Bois d'Ombrie (2006)
by Eau d'Italie

This composition is definitely stunning, bizarre and fascinating! A great opening with a boozy / leathery / smoky accord of incredible charme. As Bois D'Ombrie reached my skin I had an istinctive reaction I can only describe as "WOW"! The boozy accord is perceptible throughout and it's joined by Iris, dry tobacco, carrot, vetiver and patchouli. Opopnax is cleverly blended to add extra warmth together with smoked woods and a bitter leather note that's masterfully executed. In the original pyramid provided by Eau D'Italie, no frankincense is listed but I still get hints during the middle phase and the drydown.

Complex, weird, bold yet somehow transparent BdO has all the Duchafour's hallmarks and it deserves its place among the successful creations from this master perfumeur. If you're looking for a different take on the tobacco/leather theme, you definitely have to check this one out. Be prepared for a stunning experience.

6th June, 2011.

Wow! This is one weird ride. The opening is a bruising smoke/wood/booze accord that'll curl your nose hairs for sure. Super.

This is joined almost immediately by a sour, stinging note that I can best describe as boiling vinegar. Ever accidentally inhaled the steam from boiling vinegar? If you have, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, it's nothing I suggest you try at home. Over time the the booze subsides, and the smoke and woods blend into a rich leather accord. To my great disappointment, the vinegar steam note persists as well, effectively ruining the whole experience for me.

Close. Very close. A promising scent that was ruined for me by one discordant note.

12nd December, 2009.

I can't put my finger on exactly what I'm smelling, but it's not doing much for me. There a bitterness and harsh grassy thing going on that I don't care for much. Oddly, it reminds me a little of Mark Birley for Men, which I feel similarly about.

10th December, 2009.

If you tested,have M7 or are thinking about getting M7,I would get this instead it is by far more refined and put together better and has alot better longevity. M7 is a great frag but if you choose I would pick Bois D'Ombrie. I by chance have gotten Bois D'Ombrie and wish I found it first before purchasing Yves Saint Laurent M7. $$$$$ It's worth the extra $$$$$ Trust Me...

2nd November, 2009. (Last Edited: 26th February, 2010.)

Another scent that smells like pickled pimientos to me. It opens with that vinegar and spice accord and stays, and stays, and stays. I can't wash this off my skin. I love spice, but I cant take this. These aren't fresh spices. They are old spices sitting in the kitchen cupboard for too long. Whilke I respect the opinions of those that see the complexity in thios, it just doesn't work for me!

3rd April, 2009.

I took a tiny swipe from a sample vial 16 hours ago. One bath, one shower and a night in bed later and this is still pumping out unwelcome sillage. The smokey woody aroma chemical is so strong that I cannot even imagine enjoying the lack of craft and subtlety in the selection of materials and composition.

Utterly without merit for me, it seems to have little complexity of evolution, little reference to naturalness in composition and be intensely synthetic in its smell.

To me, this belongs with the lowest level of cheap modern fragrances and indicates the depths the so-called niche brands can stoop to under the cloak of a fancy box and a high price.

10th March, 2009.