Fleur D'Oranger by L'Artisan Parfumeur, 2005

I submit here my review about Al Oudh from this brand while waiting (and it's long time i've been doing it) for the upcoming special space on the directory, really sorry. Typical Duchaufour's creation, spicy and incensey in execution with a leathery and animalistic substance, an orangy-rosey touch and traces of final resinous temperament. Orientalistic. The dosage of aoud in here is anyway less impressive and more attenuated than in some creations of Montale, Bond or Nasomatto for instance and is blended in low misure with a concert of elements in the way the scent turns out subtle and complex without a strong and powerful sillage. This one is oriental and mystic in perception even if in my opinion it does't reach the levels of the spiritual Dzongkha. Al Oudh starts very spicy with a strong presence of black-rose pepper, cumin and cinnamon. This prickly dust introduces a leathery base with the animalic traits of civet-castoreum and with the featuring work of neroli and rose. The last are perceivable many hours later the first spray when the dust is in part tamed and the smoothness of the base is playing its role. The base is smoked woods and incense with a touch of creamy myrrh and vanilla. The incense is with neroli and rose the key element because its echo spreads the reflextion since the beginning. The final issue is a refined and aristocratic, dry incense-orange with prickly and creamy nuances, ideal for an insight in the ambiences of bon-ton and culture.

(Please note that L'Artisan re-released this fragrance in 2007. From what I've heard, the 2005 and 2007 aren't that different, but be aware that I'm talking about the 2007 version.)
I am completely in love with this fragrance. I've been searching for the perfect orange-blossom fragrance for summer, and this is it, no contest. It starts out with a sharp, almost acrid green, like a flower that's just about to burst into bloom. But on me the green only lasted a moment, and then the orange blossom was in bloom. It's a lovely dry orange blossom, not overly sweet, and it absolutely doesn't smell like bathroom cleaner or wood polish. In just another couple of moments, the honey and beeswax notes come forward. They complement the orange blossom just beautifully, and overall the fragrance evokes a sunny orange orchard bordered with honeysuckle... except it's not quite as floral-sweet as honeysuckle would be. The dry-down is not as orange-y and the honey dims, too, but it's still just beautiful. I have to reapply it every few hours, and like most L'Artisan fragrances, the sillage is not AT ALL overpowering.
Perhaps the best compliment I can give it is that my boyfriend keeps coming back to sniff me. :)