Reviews of Coromandel (2007)
by Chanel

A tremendous rendition of Patchouli. I like this better than Borneo. It's smoother and more sophisticated. The most wearable high-end patch scent I've tried so far....and that's saying something since I've been sampling many good ones due to generous members here.

The chocolate I get in Coromandel isn't as prominent as Borneo's and it's edges are much softer. Coromandel gets out of the gate with spiced up patch and within 10 minutes or so, a vanilla / chocolate tandem show up at the party. This is gourmand-like......but it's not gourmand. It just works beautifully.

At $1 per ml.,this is actually a bargain. The bottles are huge, but it's worth the time it takes to save up 2 bills.

Coromandel is the patchouli entry in Chanel’s Les Exclusifs line, and was apparently composed by the new house perfumer Christopher Sheldrake. Sheldrake’s fingerprints are all over this scent, and I agree on the oft-observed resemblance to his previous Borneo 1834 for Serge Lutens. The two scents are very similar in their late stages, sharing as they do a fuzzy, if slightly generic, synthetic woody amber drydown. In neither case is this accord as crass or heavy as in say, Lolita Lempicka au Masculin or Guerlain Homme, but I would have liked something more original by way of basenotes, especially the second time around.

Before it dries down Coromandel is a sweeter, spicier, and hence more approachable scent than Borneo 1843, the dusty patchouli-cocoa accord being softened by a creamy iris note. Between the extra sweetness, the texture of the iris, and the gentle spices, Coromandel borders closely on the gourmand, though it never quite ventures as far as “edible.” I attribute the inedible quality to a sharp, tangy edge on the patchouli. This piquancy very noticeable up top, but persists well into the heart of the scent. If it lingered even longer it would make a wonderful counterweight to the somewhat flat woody amber in the drydown. Coromandel’s sillage and projection are contained as patchouli rich fragrances go, but it’s by no means a weak or stingy scent. While I’m not in love with it’s drydown, I imagine many others will be happier with it, and since the rest of the fragrance is rich and beautifully composed I have to rate Coromandel an overall success.

The quality of Coromandel is evident in the amazing reviews that precede my own - truly well done reviews are often inspired by a well done fragrance.

Coromandel is one of those very rare fragrances that is far more about the feel than the actual notes. As many have mentioned, it is a patchouli fragrance that doesn't smell like patchouli. It's been 'Chanelized' - made classy and discrete. Whenever I wear Coromandel I am struck with a notion that there is something very wine-like about it...smooth and luxurious, even while the sillage and longevity are significant. Unlike it's 'sister' Borneo 1834 in which the patchouli and chocolate notes are distinct and evident, Coromandel is blended so well that the entire experience of wearing it is like being enveloped in a chocolate blanket, only it's a type of chocolate you've never heard of or tasted before (and that you probably can't afford).

Patchouli in and of itself has very cocoa-like qualities, and whatever was done to blend Coromandel took the best, similar qualities of patchouli and cocoa and combined them such as to make a seamless whole. Truly fantastic, and if you're going to splurge on one 200ml Exlcusifs jug, this is the one to do it on.

If I can convince myself this is appropriate for summer wear, it will officially become my HG. I could write on and on about this but the basic message is: elegant and comforting at the same time; smelling it always makes me feel better. Smooth without being in the slightest bit bland, it goes through myriad changes on the skin, and seems to show different facets at every wear. A totally Chanel patchouli segues gradually, playfully into soft powdery benzoin.

Chanel Coromandel

One thing I can say about all of the Chanel exclusifs I've worn so far is they don't feel the same to me. Coromandel starts off with a patchouli and spice top. Now this is not the patchouli of the Summer of Love this is the patchouli of dried,powdered root.Dry and desiccated and light, mixed with the spiciness this is an unusually light start for a ptachouli-forward fragrance.The patchouli remains throughout the development as in the heart I get some florals beofre the chocolate accord makes itself known. As before, this is the chocolate of cocoa powder dusty and rich. The base is amber and musk and is the most conventional part of this scent on me. Thankfully what has gone before was unconventional enough that I forgive it. How this is not marketed as unisex is quite beyond me.

