Eau Mage by Diptyque, 2011

Diptyques does Comme Des Garcons...well, sort of. Often described as "the least Diptyque of all the Diptyques", "The best Diptyque ever" or "the worst Diptyque ever"...one thing is for sure, L'Eau Mage is a polarizing composition or, as a friend use to say, an "iconic fragrance". Eau Mage is built around a consitent dose of clean, woody and sort of animalic ambroxan juxtaposed to a fresh-spicy opening of mandarine-orange and cumin. The overall effect is of a clean and at the same time dark musk with a slightly metallic edge provided by the rose oxide/ambroxan combo. If you're into older Diptyques like L'Ombre Dans L'Eau or, let's say, L'Autre, you'll probably be disappointed, instead if you're up for an abstract take on synthetic musks entirely played on juxtapositions, this is a big winner. Minimalistic yet incredibly distinctive and satisfying. By all means modern stuff. Great projection and lasting power.

Not bad but not great. This reminded me of Cartier's Declaration, due to the prominent citrus and cumin notes. However, it is much quieter and in the relatively rapidly-reached drydown becomes a flat, dusty, woody skin scent.