Let's talk Prada Exclusives

So far these are elusive little bottles.. I was able to swap for a bottle of No. 3 - Cuir Ambre with a fellow BN'er (thanks, C.!) and absolutely love it. It's tenacious, high quality stuff.

I was able to determine by placing a phone call to Liberty in London that these are manufactured by Puig in Spain. There have been threads here about people wanting to sample the line (10 in total) and having very little success. I'm one of them.. I know TPC has a few and heard they'll be getting all 10, so that might be the only way to go.

Even more discouraging is the fact Liberty will not ship outside of the UK.

From an earlier post here on BN:

No.1, IRIS (iris) - Mysterious yet fresh, No.1 blends its focal ingredient, Iris, with neroli and musk mallow, orange, vetiver, sandalwood, myrrh, incense, coumarin, and musk.

No.2, OEILLET (carnation) - Floral with a subtle veil of spice, No.2 combines its base note, carnation, with clove, may rose absolute, iris absolute, vetiver, heliotrope, coumarin, sandalwood, patchouli, and musk.

No.3, CUIR AMBRE (ambery leather) - Earthy and sensual, No.3 is a blend of cuir de russie, amber neroli, cilantro, cinnamon, clove, musk mallow, carnation, rose, jasmin absolute, iris absolute, sandalwood, oakmoss, heliotrope, vanilla absolute, and patchouli.

No.4, FLEUR D' ORANGER (orange blossom) - Warm but with a sparkling essence, No.4 blends orange blossom, lily of the valley, rose, jasmin sambac, tuberose absolute, sandalwood, myrrh, patchouli, vanilla, coumarin, and musk.

No.5, NARCISO (narcissus) - combines its key ingredient with bergamot essence, orange blossom, bee's wax absolute, vetiver essence, and musk.

No.6, TUBEREUSE (tuberose) -The key essence, tuberose, is made richer and more complex with the added combination of other classic ingredients, including neroli, rose/violet accord, mate absolute, and musk.

No.7, VIOLETTE (Violet) - introduces a fresh interpretation of the traditional violet scent in combination with galbanum essence, may rose absolute, cassis absolute, iris absolute, and leather accord.

No.8 OPOPONAX (oppoponax) - a soft touch of bergamot refreshes the warm blend of oppoponax in essence as well as in resinoide, cistus, santal and amber

No.9 BENJOIN (benzoin) - the bitter orange tree (bigaradier) allies with the resinous sweet balsamic scent of benzoin enhanced by vanilla and musk.

No.10 - MYRRHE (myrrh) - a surprising combination of fresh citrussy bergamot and cedrat from Italy, with aromatic lavender, and charismatic patchouli and myrrh.

Thanks, Amit

I'm hoping that I can have an opportunity to try them and post my reviews. No. 3 is really all about the leather and has a very precise sillage, if that makes sense.. I thought it was a bit overwhelming at first even at one spray.

Sorry folks, I should re-clarify that the reviews of these fragrances are actually from another BN'er and not myself. I would love to try every single one of them, though the ones that sound most promising to me from these reviews are #9 and #10 - though I'm determined to try them all

And a little goes a long way I should add.. I believe they would be worth every penny and more if they're as tenacious as No. 3.

Very good description of Cuir Ambre. It's a very bold leather/floral as you say.. and the amber doesn't really appear until the suave, smooth dry-down.

Which other neroli fragrances would you compare Narciso with?

Matthew,

I enjoyed this bit from The Perfume Posse. I read another very interesting review that claims it wasn't a tuberose fragrance as much as it was "green".

Prada Tubereuse: This is part of the boutique exclusives which I believe are all single notes ranging from Iris to the aforementioned. I find its beauty lies in the pungency. Here we have a tuberose that isnt trying too hard. Much like Ms. Pradas pret-a-porter (of which I also cannot get enough) it is beautiful in its simplicity. This is a tuberose that stands in her vase, metaphorical hands on hips, smug smilewhispers, what do you want from me?

Source:
http://perfumeposse.com/2007/07/18/t...er-obsessions/

Fascinating! I wonder if this is their key vetiver in the lineup? I've not tried VpE yet - soon I hope.

Just found a US source:

Prada
575 Broadway NYC
(212) 334-8888

They have "most" of the 10 (according to the SA) at $150, plus $20 shipping, ground, anywhere in the US. You can avoid the 8+% NY sales tax by shipping to another state, obviously.

I'll say again - $150 for 1 ounce might have a lot of people really thinking about how potent these are. Well.. I'm wearing No. 3 today.. 1 tiny spray from a 2 oz atomizer to the neck and it was almost too much!