My first impression of Coromandel is of a soft and lovely powder. It reminds me of the vanilla powder essence in Kenzo Amour and even moreso of Guerlain's Angelique Noire ~ which is actually an almond/vanilla. In fact, my nose convinced me to check them side by side, and sure enough, the Angelique Noire and Coromandel are kissing cousins! Yes, almond/vanilla it is! There is a playfulness of fruited notes that prevent the composition from becoming dark or brooding. Amber comes across rich, and the entire blend is wrapped with a perfect patchouli. The partnership of Polge and Sheldrake is a dream team if ever there was one!

My favorite exclusif. My favorite patchouli scent.

Coromandel is a refined and multifaceted blend that revolves around patchouli and (white) chocolate. It is very rounded and smooth as opposed to Sheldrake's "other" patchouli and chocolate, Borneo 1834, which is blunt, monolithic, and very "in your face." Don't get me wrong though, both are great, but go different directions.

this smells good but I would definitely not say this could be used for a man. way to feminine for men

I have been trying to understand Coromandel for a while now. I first tried it from a small 1ml dabber sample. At the time, my initial impressions were the same as much of the Chanel Exclusifs line--high quality ingredients, seems like a solid composition worthy of the Chanel name, etc., etc. Of the ones I tried, Coromandel was toward the top, but not quite good enough for me to want to explore it with any particular zeal. I shelved it for another time...a time when I would have a spray decant and a larger amount I could wear several times. Finally, I rekindled this back-burner fragrance.

Coromandel starts off very spicy and earthy. It supposedly contains patchouli, however, it is definitely not a "head shop" type of patchouli. In fact, it seems almost not patchouli at all except for the quirky aromatic plant root smell which is one of patchouli's strong characteristics. The spice is a blend, probably of pepper, cinnamon and clove. Like other fragrances that combine patchouli and spice, the mixture is very synergistic, making the patch seem less funky and the spices less edible. Below the surface is an overripe fruit and boozy floral accord, but in the beginning, it is not very apparent. It gives the dry patchouli and spice a bit of needed wetness and some sweetness. The fragrance develops much more slowly than the other Exclusifs I have tried (Eau de Cologne, 31 Rue Cambon, 28 La Pausa and Bel Respiro), and it is stronger, more like a cross between EDT and EDP.

As the top notes settle, the fruit and floral notes becomes more prominent. I think Coromandel is classified as an oriental, and so far it fits this category. The fruit and floral accord reminds me of a similar accord in Shiseido Feminite du Bois. The honey and woody notes of FdB are lacking in Corormandel, but the raisiny tart and sweet "desert wine" is there. Actually, this accord seems to be exactly the same as the overripe fruit and floral I smell in 31 Rue Cambon. It is as if the perfumer took this one central accord, "florified" it for 31RC and "spicified" it for Coromandel. Given that something in 31RC turned really sour on my skin in the drydown, I am very happy to have this yummy accord in a different composition that works much better on my skin.

In the middle part of the development, Coromandel still has the spice and patchouli. At this stage, the fragrance really smells a lot like dirt to me. The dirt is so strong, it eclipses most everything else. When I try to pick out the other notes, I still smell the spices pretty strongly, but the fermented fruit accord is quite a bit more subdued. Also at this stage, a powdery floral note comes out, and to my nose, this is the only truly feminine part of the development. The dirt is rather strong, though, and on me this stage lasts a pretty long time (at least an hour, probably more like two). It could be that a resin is responsible for this dirt scent, or perhaps a combination of resin with the patchouli. Some fragrances that have a lot of resins in the base tend to have a strange, almost BO scent to them. Combined with patchouli, I can certainly imagine a weird mix of salty, BO-ish resin and aromatic plant roots translating into the smell of dirt. I suppose this could be a turnoff for some, but I find it to be fascinating.

