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Burr gives Cuir Ottoman by Parfum d'Empire four stars

post #1 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:42am
Thread Starter 
'...Not all men love the scent of leather. Perfumers create it using the smoky, hot-asphalt smell of birch tar, pyrazines (think pyromaniac in molecular form) and isoquinolines. This takes some getting used to. Putting on Andy Tauers Lonestar Memories the smell of smoking tar and mesquite charcoal lingering on a cowboys saddle is like bungee jumping into a volcano. Lancômes Cuir (cuir means leather in French) and Chanels Cuir de Russie are leather made more seductive, and Hermèss breathtaking recent leather, Kelly Calèche, is one of the loveliest, most ingenious perfumes in decades: a supple, luxurious leather band, tanned and oiled, wrapped around a crystal vase holding subtle spring flowers.

Corticchiatos approach, Cuir Ottoman, is less brutal than Tauers, less luxurious than Chanels and more butch than Hermèss. ...'

Read the full review on the NYT The Moment blog here.
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post #2 of 45
4/2/09 at 9:10am
I bought a bottle of this last month, and have been loving it. I have been on a total leather binge this winter. It started with an extended sampling of Etro's Gomma, which I got bored with pretty quickly. It's nice enough, and another very realistic smelling leather, but it lacks any dynamics, any flair. Then I got really into Montale's Oud Cuir d'Arabie. Wow. Amazing stuff. I know some folks react negatively to it, but after being pretty underwhelmed by the whole Montale thing overall, this one seemed more complex, interesting, and well thought out. I know it can be a challenging fragrance, and it is not for everyday wear, but I had a hard time leaving it at home. Then I found this one, Cuir Ottoman. It is a very complex, dynamic fragrance. There is an initial sharpness, reminiscent of Dzing, or Nostalgia, that petrol-like sting that I find strangely addictive. This fades fairly quickly, leaving a dirty, warm, musky, somewhat spicy leather base that lasts well into the day. It has some funky anamalic elements that people may react to, but I find them to be understated enough that I have worn this to work almost daily for the last 2 weeks without ever feeling self conscious. If I have a complaint, it would be that it's longevity could be better. I think it projects pretty well if you're not looking to fill a room, but 6 hours in you may want to reapply.

-Slim
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post #3 of 45
4/2/09 at 9:24am
I love Cuir Ottoman, and one of these days it will find it's way onto my shelf... the only disagreement I have with Burr's statement is with regard to Kelly Caleche. I've gone through half a 15ml bottle testing it, wearing it, etc. and at best I get a hint of leather hiding under the floral and green notes. I like Kelly Caleche, but not for its leather. I have great hopes for the EdP and parfum, both finally available.

Perfumers take many roads to create 'leather', of which there is obviously no essential oil. Obviously a lot of what style you like comes down to personal preference, and the leathers I like the most are the "smooth" luxurious ones (Lancome, Chanel, Parfums d'Empire). Parfumerie Generale's Cuir d'Iris is as strong as a truck and represents the extreme end of the this style of leather. Other styles are the fuel types (En Avion, Film Noir, Nostalgia), and then the abstract types (Kelly Caleche).
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post #4 of 45
4/2/09 at 9:46am
That's 4 stars too many. Cuir Ottoman is absolutely horrid stuff.
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post #5 of 45
4/2/09 at 11:21am
I think it's beautiful, and pretty brutal... in the nicest way.

Not a leather fragrance for the faint of heart but a complex, deep, and true leather scent.

Very masculine to♂
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post #6 of 45
4/2/09 at 11:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by surreality View Post

That's 4 stars too many. Cuir Ottoman is absolutely horrid stuff.

Really? In my brief experience with leather scents, I have found CO to be the easiest leather to love. It has non of the rougher edges that a lot of other leathers have and it's just subtely sweet and smooth. I really like, someday I'd love to own a bottle.
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post #7 of 45
4/2/09 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by surreality View Post

That's 4 stars too many. Cuir Ottoman is absolutely horrid stuff.

