Patchouli Impérial (2011)
by Christian Dior

So, every once-in-a-while, I go through phases whereby I wish to expand my go-to fragrances. Patchouli, rose, oud, incense, musk, jasmine, smoky, etc blends (unisex or leaning towards the feminine side) are what I crave. I read some stellar reviews about this fragrance, so I decided to purchase a sample.

As others have stated, this fragrance performs exactly as promised. For me, it is a fairly linear, straight-forward, clean, more "green versus dark" patchouli fragrance that lays against a gently composed sandalwood back-drop. Period.

No hippie-level noted here...not dirty, not earthy, not grungy, IMHO. I dislike "hippie" patchouli smelling stuff...you know the oily, resinous, dark, heavy, heady, boozy, dreary stuff...yuck. However, I do prefer patchouli fragrances that are a bit more complex, & moody than Patchouli Imperial. For me, Patchouli Imperial is a bit too fresh, chipper, clean & bright...not exactly what I look for in a patchouli fragrance.

And as others have also stated, while this fragrance is attractive and appealing, it also seems to go "dull," or "dead" after a while. On me after an hour or so, the fragrance just "dropped."

I say for the "general masses," Patchouli Imperial is extremely wearable. I prefer the above mentioned notes combined in a more complex way, a way that packs more of a punch. For me, I prefer patchouli blended fragrances that are a bit more "niche-y."

Patchouli Imperial is a great choice for someone who opts to wear a reserved, refined & tamed patchouli fragrance.

Nice enough...just not for me!

Patchouli Imperial is a smooth and lyrical patchouli scent made stronger and drier with coriander and sandalwood. The sandalwood is powdery, sweet and very light and airy as if a dusting of white musk and a rose or two hides beneath the minty sharpness of the smooth patchouli. The base lifts upward away from the earth and retains the soaring character for many hours. To me this is equally unisex while being a much bolder statement than Purple Oud, Dior’s newer but more ethereal patch perfume. I don’t prefer the sweet powdery aspects of this patchouli over other patchouli stables like Monsieur, Patchouli Absolu or SMN Patchouli. But still, a worthy addition for any collector of patchouli perfumes.

A credible ode to classic patchouli, accented by touches of citrus, spice, dreamy sandalwood and amber.

Fragrance triangle for this niche scent:
Top - bergamot, mandarin orange
Heart - cinnamon, coriander, rose
Base - patchouli, smoke, amber, benzoin, cedar, sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla

Patchouli Impérial is one of the few scents centered on this ubiquitous fragrance note that I immediately bought a decant following my spray-on-wrist encounter with it. PI is predominantly the herbal, smooth, mentholated character of patchouli, expertly touched by the aforementioned notes to create an ultimately very wearable, memorable scent that ladies may opt to check out.

Addictive, pleasurable patchouli outing that I rank up there with Tom Ford's Patchouli Absolu.

Dior Patchouli Imperial definitely flies under the radar in the Privee collection as patchouli certainly isn't a trending note in the designer or niche realm, though its use is so commonplace that it's often simply forgotten in mixes of base notes, rather than being featured in the heart or top.

Patchouli Imperial is a strong use of the eponymous note but a judicious use of it in concert with some citrus, coriander, and sandalwood. So it's somewhat smooth, and the herbal aspect of the patchouli isn't so prominent as the dirty side of it., so it's more pleasant than other excursions of patchouli-intense fragrance.

As expected, it's a good performer while not being so cloying as Cuir Cannage or Leather Oud.

Still, it's not quite smooth enough to be truly enjoyable for me, and remains barely a "like" if at all.

For patchouli lovers mostly, I'd say.

6 out of 10

My Patchouli collection is anchored by Givenchy Gentleman, VIP Giorgio and Giorgio for Men, Vintage all.

Contemporary collection has been Coromandel, Mazzolari Lui and LED IV.

Patchouli Imperial ( Small draw) now sits on the shelf with the young ones.

At first glance PI seems like a straight up linear, bull's Eye shot at the Patch. Almost rugged, Masculine and Mazzolari like, as it flirts with the "dirty". It is quickly drawn back to the Elegant by whispers of something Melon, Anise and Citrus.Coriander accentuates a dry camphourous-ness that may overwhelm some.
Styling is definitely along the lines of Leather Oud and Ambre Nuit. Luxuriously Masculine and Princely!

The Feminine Coromandel differs as it hums with a rich buttery Frangipane filling.Luxuriously unisex and Monarchly!

The Unisex LED IV is Haylike and Pastoral. Unisex and Romantic!

I am likely to need a full draw of the Patchouli Imperial. In my family, I am Consort to a Queen.