L'Eau de Tarocco (2009)
by Diptyque

L'Eau de Tarocco is a beautiful, natural and refreshing citrus scent, but the musk in the base is too synthetic, clashing with the natural vibe. In essence, it feels like two different fragrances: a natural one over a synthetic one. I like musk of all kinds, but the musk cocktail here rubs me the wrong way. Whatever the musk in the base is, it's more or less the same musk cocktail used in Geranium pour Homme. Not for me, this one.

6.5/10

Saffron and cedar make this eau de cologne memorable, and different from others in the genre. i don't quite smell the blood orange here (that's what the name 'tarocco' means in Italian). The citrus notes that are the hallmark of the genre are fine in this one, however, and seem to complement the spice-and-wood theme very well. Incense rounds out the accord and gives it a bit of distinction and suavity. One doesn't tire of this; it makes a good steady scent to wear in fine weather.

By Olivier Pescheux. He also composed Arpège pour Homme which is best as a cuddly shower-gel. This one is in a different league. Blood oranges at the start have a dizzy mix of zing and flesh which makes me want to get right up there to the terraces in sight of Etna where they grow. Of course, so aerated an opening can’t last but what follows is good too, though not quite as good – a musky cushion of ginger, rose and saffron, soft but slightly rasping like a cat’s tongue. For a cologne, the persistence is fine, though it stays close to the skin which is how I like ’em. “Tarocco oranges, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, rose, cedar, frankincense, saffron, Serenolide and Cosmone”

Diptyque L'Eau de Tarocco

Diptyque released a trio of L'Eaus in 2008 and while I thought they were all OK none of them made me feel like they were great. It looks like practice makes perfect as the 2009 release by Olivier Pescheux goes well beyond OK, for me. M. Pescheux has made two of my favorites in his two efforts for Yves Rocher, Irir Noir and Voile D'Ambre. In those cases he takes the titular note and uses it as a central theme to build around. L'Eau d'Tarocco takes a different approach. Tarocco refers probably to the Tarocco Orange but Tarocco also refers to a card game played with tarot cards. I see this scent as a pattern of tarot cards being laid out. The first card laid down is "The Sun" as the top of this is full of orange both tart and sweet reminiscent of a sunny orange grove. The second card laid over "The Sun" is "Strength" as cinnamon and ginger add some power to the citrus in the top. As we move to the heart "The High Priestess" shrouded in roses appears. The heart of this comes in as a full rose accord and can run the risk of being slightly powdery. I think I would've liked a little less powder here. The base is represented by "The Emperor" as the scents of the cedar throne and the incense of the throne room are laid over a very sheer musk. The base is very well-balanced on my skin and in the cedar moves away from the powdery turn that was taken in the heart and that's a good thing. If you're looking for a new summer scent then let Monsieur Metro Man tell your fortune and recommend a trip to the closest Diptyque vendor, there you will find happiness.