In the late stages, Coromandel takes a twist, and seems to turn from an oriental to a fougere (free of oakmoss, of course). I smell dry spices, some powder, light incense (probably also from the resin), some herbs, and a very nice amber musk. In fact, in the drydown, Coromandel smells incredibly close to the drydown of Divine l'Homme Sage, but a bit less dry and with some floral lingering from the middle notes. Well, I love Dl'HS, so I am really enamored of the Coromandel drydown also. And, I must say that the spices were extremely well behaved throughout--bright and sharp, but not taking over the whole composition. Longevity has been great--I can still smell it 12 hours later.

I believe Coromandel is classified as a women's fragrance, but I have no doubt that a man could wear this one. The middle stage with juicy fermented fruit and a bit of floral powder may be the only deterrents. I don't care much for gender labels, but if I compare this to other female fragrances from Chanel, it seems really different--much more mutable, dependent upon mood, time of day, and what stage of development the fragrance has reached. It certainly carries the legacy of Coco with the boozy floral note, but there is nothing else in Chanel's line that comes close to Coromandel. I certainly hope this is a sign of things to come.

This was truly awful on me, chocolate/patchouli combo like a club to the head. So sad!

I'm with bbBD that I almost don't want to put a review in because I simply can't do it justice. This is in the top 5 scents I've smelled this whole year. I might even say higher than that, but the year's not over. :)

I would describe it overall as a rich, yet accessible take on patchouli and chocolate. However, there are just so many wonderful aspects all along the way that make it as wonderful as it is. The opening has the peppery tart spray of bitter orange peel that JaimeB mentions with a sweet chocolate undertone. The spices are gritty and light, not ones to hit the back of your throat.. A wonderful patchouli that you wouldn't necessarily identify unless you knew to look for it emerges with just the slightest powdery feathering. It settles into a rich, warm leathery scent that still retains some of its top notes punch and even has a comforting, classic feel to it. I don't know many classic Chanels, but the dry down makes me think of a complex scent with such depth a company like this would have produced.

This is really a masterpiece for me. I knew I would end up buying it within minutes of sampling it. I took a sample and wore it that night and the next day and bought a bottle the next afternoon. The bottle is gorgeous and the base of the box doubles as a Chanel stand for the bottle.

Wow... I know I'm not sophisticated enough with fragrances to write a review that does this justice. The initial notes are strong and somewhat discordant, with a heavy incense and pepper focus. I am utterly transfixed with the dry down and may simply have to buy a bottle. A strong patchouli intertwines with vanilla in such a way as to create a chocolate-esque fragrance - the way yellow and blue make green What is so wonderful is that I can smell, at once, the patchouli, the vanilla, and the combination of the two. Leather and amber enhance and round out the fragrance.

Longevity and sillage are great. Having sampled all the exclusifs I can honestly say there isn't a bad one in the bunch, and I would be happy if any were on my shelf, but if I had to choose one this would be it. Final thought, I find this to be unisex and best and if it was classified as masculine I wouldn't blink. This could be worn by a woman but seems more appropriate on a man.

Pepper, Frankincense, Patchouli, Benzoin, Leather, Woods, Orange Peel, Spice, Dry Amber, Vanilla.

Quite remarkable as a woody oriental, with spice and a hint of leather. It is rather dense, complex at first, but ends in a patchouli-oriental-woody drydown. The name suggests the famous carved and lacquered Chinese screens which were transshipped to Europe from treaty ports, such as the British Fort St. George and the French Pondicherry, along the Coromandel Coast of southeastern India (parts of the current states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu). Apparently there were some such screens at the apartments of Coco Chanel, and according to the firm's blurb, these made her "faint with happiness." I suppose the woods in the fragrance represent the screens, and the patchouli and spices are meant to evoke the mysteries of India. If you ask me, this is one of the best of the Exclusifs de Chanel line.

A very un-Chanel-like fragrance, it lacks the usual transparency, right from the start. With a heavy vanilla combined with a piquent incense, it creates an unsettled accord that veers between creamy-sweet and campherous-resinous. Don't worry, it all works out when an earthy patchouli steps forward and steers it down a definite woody-sweet path. It might take some getting-used-to, not being what you would expect from Chanel (more like Montale Patchouli Leaves) but its intriguing and a move in a new direction, toward the style of niche houses. Initially I preferred the beautiful 31 Rue Cambon, which goes on drier and gradually develops a sweet peachy note. However, Coromondel won my affection with its more overt, fascinating candied fruit note and pronounced patchouli. It's less subtle, but then, so am I.

