Sniff Fest - House of Nicolaï
10 years ago
28, rue de Richelieu 75001 Paris
HOUSE OF NICOLAÏ
In 2008, Patricia de Nicolaï was awarded the rank of Chevalier (knight) in the Legion of Honor, the highest award for merit France bestows. That same year she became president of the famous perfume archive, the Osmothèque. Even as the great-granddaughter of Pierre Guerlain and niece of Jean-Paul Guerlain, she had been passed over for promotion because of gender discrimination so these were great victories. With husband Jean-Louis Michau, she launched her own perfume company in 1989. From their catalog: “Patricia wished to be free in her creative choices and free to use the best quality ingredients available. Jean-Louis was the production man. He wanted to establish a family company with a strong and substantial concept which was to emphasize the primary role of the perfumer.”
We are the beneficiaries.
Having discovered two wonderful scents from this house (Odalisque and Rose Intense) during two different sniff tests, I wrote and asked if they made samples available. Today, a few strips soaked in scent arrived. Sniffing through. OS=ordering sample.
Will order others as well and update when they arrive.
AMBER OUD
Lavender, Thyme, Mugwort, Cinnamon, Saffron, Oud, Cedar, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tonka bean, Storax, Musk, Castoreum, Amber, Labdanum
Oh, fabulous! A masterwork of notes that blend perfectly! May just skip the sample and go for an FB.
L’EAU MIXTE
Grapefruit, Mint, Spices, Black currant, Rose, Jasmine, Oakmoss, Musk
Lovely florals, oak moss and musk, distinguished by the interesting rest. OS
MUSC INTENSE
Galbanum, Pear, Rose, Violet, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Musk
Addicted on first beautiful sniff. OS, maybe an FB.
MUSC-MONOÏ
Neroli, Lemon, Paraguayan petitgrain, Ylang-ylang, Magnolia, Jasmine, Coconut, Calone, Ylang-ylang absolute, Mysore sandalwood, Musk
The petigrain is strong but as a musk, sandalwood and jasmine lover, I’ve got to try it. OS
NEW YORK
Lemon, Lemon petitgrain, Bergamot, Lavender, Mugwort, Pepper, Pimento, Patchouli, Cedar, Vanilla, Leather notes
Probably not my thing, but hubby may like it. It’s a clean, distinctive scent, long on lemon and lavendar.
PATCHOULI INTENSE
Lavender, Geranium, Orange, Ceylon cinnamon, Rose, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla
Interesting. I like Patchouli and this is definitely an intense one. OS
ROSE OUD
Animalic notes, Davana, Osmanthus, Oud, Patchouli, Rose absolute, Turkish rose
A distinctive oud though, for me, something too pungent in the top note, perhaps the Davana combined with Patchouli creates a too-sharp note.
ROSE-PIVIONE
Red fruits, Roman chamomile, Rose absolute, Rose essence, Geranium, Woods, Musk
This could be gorgeous and it is. It’s a realistic rose which reminds me of The Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose line. OS
SACREBLEU INTENSE
Bergamot, Mandarin, Blackberry, Raspberry, Carnation, Jasmine, Tuberose, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Benzoin, Tonka bean
This is probably going to be gorgeous, too. Love the strong carnation note, the citrus and berries, etc. OS
VANILLE-TONKA
Basil, Mandarin, Lemon, Orange blossom, Black pepper, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Vanilla absolute, Tonka bean
Not sure what to expect. Ah, the citrus and spice are strong. Very vanilla. Nice, but not for me.
Last edited by ScentFan on 27.06.2015, 20:12; edited 1 time in total