Mazzolari Patchouly
by Mazzolari

Even though there’s more projection and longevity in Mazzolari Patchouly than the other fragrances I’ve tried from this house, I still could have done with a lot more oomph.

It most certainly is a great patchouli scent, with a sweet boozy amber accord to balance things out nicely. However, I’m left wondering if I’d be much better off with Montale’s Patchouli Leaves instead of this – the fact that Montale’s creation is easier to obtain, in EDP form and retails at a significantly lower price (in Paris, that is) doesn’t help matters.

It’s quite rare for me to appreciate Italian perfumery but this creation certainly deserves it. I just wish it had more strength and distinction.

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

As a note, patchouli isn’t one of my favorites. So I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Mazzolari’s rendition of patchouli. I enjoy how it is blended with amber and honey, giving it a rich, sensual feeling. The balance between the amber and patchouli is key to making this work for me. On application, Patchouli projects with an intensity that I haven’t seen matched to date; no need to smell my wrist, I smell it everywhere around me. The patchouli cloud settles, but it lasts 15+ hours on my skin. I think this would work for both men and ladies.

I had almost written this one off. I must have been sleepy when I first tried it out. It went on as a patchouli: OK, it was a very good, deep rich, patchouli… the kind I’ve met in several niche houses… not as smooth and creamy as Patchouli Leaves, but certainly as rich... an excellent patchouli! yawn. Well, I fell asleep for maybe a half or a whole hour. When I woke up the first thing I thought was “where is that wonderful smell coming from?” This would be a terrible story if it wasn’t coming from the Mazzolari Patchouly, and it was… the smell, I mean, was coming from the Mazolari Patchouly. That dry down is beautiful… a modicum of spices, the deep, rich patchouli, and some amber and honey. What a aesthetic accord – not lutensesque, but refined, rich, and subtle. Trebor is right with his description of this fragrance, but I love the fact that this exhibits subtlety and transparency. I’ve found another patchouli fragrance that I can love.

This is the first Mazzolari I've ever tried, so I didn't know what to expect. Being tipped off that a little goes a long way, I went with a small application on my neck and just a dot on my arm so I could analyze. A strong patchouli note isn't immediately evident, but clearly it is part of the depth and structure of the fragrance. The accords mix and meld from amber to incense and woods, with sweet and resinous notes in balance. About 2 hours after application a very clean patchouli note became clear, but amber balances the patchouli to keep it from becoming piercing or overbearing as it does in Montale's Patchouli Leaves.

I've been on big patchouli kick lately, and for me this ranks up there with Borneo 1834 - which is near the top but not nearly as nice as Chanel Coromandel, which is way beyond its nearest competitor.

First sniff... reminds me of the same quality as an Ayala Moriel fragrance. Thick and creamy like Ayala Moriel's Democracy but basenotes of Film Noir. A very good non herbal smelling patchouli. Warm and delightful.

This is the good stuff: woody, earthy, sexy, and waaaay too well composed to smell like any dirty hippie. Mazzolari Patchouly is no less bold than Mazzolari Lui, but it’s a bit simpler. It lacks its brother’s barbershop lavender, the woody drydown reveals much less powder, and any leather component is so deeply buried beneath the smooth patchouli as to be insignificant. What Mazzolari Patchouly wears instead is a golden robe of honeyed, post coital amber, rich enough to be seductive, but never so sweet as to suggest dessert. As do most of the Mazzolari scents I’ve tried, this one has room-filling projection and sillage that hangs in the air through the next week. Don’t put it on if you don’t feel like patchouli for the next 12 hours either, ‘cause you’ll have to flay yourself to get it off.

One of the best patchoulis on the market, but not for the faint of heart!