Sampaguita Jasmine (2010)
by 40 Notes

The opening blast of this is easily one of the best jasmines I've ever smelled. Because it's oil-based, I'm assuming there's an awful lot of real jasmine in here which is doing that. If, like me, you're obsessed with the smell of really good jasmine tea - the way the floral jasmine sits on top of a subtle tea smell - Sampaguita Jasmine gets that pretty much perfect. There are some indoles in there as well, keeping it in the realm of perfume as opposed to food, but it's quite true to that jasmine tea smell.

The base is interesting, an unexpected mix of neroli and white soap lifted with a pinch of vetiver. This stage is clearly inspired by the soapy green smell of Mugler Cologne, though it's much soapier and the lingering jasmine keeps it floral. A few hours in, a quiet papyrus tobacco leaf note peeks out from under the floral green soap, but since this is an oil perfume, it's pretty quiet after 5 or 6 hours.

Personally speaking, I'm not too enthralled by the soapy green aspects of Sampaguita Jasmine - it's clever but doesn't blow me away. But those top-notes really are amazing. Seriously. So this is definitely worth a sniff for the jasmine or tea fanatics.