeling in a medicinal sense, as a cough syrup like those with taste of strawberry or cherry.
No trace of Cyprus tones that the title hints at , no trace of the sweet and spicy richness of another Lutens.

22nd January, 2011.

I could see why this one gets such mixed reviews: it's cloyingly sweet and somewhat unusual. I like the immortelle note. I really like this fragrance.

6th January, 2011.

This is the first Serge Lutens fragrance that I cannot appreciate and that I will NEVER wear. I get none of the notes listed. What I do smell is salty coriander, cumin & curry. Chili, anyone?

13rd October, 2010.