Where Have I Gone Wrong Lately and a Winner or two!!

It is good from time to time to take stock of perfumes that I have trashed with glee in the past that I now love or at least like a lot — excellent tonic for humility, that.

Chief among them this month is Annick Goutal Eau du Fier, with notes of bitter orange, osmanthus, salt flower, clove, tea, and birch, and extra heavy on the birch, and throw in some creosote and a Kansas Highway after it’s been freshly tarred.  Smoke, fire and hot tar, how did I ever hate this? In a review many moons ago, I think I referred to it somewhat  a lot pejoratively. I still think it smells like a hot Kansas freshly tarred highway in August, but for me now, that smells pretty great.  Sad thing is the distribution on this now amounts to just the Paris Goutal boutique, and I’m not sure how many vats they have sitting in the back or under the counter, but if you’re there, grab one, it sounds like they won’t make anymore, and that’s a darn shame.  I intend to stock up when I go in October and to use my newly minted French (Pimsleur French 101, and I suck) to explain to them why they need to start making it again and shipping it to the U.S.  It, Duel, Mandragore and Sables are the most interesting of the Goutals, and I far prefer them to the florals they do. This part of the line gives it a great balance and takes it out of just another niche pretty floral perfumer into something much, much more.  Perhaps we should all bombard them to make sure they keep the tar and pancake syrup around?  Yes, I sure think so too!

Parfums de Nicolai.  Most underrated deserving line in existence.  Listen, I’ve ignored them too, but after March enjoyed them so much when she was in England and sent me a bottle of the divine Eclipse, I’ve been exploring them slowly and having a blast.  Ina at Aromascope admires this line as well.  If you’re looking for perfumes that do not follow normal lines, but have lots of quirks and eddies while remaining beautiful and captivating, spend more time with PdN.  Maharadjah, notes of lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, cinnamon, clove.  Blast of lavender on the open, which quickly dissappears, and then it’s like how red hots make you feel after you pop a bunch in your mouth — getting warmer and then hot and almost unbearable, but it’s the kind of spicy torture you enjoy until it settles down into a warm, enchanting scent.  Yeah, yeah, like that.  Love this one. Someone please slap me hard when I’m ignoring a line that is this great.

 More to come on Nicolai reviews next week, as well as some more biehl reviews.  Also, I had a drawing, um… well, quite a while back that I forgot to announce a winner for. It was for a drop of a sample of the Guerlain Pois de Senteur vintage parfum and four samples of the winner’s choice of the Memoire Liquides.  And the winner is…. Anne!  And because I’m so darn slow with this one, I’ll do a second winner, and that is…. Rosarita! Just hit the Contact Us button over there on the left, let me know which Memoire Liquides you want. You’ll have to check TPC for what’s available, and I don’t have all of them listed, some of them belong to my tpc buddies, so give me more than four choices so I can make sure I can get them to you!

Now, I have an interesting proposition that nobody seems to want to commit to doing yet, so I will.  Guerlain is releasing Quand Vient La Pluie this month, and they have a 17-ounce vat of pure parfum for about $2450.  The perfumer is Thierry Wasser and Sylvaine Delacourt.  Notes of heliotrope, violet, rosemary, sambac jasmine and a skosh of praline (huh?  oh, well, I do love Iris Ganache, so I’m trusting them that they made this work). I have no idea what the juice smells like, but since it’s a limited edition, I think it’s probably well worth having some.  I can’t ever, ever consume, sell or otherwise dispose of 17 ounces of pure parfum, but this bottle screams for a split.  There was one in the works at MUA, but they never quite seemed to come together.  I’m willing to get this bottle and bust it up into 1/2 ounce and 1 ounce splits.  But you’ll have to do it sniff unseen because there aren’t any samples yet, obviously.  It should run about $90 shipped for 1/2 ounce (includes bottle, mailing & paypal fees) and $170 for 1 ounce (includes bottle, mailing and paypal fees). Again, this is the pure parfum.  Those are estimates on the prices, but it should be pretty close.  If you’re interested, drop a comment or click on the Contact Us Button on the left. Let’s make this happen!

Last thing… I’m awash in samples again, so let’s do a drawing so I can get rid of them. This will be a big grab-bag of tons of samples of things I already have, etc.  Profumums, Parfums de Nicolai, Andy Tauer scents, Montales, CBs,  and more.  Just drop a note in the comments, and I’ll select a winner!

  • evilpeony says:

    count me in, please!!! * tries to sneak in unnoticed.*

  • sunlit says:

    hi,

    I would love to be in on the drawing,if it’s not too late. I was out of town.

    love reading your words!!

    thanks,
    rebecca

  • cjj88 says:

    I love PdN too Patty:)

    Would love to be in the grab bag drawing if it’s not too late that is..i’m dreadfully behind in reading:/

    thanks,
    candice

  • minette says:

    i need to check out the nicolais – it’s one of those lines that hover at the edge of my awareness – in and out, in and out.

    please enter in me in your grab-bag drawing if it’s not too late. thanks!

  • cherriesinthesnow says:

    Hi Patty — please enter me in the drawing for samples. Was intrigued by your review of PdN’s Maharadjah – lavender, patchouli, cinnamon and clove – Oh MY!!!!!! I need to get this one under my nose and SOON!
    I also need to hit the “Send” button on my Perfumed Court order, but I keep adding stuff to it and I’m gonna have to do some thinning out,I am afraid . . . . .there’s just so much that I want!!:((

  • Mike P says:

    Love me some non floral Goutal’s also – glad to hear about another scent that prominently features tar notes too.

