Aldehyde 44 (2006)
by Le Labo

I was very excited to receive my decant of this obscure item (as someone mentioned, it is only available at the Dallas, TX Barney's). I'm not sure why Le Labo is keeping this so under wraps, but I can report it's good but perhaps not worthy of such exclusivity.

The opening is very reminiscent of the aldehyde laden opening of Chanel No.22. However, whereas No.22's aldehydic strength persists throughout most of the life on the fragrance, Le Labo's fades fairly rapidly. At first some florals and a touch of citrus lay under the aldehydes, and within the first 30 minutes or so the aldehydes fade, leaving a musky, light citrus/fresh/floral. Although pleasant, nothing distinguishes this Le Labo.

I'm not sure what Barney's Dallas charges for this, but based on the decant price it's somewhere around what they charge for Vanille 44 which is only available at the Paris boutique and somewhere around $500/100ml (per TPC's website). If you're looking for an aldehyde-rich floral I think Chanel No.22 is a much better choice, and at $200/190ml it's a significant savings over Le Labo.

Never smelled anything close to it. Musky, medicinal, oriental and metallic. Dry down is amazing! Very sexy but also odd. Left me speechless. Everyone wants it but I am not telling where to get it. Worth every penny!

One of the few powdery fragrances that I love! Aldehyde 44 has a lush, compelling opening of aldehydes with a touch of citrus. As the fragrance dries it just keeps getting softer and cozier. Superbly crafted & balanced, without distinct transitions--similar, in my mind, to the transition of color in ombre fabric! Though, as the fragrance progresses, I smell hints of this note and that note, the only clear cut notes for miles around are the aldehydes. I never knew how wonderful that could be!

All aldehydes in the opening: white flowers and fizzy aldehydes, but without the powderiness usually associated. Gets a musky note fairly quick and a woody drydown. I don't know how unisex this really is but I do like it. Too bad it's only available in Dallas, which will certainly limit its appeal for most