Reviews of Iris 39 (2006)
by Le Labo

A very cold and dry rooty/earthy iris fragrance. Like purplebird said, austere. I don't normally like iris, but I think I like this one more because it's cold and dry rather than cold and wet like mosts iris root scents. It's almost dusty, even, and a little sharp/acrid but in a way I find pleasant. Maybe it's the patchouli? It's not murky or musky like some patchouli scents though, it has a naturally "clean" feeling to it, clean like earth and rain and green growing things in the cool spring. That "clean" vibe almost, but only almost, verges on laundry detergent territory at times. This could easily be "unisex" or even "masculine", in my opinion - not that I care for gender designations but just so you get an idea of how far from sweet and fluffy it is. I don't love it - I don't think it's a scent to love. It's very reserved.

Strange scent. Prominent violet and earthy iris, a bit powdery, very cool. This an austere fragrance with a cold, rich, woody violet. It is well constructed and fascinating, but I generally prefer my fragrances warmer. (This proclamation is coming from someone who loves Chanel No. 19, so you can imagine how cool Iris 38 is.) In the final analysis, like a character in a vintage cartoon once said, "It just dooooooon't send me."