Madison Parfum pour Homme (2017)
by Roja Dove

Elegant, limited edition masculine scent of the citrus-woody-spice variety from Roja Dove - dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Madison Perfumery. This wonderful, rare scent can also be categorized as an aromatic fougere in the old-school style - with essential ingredients of geranium, coumarin (inherent in tonka bean), oakmoss, and wood (guaiac) and other aromatics (cardamom, patchouli, etc.) in place of traditional lavender.

Madison Parfum pour Homme is decidedly different than a lot of the smoky oud and other wood offerings from Roja Dove. It takes me back to fougeres of decades past, without feeling outdated by any means.

As with many other Roja Dove creations, MPpH is rife with fragrance notes. The opening is an intense citrus rush, cut somewhat by dry leafy bay leaf. The scent takes a really smooth, fresh turn with the gorgeous florals and cavalcade of spices, pungent elemi and benzoin resins, and a few tiny gourmand sprinkles from cocoa and vanilla.

Oakmoss is very evident here, lending its lichen-like earthiness which wafts throughout the scent from start to finish. Vetiver synergizes and doubtless intensifies the oakmoss accord, a hallmark of classic colognes past.

MPpH find close parallels to Roja Dove's A Midsummer's Dream, although I found Madison Parfum to be richer and deeper overall. A very warm experience, reflecting the beauty and passion of Madison Perfumery.