Intriguing top notes. The licorice seems to take the edge off of the bitterness and the citrus. I can't say it specifically adds any "sweetness" but, it adds an Ouzo vibe. Lavender plays with anise. It's a kind of syrupy-sweetness, almost boozy.
Vanilla mixes in, along with almond making this an almost gourmand scent and still, remains boozy. It almost smells like a cookie!
The "woods" blend in completely not smelling like any specific wood at all. An amber tone mixes in as well. Spiced, almond cookie smell sticks around. Overall, this is interesting, stands out from others from this house. Thumbs up.
As a fan of Lord George by Penhaligon's I've been on the lookout for other sweet, creamy barbershop fragrances. This is pretty nice, but it is also different than I was expecting. It's a little less shaving cream than Lord George and a lot more gourmand. It actually has quite a bit in common with Givenchy Pi, original Le Male, or even the drydown of Lost Cherry. Sadly, on me the projection is very weak. I attempted to overspray the rest of my sample and while that brings up the sillage, it also brings out some qualities that remind me of Le Male. Overall, its not quite what I was looking for, but its worth a try.
15th December, 2019 (last edited: 03rd February, 2020)
Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels comes to mind although I prefer 1725 as it seems more natural/quality smelling. Quite dusty and old world but the Licorice note in this is nice.
14th October, 2019 (last edited: 08th January, 2021)
Love it! This is most definitely a unisex scent. Girls if you enjoy lavender and vanilla then you must try this beauty. This lovely has gone some way to provide me with a substitute for Kilians Taste of Heaven Verte. I think this a teeny touch more gourmand but its not over sweet. This is a fougere just on the edge of gourmand.
I get the lavender, vanilla, licorice, anise and almond nuttiness. I do get a blast of citrus notes on the opening but they are fleeting. It does smell a touch masculine in the first half hour but then it dries down to my kind of perfection. Warm lavender, vanilla and anise. The amber is not obvious to me but I'm sure some warmth comes from there. I think I could wear this anywhere. It has a timeless quality.
I get good longevity and moderate sillage.
This is striking me as harsh, maybe from the licorice, star anise, and/or the almond. There are some competing notes in this that I like (lavender, sandalwood, vanilla, amber), but they're in the background behind the harshness.
I had been looking forward to trying this, but it's a letdown, more challenging than wearable.