Mazzolari Patchouli or Patchouli Antique?

Mazzolari patchouli. I'd gladly bleed my donation for it.

I know I'm on record for saying this, but Mazzolari Patchouli is a fabulous scent. In fact, it's the scent that got me to like patchouli. Basically, I'd describe it like this: it's similar to Mazzolari Lui (I know you wrote a review on it), but without the animalic feel and an even more prominent patchouli. It's very rich and quite complex. The patchouli, though very prominent, is not as earthy or crude as some "head shop" patchoulis - the substantial amber content really rounds off its sharp edges nicely. Believe it or not, LuckyScent's description of this scent is spot on. Being a fan of powerhouse scents, you'll probably appreciate it's excellent longevity and sillage - it's similar to Lui's. It may require taking out a second mortgage to buy a bottle, but it's so good, it's worth putting the house at risk. I wish I had the dough to score a bottle.

Unfortunately, I can't comment on the other frag. Never tried it.

AE, I found Patchouli Antique to have a strange "yeasty" note which I think can get tiresome. I think the Mazzolari is the better of the two. However, before you buy, you may want to try Farmacia SS Patchouly Indonesiano (or whatever it is named). It is less expensive than the Mazzolari, and is definitely in the same league.

you may want to sample the following 2 scents along with the Mazzo and Les Nereides.. from luckyscent...especially since you are investing top $$$'s...

Patchouly Indonesiano - Parfum Concentration - w/ spray atomizer - by Farmacia SS. Annunziata dal 1561

Intrigant Patchouli Eau de Parfum - by Parfumerie Generale

Aromi - I have to admit that Mazzolari Patchouli is one of the very best I've ever smelled. Between it and Patchouli Antique I would recomend Mazzolari. I have been saving up for a bottle myself but have not taken the jump, but I have tested it extensively. Mazzolari patchouli is balanced slightly with a soft amber base, but it is not as sweet as Patchouli Antique. Also it has a slight animalic note that I think comes from honey which is listed as a note - a very unusual and subtle twist for a patchouli scent.
Patchouly Indonesiano from Farm. Annunziata is a much colder patchouli scent because it has no amber, vanilla, chocolate, roses or anything sweet to balance the patchouli with. But, I am pretty sure they do mix in vetiver and possibly a mitti attar blended with patchouli for that dry earth scent. It is not a linear patchouli but is much earthier and cooler in its presentation than almost any others Ive tried. I have a bottle of this one and it is my favorite. Another of the gentler patchouli's I've tried is L'Artisan Patchouli Patch which is softened with osmanthus for an herbal peach note along with a very cool anise basenote. As you can probably tell I am a patchouli fan.
If you are wanting a very good patchouli that is a great value I recomend Reminiscene (correcion) Patchouli - "shameless plug" - I have a bottle for sale in the marketplace! It is a favorite patchouli for many basenoters and is a bargain at the price.
A couple of other patchouli's that are pretty nice for the price are: Demeter Fragrance Library Naturals 2009 Patchouli (Sephora) and CB I Hate Perfume Patchouli Empire (water based) (Luckyscent). Both are nicely blended with very grassy elements. Demeter Naturals Patchouli has a nice orange opening before a grassy patchouli and Patchouli Empire is also very earthy patchouli but the base smells like old wood. Both are excellent. I am afraid I am offering too much not asked for information here.
Another thought that goes with your penchant for vintage fragrances is to score a vintage bottle of Gentleman Givenchy - nicely done patchouli.

I like the mazzolari, but I would always say sample.

Parfumerie Generale Intrigant Patchouli is my preferred patchouli scent. You should try it atleast once.

If your gonna sample a few try Caswell-Massey's Patchouli as well .

As Asha pointed out, there's a strange note in many of the Les Nereides scents that I find off-putting. Between the two, I would go for Mazzolari Patchouli.

