Flannelman

I received a sample of Mandragore some time ago and after testing it a few times I can safely say that the more I wear it, the more I like it. The opening is of a very strong and bright bergamot, quickly joined by what are, to me, the two stars of this fragrance: ginger and star anise. The blending is really nicely done. There is a very good balance between these two notes, both in terms of strength and movement, sometimes mixing perfectly, sometimes resurfacing individually.

Mandragore is a light and, in a way, playful and unusual fragrance. Most people seem to report that it is quite fleeting but surprinsingly it manages to last fairly decently on me. Progressing toward the base, and after reading reviews, I was expecting it to become more green; perhaps also darker or mysterious (because that's the association I make with the word "mandragore") but this didn't happen. Of course as I never had the chance to smell mandrake before, it's hard to know what to expect. What I do get is a faint but pleasant tea note, and a simple woody accord which I imagine comes from the boxwood, with the ginger still discretely present.

All in all, Mandragore is not at all what I expected but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. It works for me and develops nicely on my skin. Nice to wear in Spring but I have the impression that it could be worn in most seasons. Clearly it's not going to be a match made in heaven for everybody but I think it's definitely worth trying. I'm certainly happy that I did...

Compared to Mandragore (which I enjoy) Mandragore Pourpre is richer and warmer, making it ideal for colder weather. The first minute is an intense blast of pepper and mint, with bergamot gradually increasing but less intense than in Mandragore. Next up is a very pleasant but fleeting rosemary note, soon joined then replaced by warm ginger and star anise – these two notes, as in the original Mandragore, are the most prominent on my skin. The anise is particularly lovely. We're then off to a patchouli/incense base with more caracter than Mandragore's (which is just lightly woody).

Really good and unusual, and a thumbs up from me. Very good longevity, moderate but noticeable sillage.