I like this one quite a lot. If you favor gourmand scents or a strong pathcouli you will love this one. It is warm and honey caramel at the outset with a hint of dry frankincense in the background giving it depth and mystery. As it wears down a bit the caramel sweetness becomes a chocolate with a honey edge and the frankincense turns into a dry and forceful patchouli basenote. Similar to Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 but the chocolate is not nearly so dark and patchouli not quite so dry. Stays warm and inviting throughout, unlike SL Borneo which moves over to the dark side. A unisex fragrance, but it is definitely not for everyone or everyday.

I am in the western sitting room. The low late autumn sun streams in. I am nestled in Grandpa’s chair, the ornate patterns in the velvet worn to indeterminate flows of ruby, rich brown, amber, and warm olive green. The chair still holds traces of his herbal rub and sandalwood and somehow the cold traces of the stones he cut and polished amongst all the reflected warmth of his personality. As the smells fade and the light disappears I am left with the amber warmth laced with distant spice and cinnamon melting into vanilla pod and a remembered smile.

I agree with almost everything robyogi has said. I love most of the chanel range and this is no exception, however if I had known how much it resembles Prada, I would have chosen one of the other of the new six. It is lighter and more feminine, but still has that constant benzoin aroma from application through drydown until last lingering aroma. Longevity is amazing, so need to use sparingly. My only disappointment is that the size of bottle is not sensible at all. I will never use 200 mls however fond I am of it.

Coromandel works well on my Wife as well as myself. On me it is similar to Egoiste, but with a twist. Instead of drying to a woody note, Coromandel is more spicy.

My Wife and I both would put this in the gourmand category. It's a warm comfort scent that works well for men and women. Most of the time you can't make out particular notes and you simply don't care. Everytime I get a chance I look around to make sure somebodys not looking at me, and smell my wrist.
Ahh! What does it smell like now? This heaven or that heaven, I'm confident it will one of them.
Easily the best of the new Les Exclusifs.
It has the best sillage and lasting power of the 6 also. I'm buying a bottle because I have someone to share it with. Even if I didn't I would buy one for myself because I know I could empty it.

A modern oriental at its best! Pepper, frankincense and patchouli with a vanillic undertone makes me swoon! I didn't expect all 6 scents to be earth shattering, but I was certainly hoping they were wearable for either gender. It's interesting that the House didn't mention aspects of what kind of person should wear it, but rather to make a connection with the memories of the different places Chanel occupied. The raw materials used are of great quality, you can really smell its opulence. I'm not sure this reminds me of silk screen paintings as the name suggests, but definitely suggests an air of the orient meeting French refinement, elegance, and modern practicality. Coromandel is in my top two of the Exclusifs. Hoping they will offer smaller bottles so that I can actually afford one!

Right from the start, this one has "wow!" written all over it. Something about the opening of this reminds me very clearly of Musc Ravageur. As it dries down, it's easy to pick up the SL Borneo reference that Luca Turin makes. The patchouli here, as in Borneo, is soft, dry, earthy, and approachable, while still smelling "real." The benzoin sweetness is also apparent, but clear and never heavy. In the middle stage, Coromandel reminds me a bit of Prada for women, but it's not nearly as heavy or syrupy as that. The Musc Ravageur allusion is still present as well, though less so than in the opening. The final stage is a lighter, wood and vanilla scent that somehow still manages to be interesting. For men, if you can pull off Musc Ravageur, Angel for Men, or Borneo, you can pull this off. Very much worth a test. I can't wait to try the rest of these. My only complaint is that they only offer these in 200 or 400 ml bottles! Who can use 200 ml of anything? Come on fragrance manufacturers...get real. Offer more fragrances in 30 and 15 ml sizes.

Conjures up the atmosphere of Coco's apartment in Paris, to be specific, her living room, with the back-drop of the fabulous black/gold Chinese Coromandel screen. Sophisticated scent, more for the evening. A touch of the mysterious, with a bit of playfulness.