I can't comment on Intrigant Patchouli but your opinion of this house will be a pretty good indication as to whether or not this is worth considering. As for Patchouly Indonesiano, I wouldn't recommend it - after an hour, there are only traces left on the skin (that's if you're lucky). It's quite strange that it's parfum concentration and yet is sold for a very low price per ml, no?

Not meaning to confuse things further but Profumum Roma's Patchouly is simply amazing - it's a real powerhouse. Please give it a try.

So...which one did you decide to get?

I'm sampling the Les Nereides Patchouli Antique tonight and it's got this aldehydic-dirt vibe that I think is what Asha & Trebor mentioned. I've smelled this effect/accord before in Dark Earth by Neil Morris and it made the scent slightly intolerable.

This is my list from another thread:

Amber patch:
Reminiscence Patchouli and Patchouli Elixir
Bois 1920 Real Patchouli (similar to Montale Patchouli Leaves)
Estee Lauder Youth Dew
Estee Lauder Youth Dew Amber Nude
Parfumerie Generale L'Ombre Fauve
Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe

Animalic patch:
Mazzolari Lui
Le Labo Patchouli 24
L'Artisan Patchouli Patch

Refined patch:
Serge Lutens Borneo 1834
Chanel Coromandel

Patch overload:
Mazzolari Patchouli
Profumum Patchouli
Farmacia SS Patchouli Indonesiano (this one is closest to the pure oil)

Mike I am not sure what that "yeast" note is--I haven't felt compelled to try the Patcouli Antique since, and did not feel good enough about it to include it on my list. Other omissions are either because I did not try the frag or didn't wear it enough to recommend it yet.

Wow, not what I was expecting since you seemed keen on the Mazzolari!

Good for you Aromi - sampling first is always the best tactic. It requires a bit more patience, I know...but, it's worth it. Dolce Patchouli, who does that one?

Asha - I had no idea your patchouli research skills were so comprehensive. Thanks!

Apologies in advance--the Profumi Firenze seems rather scarce, although TPC sells a good sized decant of it.

Great thread and thank you for the patchouli snapshot list, Asha. I recently bought Mazzolari Lui and really, really like it - will look into Le Labo and PP first chance I get.

To add to this wonderful list:

Refined:
Etat Libre Nombril Immense
CB I Hate Perfume Patchouli Empire
Mugler Ice*Men

Amber:
PG Intgriant Patchouli
Ava Luxe Sweet Patchouli

Santa Maria Novella's Patchouli is quite lovely. Sort of a Victorian patch, relatively unadorned, but a nice and warm patchouli. I'll second Patchouli by Réminiscence, a bargain compared to the others and decent longevity, something I find hard to get in a natural patchouli. What about vintage Givenchy Gentleman? Patchouli upfront and ready for action.
Enjoy your trip through the patch patch.

If there's an Italian bone in your body, then for the love of God, get the Mazzolari!

Well, Profumum, Farmacia SS and Profumi Firenze are also Italian

Patchouli Patch I put in the Animalic category because it is a Patch-Musk. Compared to the other two animalic fragrances, it is much tamer and toned down. Still worth it to try though!

HA! And add some Catholic guilt for good measure!

Ha x 100! Thanks for that extra laugh!
Grazie mille!

Aromi, what is the comparison between Mazzolari Lui & Patchouli for you? It seems like the Lui is a patch heavy scent only more complex. I'm just sayin'.... (I love Mazzolari) and have you tried the Vetiver? divine!

I wouldn't buy it blind though too $$$!

I have ML on one hand and MP on the other. MPatchouly is certainly different than MLui when sniffing side-by-side. I don't get the kitchen sink spice bouquet, vetiver and benzoin, that is Lui, I get a pure, cool patchouli that is attenuated by honey and benzoin and not a lot else. I'll also add that it's my favorite patch of all time.
Kumquat, I think you're the one who turned me on to Mazzolari Vetiver, right? Thank you so much, I bought a bottle and I'm loving it. The house of Mazzolari has made a real man out of me!

That's great. I'm glad you discovered it, too. I am quite smitten with it, myself.