A bit dramatic. I am not a fan anymore of CO, but absolutely horrid? Come on now.
I found it to be a smooth suede-like scent that sweetens as it dries down. Boring maybe but far from absolutely horrid.
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post #8 of 45
4/2/09 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
I didn't like it when I tried it. Which is fine - there's a lot of other leathers that I love.
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post #9 of 45
4/2/09 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jock_With_Scents View Post

A bit dramatic. I am not a fan anymore of CO, but absolutely horrid? Come on now.
I found it to be a smooth suede-like scent that sweetens as it dries down. Boring maybe but far from absolutely horrid.


Yep, absolutely horrid, and that is being charitable. There is just something about this that does not agree with me. I've worn it maybe 5 times in an attempt to come to terms with this fragrance and it still seems to me to be a cacophonous, synthetic, muddled poor excuse for a perfume.

When it comes to leather scents, I think I'll stick with Cuir d'Iris and Aoud Cuir d'Arabie as my leathers of choice.
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post #10 of 45
4/2/09 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by surreality View Post

Yep, absolutely horrid, and that is being charitable. There is just something about this that does not agree with me. I've worn it maybe 5 times in an attempt to come to terms with this fragrance and it still seems to me to be a cacophonous, synthetic, muddled poor excuse for a perfume.

When it comes to leather scents, I think I'll stick with Cuir d'Iris and Aoud Cuir d'Arabie as my leathers of choice.

Aoud Cuir d'Arabie? Now that is absolutely horrid stuff.
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post #11 of 45
4/2/09 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jock_With_Scents View Post

Aoud Cuir d'Arabie? Now that is absolutely horrid stuff.

Each to their own. If we all liked the same stuff the world would be a boring place.
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post #12 of 45
4/2/09 at 12:52pm
I find Cuir Ottoman to be unbelievably smooth - but as I mentioned in my post above, leather is an incredibly subjective note. Because it's created from an amalgamation of other notes, my theory is that if you are either anosmic to -or don't like - to one of more of the notes in the leather accord, the composition won't smell like leather, but rather a jumble. I cant's stand HdP 1740, probably because of the immortelle.

Aoud Cuir d'Arabie has some serious shock value it's so strong, and it's certainly not going to appeal to everyone because of that rubbery 'band aid' note at first, but if you can hang on til the drydown it's leather heaven. Nothing beats Cuir d'Iris, imo.

Speaking of leather, there is a new leather fragrance out that's really good - Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea, which is a mix of tobacco, leather, and labdanum. It's got a tobacco bite at first but dries down to a very smooth leather. Good stuff! (samples at sonomoascentstudio.com)
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post #13 of 45
4/2/09 at 1:07pm
I really like Cuir Ottoman and will probably buy a bottle at some point. The only reason I haven't already is that I already own Dzing! and Royal English Leather and CO is very much in the same spirit as those two, although certainly it's less playful than Dzing!
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post #14 of 45
4/2/09 at 2:39pm
No surprise; it's wonderful.
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post #15 of 45
4/2/09 at 3:44pm
I agree with bbBD, J_W_S, and mtgprox5 and I too endorse Cuir Ottoman as a smooth application of leather. It is well made and masterfully balanced, as it evolves I get a sweet suede accord that is unique.
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post #16 of 45
4/2/09 at 6:08pm
CO is very nice, though I think it falls just shy of bottle worthy for me. When I first tried it, I thought it was too powdery, though I came to really appreciate it.

My favorite leather is still Knize Ten (how can we go so long in a leather-related thread without mentioning it?). I'm also a big fan of Cuiron.

A couple other leathers I like and hope to eventually get bottles of: Lonestar Memories and Bandit.
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post #17 of 45
4/2/09 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhinClio View Post

I'm also a big fan of Cuiron.

