Drôle de Rose (1996)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

It starts off as a strong violet and with time turns into the most exquisite, powdery violet-rose scent wrapped in silky honey, grinded almonds and just a little bit of that sweet liquorice from the aniseed.

I can only elaborate upon Vibert's eloquent commentary by adding that to my nose, this L'artisan is a true "lipstick rose" - even moreso than Malle's! It is absolutely adorable!

Drole de Rose is a cheerful fruity-sweet green rose scent that reads to me a bit like a brightened L’Ombre dans l’Eau and a bit like a rosier, happier Calandre. It’s the combination of fruit and rose that reminds me of L’Ombre dans l’Eau, and the hay and fresh-mown grass that bring Calandre, or even Vent Vert to mind.

Drole de Rose is rounder, softer, and sweeter than any of the others, and absent the influence of strong indoles, it’s also extremely clean and innocent. That it manages this without any of the stereotypically “fresh” notes and without being insufferably bland is a tribute to Olivia Giacobetti’s artfulness. What keeps my interest in Drole de Rose is a lightly honeyed hay and floral accord that’s highly suggestive of narcissus. This accord is very stable and persists for hours on my skin. If ever a fragrance merited the adjective “adorable,” this is it.

Though rose is not one of my top ten favorite notes, this fragrance is charming. It's got a bit of baby lotion accord, which is not overpowering or even dominant, as well as a muted violet, and both balance out the rose. I would not call this a 'rose-centric' fragrance, and maybe that's why I like it. Very soft with absolutely no sharpness or hard edges. A cuddly rosey-ish pillow of silky fluff!