Violet Empire (2006)
by CB I Hate Perfume

My favorite of all the CB's I've tried so far. A rich, spicy, no-too-sweet violet from it's cool minty top to it's earthy leather base. So beautiful I find it hard to describe. Lovely, deep, and dark, at home on either sex.

A dark, wet, earthy green violet and violet leaf. It smells at first like the scent is too concentrated. As Violet Empire warms on the skin, it mellows and brightens a bit. Wet earth & a sprig of mint 'root' is detectable as well. It would make an excellent masculine violet!

Violet "Empire" is described on the CB I Hate Perfume website as:
"Blended from CB Violet Empress [Christopher Brosius's own accord], Elemi, Violet Leaf Absolute, Rosewood, Mahogany, and Russian Leather. Violet Empire is an unusual yet very elegant perfume. The violet scent perpetually peeps out from behind a shining green veil."

At first it disappointed me. It was darker and earthier than i had expected. I like dark and earthy scents, but i was hoping for a bit more Violet. As i wore it, however, it changed, as layer after layer of scent was revealed, and in the end i was captivated by it, dark, leather, wood, hiding a shy hint of sweet violet. I'm sure it will smell very different on everyone who wears it.

Cool, green violets, much less sweet than the actual violets I smelled the other day. The cool greens are almost minty, but more like birch. I also get some very dry, almost papery, russian leather. In the drydown the violets get a little sweeter and the leather richer and spicier - it's probably the woods.

This scent is definitely green, with a sweet violet accord. It is fresh, perhaps a bit "soapy" but in a good way. I could definitely layer this one with something smokier and it would be incredible!