Cuiron is another "leather' fragrance that is just doesn't do anything for me. I think I dislike Cuiron more than I dislike Cuir Ottoman. In fact, Cuiron is so bad that stars should be deducted from other Helmut Lang fragrances just to make amends for releasing such a vile synthetic smelling concoction on the noses of the world.
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post #18 of 45
4/2/09 at 7:39pm
Perhaps surreality has now filled the void left by everso's departure as the person with the most forceful opinions on leather fragrances? BN must have one, I suppose. What I need surreality to do is convince everyone with the vile Cuiron and atrocious Cuir Ottoman that they are in the minority (not the majority) for liking such fragrances, and that they should send all bottles of both fragrances to me so as to avoid smelling awful. I will then guard the bottles to ensure that no one be exposed to these two terrible fragrances that most leather fragrance fans are clearly out of their minds for enjoying.
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post #19 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:09pm
Not to veer too far OT, but I somehow missed everso's departure/banning. I always found him fairly amusing, in part because I thought he had interesting opinions that were worth listening to. Sorry he's gone. No wonder K10 wasn't mentioned in the first fifteen posts on this thread!
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post #20 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhinClio View Post

Not to veer too far OT, but I somehow missed everso's departure/banning. I always found him fairly amusing, in part because I thought he had interesting opinions that were worth listening to. Sorry he's gone. No wonder K10 wasn't mentioned in the first fifteen posts on this thread!

It was amusing for awhile, but then I started noticing all the reviews that were piling up--"it is not K10, thumbs down". Got a little old.
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post #21 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbBD View Post

Perhaps surreality has now filled the void left by everso's departure as the person with the most forceful opinions on leather fragrances? BN must have one, I suppose. What I need surreality to do is convince everyone with the vile Cuiron and atrocious Cuir Ottoman that they are in the minority (not the majority) for liking such fragrances, and that they should send all bottles of both fragrances to me so as to avoid smelling awful. I will then guard the bottles to ensure that no one be exposed to these two terrible fragrances that most leather fragrance fans are clearly out of their minds for enjoying.

LMAO!

You can send some of the stock to me as an off-site disaster recovery back-up.
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post #22 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asha View Post

It was amusing for awhile, but then I started noticing all the reviews that were piling up--"it is not K10, thumbs down". Got a little old.

Fair enough...but there are times that I wish I could be as thoroughly satisfied with a scent as everso was with K10 (which I love, fwiw, so perhaps that increased my sympathy for his shtick). And he did actually like some other scents. Matter of fact I think I blind bought Escada Homme in part because he raved about it. And I'm happy I did.

All that being said, I've never been a fan of the that's-trash-how-can-you-like-it!?!?! routine that everso had begun to specialize in. I'm happy to write about my likes and dislikes (and to hear about those of others). But I never feel the need to belittle those who have different tastes from me.
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post #23 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbBD View Post

I like Kelly Caleche, but not for its leather. I have great hopes for the EdP and parfum, both finally available.

Have you tried the EDP yet? It is very nice. I am not much into leather perfumes, but I liked it more than the EDT.:wave:
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post #24 of 45
4/2/09 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhinClio View Post

Fair enough...but there are times that I wish I could be as thoroughly satisfied with a scent as everso was with K10 (which I love, fwiw, so perhaps that increased my sympathy for his shtick). And he did actually like some other scents. Matter of fact I think I blind bought Escada Homme in part because he raved about it. And I'm happy I did.

All that being said, I've never been a fan of the that's-trash-how-can-you-like-it!?!?! routine that everso had begun to specialize in. I'm happy to write about my likes and dislikes (and to hear about those of others). But I never feel the need to belittle those who have different tastes from me.

Well, I do agree that it is admirable to take a stand, and that is the good side of this scenario. I sometimes worry that I might offend one of my online friends by giving one of their favorite fragrances a bad review...but then I think, if I don't say what I feel about it, I am just a mealy-mouthed sellout. However, I do feel that if a person doesn't like something, there are intelligent and thoughtful ways to say it. Most verbal trashing is the equivalent of physical fighting, IMO.

