Cuir Venenum 03 (2004)
by Parfumerie Generale

Leffe and leather. Its sparkling honey and orange blossom notes are striking at first but quickly sour, and the wisp of Cuir d’Iris-grade leather is sadly choked under the staleness of it all. The bitter myrrh doesn't much improve Cuir Venenum’s distracting, boozy literalism and this could easily be a Christopher Brosius scent named something like ‘Oktoberfest 2004’ or ‘In the Beer Garden’.

24th June, 2011.

An original interpretation of leather. Cuir Venenum opens with a bizarre accord of leather and something else I can't exactly detect for an overall effect that brings to my mind of unripe Concord Grape. Bitter, somehow sour and aromatic. The leather note is emphasized in its acidic aspect and it is laid on a consistent myrrh base. I also get a slight dusty vibe throughout (as often in Guillame's creations).

Despite they don't share many similiariteis Cuir Venenum often brings to my mind of another great scent of the same family: Helmut Lang Cuiron. They move in the same direction, where leather is clean, treated and brand new. Recommended.

31st May, 2011.

The opening is kind of strange and medicinal and although I wouldn't go as far as calling it "grotesque", I agree with soirdelune that it has a grape juice note over what seems like stale cigarettes after it's been on for several minutes. While the cigarette ash note works in a leather scent like Oud Cuir d'Arabie, it doesn't work here because of that grape hard candy or juice note. As far as I'm concerned this is a combination that doesn't work at all.

3rd April, 2010.

I was quite disappointed with this perfume. On my skin I got very little leather except in the initial opening and then it developed along very similar lines to my nose as Feminite du Bois. Not exactly the same, but a similar vibe. I got a plum note but perhaps it was more the grape/apricot others describe with the myrrh.

I give it a neutral because it is quite well made, but I find it a bit boring and not what I am looking for in a leather scent.

21st March, 2010.

I instantly distinguished it (along with Cuir d’Iris and Cadjmere) from the whole PG line, as a very distinctive fragrance. I have the feeling that for the majority of the reviewers the word “Cuir” in it’s name seems to be the greatest problem or even a point of confusion, since it is definitely not a leather oriented scent. I can also add that it is neither poisonous as the latin word “vevenum” implicates. Nevertheless it is wonderful and extremely well made. I would describe it as a composition where hints of dry and slightly bitter leather are cleverly hidden beneath a dominating front row of burnt caramel, abstract fruity notes and musk. I also get this weird black beer note (detectable only up to the middle) which is very nice either you are a beer fan or not. Good lasting power and even better evolution on the skin. Highly recommended and suitable for both genders but I’m afraid not for the leather addicted ones.

21st January, 2010.

I agree with Everso.
This is not a leather scent. Definitely not for people looking for leather fragrances. Their nose will have a hard time trying to catch a whiff of that elusive leather. This fragrance is all about myrrh. It sort of has a herbal opening which is immediately followed be very intense myrrh. I am not a fan of myrrh so that's pretty much the end of it for me. The reason why I wanted to try this was because of it's recommendations as a nice leather frag. The word 'cuir' in the name is misleading. Frankly the notes are just so discordant.

13rd January, 2010.