Impossible Iris by Ramon Monegal

I decided to test this fragrance having before experimented on my skin the holy Le Labo Iris 39 (one of the most majestic Iris ever) and i have to underline the utterly floral-indolic and (barely) aqueous nature of the Monegal one, if compared with the musky/animalic and rooty/earthy Iris 39's mystic nature. I don't use to crave for such kind of minimalistic and indolic juices too much stressed over the floral path although have to recognize the more than remarkable craftsmanship in the appointment of this utterly natural and assertive floral concoction (natural but with a rather short duration on my skin-but possibly it is just ostensible). I substantially agree with the complex Drseid's previous reconstruction; Impossible Iris, before to become all about a natural Iris standing over a weak, aqueous and dry cedary bed, is anteceded by a really botanic/indolic wet ylang-ylang burst and flanked in a while by a sheer jasmine and a juicy raspberry which imprint a fruity and intensely floral vibe to the blend, before the note of iris starts to emerge in all its glory but floating over a sink of aqueous fruitiness characterizing the general ambience. The note of Iris is finally wet, vaguely peppery and cedary while Iris 39 becomes in the dry down more dark, sharp, animalic, massive and rooty/earthy. Two different takes on the main theme. A well appointed and modern humid/assertive but juicy (berries) Iris that anyway hardly gratifies my full pleasure.

Impossible Iris opens with a considerable amount of ylang-ylang before almost immediately transitioning to its iris heart. The iris here is not as powdery or as waxy as one might expect, but instead you get the true nature of the iris in all its glory with just the right amount of slightly soapy powder. The iris is well-supported by prominent jasmine and just the slightest amounts of raspberry and mimose balancing the composition with an almost hidden cedar in the base. Projection is average and longevity is excellent. I am not a big fan of iris compositions in general, so I went into smelling Impossible Iris on skin with very low expectations... It would apparently be near-impossible for me to truly enjoy just about any iris composition, but I can definitely vouch for the scent's name being legit as I absolutely love Impossible Iris! Monegal achieves the unthinkable in letting the iris come through unobscured by the usual characters, while complimenting it rather brilliantly with just the right amount of jasmine and raspberry to let the iris shine while underpinning it with just the right support. The cedar in the scent is hidden so well that I really have to concentrate to smell it, and frequently just enjoy the iris without thinking about it being there at all. Finally an iris composition I really want to buy, earning an excellent 4 stars out of 5... An "Impossible Iris" indeed!