Anyway, Cuir Ottoman--I tried it briefly once. On me it smelled really smoky, and I couldn't get past that. I'll dig out my sample again some day, but so many other things are taking my attention. I love the smoke and leather in Amber Russe, though!
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post #25 of 45
4/2/09 at 10:23pm
I love Cuir Ottoman, but can never get around to get anything more than a tiny vial as I feel the desire to wear it so seldom.

I actually have this problem with some other leather fragrances, actually ( including other favorites like Cuir D'Iris, 1740 and Dzing! ) I love them, but I know that a bottle would last me decades, as I'd wear them maybe five to ten times at most over the course of a year. Probably Aoud Cuir D'Arabie is the closest to pushing my "could wear this often button" because it's dry.
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post #26 of 45
4/3/09 at 8:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbBD View Post

Perhaps surreality has now filled the void left by everso's departure as the person with the most forceful opinions on leather fragrances? BN must have one, I suppose. What I need surreality to do is convince everyone with the vile Cuiron and atrocious Cuir Ottoman that they are in the minority (not the majority) for liking such fragrances, and that they should send all bottles of both fragrances to me so as to avoid smelling awful. I will then guard the bottles to ensure that no one be exposed to these two terrible fragrances that most leather fragrance fans are clearly out of their minds for enjoying.

I only have strong opinions on these two fragrances because to my nose they are so shockingly bad. I may be in the minority and hold an unpopular opinion in regard to these two fragrances but even if I were the only person on Earth who disliked Cuiron and Cuir Ottoman I wouldn't change my opinion.
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post #27 of 45
4/3/09 at 8:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asha View Post

if I don't say what I feel about it, I am just a mealy-mouthed sellout.

If we start self-censoring because we think we may offend someone or are reticent to post an opinion about a fragrance because it goes against the tide of popular opinion here on basenotes then we are doing neither ourselves, nor the community at large, any favors.
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post #28 of 45
5/23/11 at 11:52pm
I was hoping I liked Lonestar Memories as much as LDDM, so I could wear a less popular scent, but it just didn't happen. I can't justify getting a FB of Lonestar Memories before LDDM. I have been wanting to try Aoud Cuir d'Arabie for awhile and just recently have heard about Parfum d'Empire. I might as well see what Cuir Ottoman has to offer.
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post #29 of 45
5/24/11 at 1:28am
Cuir Ottoman is smooth like suede as opposed to intense like Gomma or Knize Ten or Cuir de Lancome.
A good friend likens it to smelling a new pair of Tod's shoes. I concur.

Its a leather for the leather connoisseur.
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post #30 of 45
5/24/11 at 4:03am
Cuir Ottoman is a wonderful scent IMO.
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post #31 of 45
5/24/11 at 4:50am
Maybe a bit mannered but surely compelling
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post #32 of 45
12/17/11 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Its a leather for the leather connoisseur.

that´s for sure!! because then It could well be that someone confuse the Cuir Ottoman´s dry down with the smell of a Rexona deodorant. Blame on insomnia!!
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post #33 of 45
12/17/11 at 8:28am
I have it, like it but rarely wear it. I actually liked it much better during sample wears. I have superior leather scents than Cuir Ottoman and wear them instead.

It's good........but not that good.......
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post #34 of 45
8/9/12 at 4:07am
I'm digging up this thread to see if there are any new thoughts on this one.

