Dover Street Market (2009)
by Comme des Garçons

This is better than neutral; not because it is original for CDG (it is NOT),
but because it is a bridge between the dusky/smoky incense series, and the gorgeous and freshly alien-vibe of CDG 3.
Heavier and woodier than CDG 3; would actually make a decent substitute, since CDG 3 is quite difficult to come across these days.

20th July, 2011.

I like it. I agree with the assessment below that Dover Street is a good entry-level offering by CdG into their incense style. It is not as bold as Hinoki nor does it make such distinctive statements as the Incense Series scents. This is an office-friendly, casual sort of scent and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The scent is bright, sprightly, and energizing. Citrus-pepper opening notes give way to nutty-woody spice (coriander) and good hints of resinous incense. The tangy juniper does give a gin-like note. Generally, the notes are smoothly blended. The dry-down has lovely incense and wood notes... in a light, translucent style. Its restraint and casual charm make this rather classy, in my opinion. Suitable for any occasion, any weather.

12nd May, 2011.

I’m not sure what I’m getting – some citrus, some pine, I believe, and some labdanum. I can identify those notes as individual, but, except for the first thirteen seconds, they don’t seem to be working in combination… When I smell the opening accord I’m thinking: “This can’t be Comme des Garçon… CdG would make something more interesting than this!” I mainly find the opening accord insignificant and a little bit off. Significance eludes the heart notes, too, to my nose. Dover Street Market gets really barren in these middle notes except for an unimpressive wood accord. I lose just about everything except some residual pine and a bit of patchouli.

I don’t smell any incense, and that may be why I have problem with it. I probably have selective anosmia to whatever they are using for incense, and this is a factor in my lack of appreciation for the entire fragrance. I’m missing the cedar and juniper berries, too. I get weakness for sillage and shortness for longevity… I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with my Avignon and Kyoto because Dover Street Market is just not very interesting.

6th April, 2011.

Very much like other CDG offerings -- the pepper and woods mixture is almost becoming a signature note with them. The pepper and pine seem to dominate the whole fragrance after a time -- I don't find the incense very noticeable except for adding a sort of dusty dry vibe. Longevity and sillage are both good for me and it isn't very expensive. Not innovative but I like it.

7th April, 2010.

I really love the top notes on Dover Street Market: an extra tart citrus cocktail spiked with frankincense. Unfortunately, the pleasant, but by now unremarkable smoky incense accord that follows is comparatively pedestrian. It smells like something torn right out of the Bertrand Duchaufour playbook, circa 2002. Comme des Garçons has done this kind of thing to death already, and while it’s certainly possible to like Dover Street Market more (or less) than any number of other dry incense fragrances, I can’t say that it adds anything to the house’s lineup. Neither terribly potent or all that long lasting, if those are concerns.

13rd December, 2009.

Comme des Garcons Dover Street Market

When it comes to incense scents Comme des Garcons has certainly found its niche. From the Incense Series through to Hinoki you would think they've found every variation on the theme but 2009's Dover Street Market shows that there is at least one more variation left to be explored. Dover Street Market was described as "a modern twist on a classic woody fragrance". I guess what that means is this is an incense scent laid over woody notes. The funny thing is that the woods are the least prominent part of this fragrance. The top is a yin and yang mix of citrus and pepper. This kind of tart and spicy beginning leads well into the appearance of the incense along with a very lively juniper and coriander which almost gives off a gin accord under the incense. The base is mostly patchouli with cedar and pine finally coming into play to supply the promised woods. Dover Street Market is perhaps the lightest incense fragrance that Comme des Garcons has made and that might make it a good introductory scent to the Comme des Garcons style of incense perfumes. Dover Street Market has average longevity and average sillage, on me. As one who likes almost all of them I think this, for me, will be a more everyday kind of incense and another possibility to think about when I'm in an incense mood.

12nd December, 2009.