For the second day in a row:
Guerlain
L'Art et la Matière
Tonka Impériale
(2010)
Thierry Wasser
Oriental
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Top Notes: Rosemary
Middle Notes: Tonka Bean, Spices, Honey
Base Notes: Vanilla, Woody Notes, Tobacco, Amber
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Initially, there is a blast of something that smells a bit like rum or brandy, but this is ephemeral. Soon the scent begins to show off its title component, tonka bean. When this appears, it seems a bit muddied at first, but that, too, soon resolves, and a clear honey note emerges alongside the tonka. Then, in rapid succession, vanilla, tobacco, and amber. Strangely, the real signature of this waits for the end, which is a while in coming: with all the others setting the stage, a spicy-woody rosemary steals in, and makes this creation truly beautiful. There is a definite unity of style among the L'Art et la Matière series, and this one fits right in, somewhere between Angélique Noire and Bois d'Arménie.