I've tried quite a lot of leather fragrances over the years and come to the conclusion that this one is really the best fit for me. It nicely fills both the iris and the leather gap in my wardrobe.
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post #35 of 45
8/9/12 at 4:51am
I have recently reacquainted myself with this one with a sample and I get lovely iris and jasmine florals and shoe polish.lol It does not smell like my kind of traditional leather just "shoe polish" which feels weird to have florals and that note. It gets nicer and sweeter with the vanilla in the basenotes but I do not want to smell like shoe polish. It's the way my brain is interpreting the leather note.lol
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post #36 of 45
8/9/12 at 11:43am
There is definitely something about this one that says shoes. I never made the link between this and leather until I sampled it the same day I went out for new shoes and thought "Wow, it really does smell like these!"
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post #37 of 45
8/9/12 at 12:27pm
Thanks for digging up this thread! I've been thinking about getting this in the near future. I'm looking for an iris and leather combo...currently I get my iris kick from Dior Homme Intense and the leather from Leather Oud. I'm hoping for this one to be the combination I'm looking for. I'm unfortunately unable to sample this before buying Please share your thoughts.
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post #38 of 45
8/9/12 at 12:51pm
I can't recommend any blind buy, but I think this is safer than most. This isn't quite it, but: spray Dior Homme on, go to a shoe store, and smell a new pair of leather shoes mixed with your Dior Homme sillage. Like that smell? Then I'm 90% sure you'll like Cuir Ottoman.
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post #39 of 45
8/9/12 at 1:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Hunter View Post

I have recently reacquainted myself with this one with a sample and I get lovely iris and jasmine florals and shoe polish.lol It does not smell like my kind of traditional leather just "shoe polish" which feels weird to have florals and that note. It gets nicer and sweeter with the vanilla in the basenotes but I do not want to smell like shoe polish. It's the way my brain is interpreting the leather note.lol

Is it anything like the 'shoe polish' accord in Tom Ford Extreme?
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post #40 of 45
8/9/12 at 1:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Is it anything like the 'shoe polish' accord in Tom Ford Extreme?

With Tom Ford Extreme the shoe polish note is toned down and within a backdrop of a boatload of other notes that go well together so it fits well. With Cuir Ottoman the florals and the shoe polish note are so different that it stands out like a sore thumb, imagine having icecream on toast. lol It just does not fit, though I do really love the florals with Cuir Ottoman and it gets better in the drydown. But when testing I just could not get out of my head that "shoe polish note"is discordant when paired with the florals. Just my take.
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post #41 of 45
8/9/12 at 2:06pm
I'm currently enjoying Bottega Veneta which is a great suede and apricot (like a more lucid/wearable Daim Blond). How does Cuir Ottoman compare? I can't believe I've gone so long having yet to sample this one.
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post #42 of 45
8/9/12 at 2:27pm
I think I've only sniffed Bottega Veneta on paper ( sounds so familiar, yet can't conjure up the smell ), but it's really not at all like Daim Blond. I get no fruit whatsoever here, which is kind of a relief as fruit plus leather if iffy for me. It's only worked for me in Sarrasis ( which is more about civet to my nose ) and the discontinued D.S. & Durga scent $ ( awesome scent, wish I'd bought it ). Daim Blond and Tuscan Leather are fruit-tastrophies on my skin.

Though really the two scents aren't alike otherwise, I find the leather here's closest cousin to be in Or Black.

As for Tom Ford Extreme, I can't stand it, and it does not remind me of Cuir Ottoman at all actually.
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post #43 of 45
8/9/12 at 3:27pm
Sugandaraja: In God We Trust (boutique in Brooklyn NYC) had 2 bottles of DS & Durga "$" left last time I checked (not listed, call the boutique directly). Last place in the world to get it according to D.S. himself. I'm mystified why DS/Durga discontinued that one, easily their best creation.

I actually don't get much fruit from $ at all, but Bottega Veneta I definitely get apricot. Also, is it just me or does Boxeuses seem like the plum version of Daim Blond? The suede in Boxeuses is absolutely amazing but sadly the longevity isn't too impressive.
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post #44 of 45
8/9/12 at 6:24pm
Leather is hands down my favorite genre. This is one of the best. In my top 3 of leather scents and truly has a realistic leather note (like a leather couch) among other notes. Love the iris in it.

4.5 rounds up to 5 and is one of the few. Amazing juice that isn't too overwhelming or cloying to wear in the heat. My only question at this point is why I still nurse a decant and haven't purchased a bottle.
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post #45 of 45
8/11/12 at 11:35pm
I wouldn't say shoe polish.

More of a freshly sewn pair of Tod's.
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