    Count me in the for the drawing – thanks Perfume Posse!

  • Kyra says:

    I’ve dropped you a yes on the Guerlain split. And please put my name in the draw; it’s gotta work sometime!
    My favorite AGs are the odder ones too and often better on DH.

    Like Mararadjah and love Maharanih.Sacrebleu does something bloody awful on me.

  • Joyce says:

    Love reading your creative blogging! You do it with style.
    Would love to be in your drawing, so please add me to your list.
    Thanks.
    PS If anyone would like to swap any of their samples, Ive got an extra sample collection of Neil Morris.

  • 2scents says:

    Have not explore AG line much, but Eau de Fier sounds edgier than their image would suggest! Count me in for the drawing–thanks.

  • Allie says:

    First post, but long time lurker/reader! Great blog, always brightens up my day. Please enter me in the drawing!

  • dleep says:

    I love your blog and I love grab bags! Please enter me.

    Donna

  • ering says:

    Please enter me in the drawing, Patty, if not too late–a grab bag sounds delish! I must try the PdN line; they get so much love whenever mentioned. Thanks!

  • Chelsey says:

    Sadly, I have yet to find an Annick Goutal fragrance that works for me. I keep hearing how wonderful they are and when I go to try them I am left underwhelmed. I do need to explore some more of the PdN line.

    If it’s not too late, I’d love to get in on that drawing! =)

  • Rachel says:

    hmm, PdN sounds very interesting. If not’s too late, I’ll get in on that drawing!

  • Lara says:

    Mmmm…that Maharadjah sounds delicious (adding to list). Also, please enter me in the drawing! Thanks!

  • Devon says:

    Hi! Please enter me for the samples! I have learned so much from reading your articles.

    Thank you, Devon

  • noyna says:

    I’m always late to these goshdarn drawings, but here I am! Please enter me if the drawing is still open! Thank you…

  • Qwendy says:

    PDN must be in the wind, I woke up sometime last week craving florals and Number One in particular — just got a sample from Luckyscent today! I too want to re-explore all of her scents. It was buying 3 scents and a candle in Paris 20 minutes before taking a taxi to the airport to go home that introduced me to MUA and perfume blogs several years ago! And I totally agree about AG — after her exciting debut sometime in the 80’s, with Eau de Ciel and Eau de Charlotte which seemed so interesting and fresh and exciting in the midst of normal Neiman’s choices, they have seemed rather pale in the aftermath of our beloved niche-o-mania. But (thanks Dinazad) Eau de Fier is really exciting, and PDN does florals so much better! Be sure to e me for my Paris lists before you go, and enter me in your sample drawing for more PDN’s — happy end of summer!!!

  • sweetlife says:

    A chance for The Patty Sample Bag is not to be taken lightly — put me in the draw please!

  • benvenuta says:

    I too prefer non – floral Goutals. Mandragore is very original. I wouldn`t wear it, but I appreciate its complexity and originality.

    I can`t wait for reviews of Quand Vient la Pluie! It`s idea was already executed perfectly in the amazing Apres L`ondee, I am so curious what did they create. It must have been a difficult job – working a praline note into rain scent.

    Please do include me in the draw. 🙂

    • Patty says:

      Yeah, I’m really anxious to sniff the Pluie too. If done well, it should be an excellent addition. Done not so well…. I don’t want to think about it!

  • Linda says:

    Oh gosh, me too, very exciting!

    I love the idea of a grab bag with Montales and Andy Tauer samples… dying to try these.

  • Lavanya says:

    I’ve tried a few of the PDNs- maybe two actually- Sacrebleu: I
    haven’t made up my mind about but Maharadjah sounds like
    something I would adore- must try that one..

    and please do include me in the draw!

  • grizzlesnort says:

    Sign me up for your drawing. A grab bag. Wow.

  • Steve H says:

    Please enter me in the drawing as well.

    Thanks for a great site!

  • rosarita says:

    Oooh, thank you so much, I am veeerrry excited to be a winner!!
    🙂 And, I lurve the PdN line, I’m trying to sample them all. The ones I’ve tried that work on me – some really don’t – morph all over the place as the day progresses, and I like that a lot.

  • CindyN says:

    Patty,
    I’m glad that PdN line is getting some ink. I’ve loved all of hers that I have tried: Sacrebleu, Jour de Fete, Vanille Tonka–but I seem to be the lone supporter of my favorite: Number One.
    Soft florals over the PdN base (kinda like the Guerlinade base?)
    Anyway, since you love white florals, I’m anxious to see your take on it if it is in your future lineup.
    CindyN
    OOps, please add me to the drawing!

    • Patty says:

      Oh, no, I’m with you on the Number one. Soft florals on spice? Trying to remember. I had too many things on, but it shocked me with how beautiful and different it was. I’ll get around to reviewing it next week.

  • annie says:

    😮 OMG ……a whole dern BAG of stuff to snort….count me in…..In my dreams,I would order from Luckyscent daily;and my brain won’t even go to Paris (slobber,drool)….thanks!

  • rachael says:

    I don’t even need to try a perfume again to be humbled. Whenever I “hate” a perfume, it tends resurface in my mind a month later, until it’s all I crave and want. Please enter me in the drawing, thanks!

  • Baltic girl (Patricia Seybold) says:

    :)Enter me in the drawing too! I’ll be in Paris for a few days in the middle of October on my way home from Italy. A wonderful time of year there!! I’m planning on a spare suit case, bubble wrap and electrical tape!! LOL! I’m going to have to feed my husband “patience” pills!

    • Patty says:

      Hey, we’ll be there around the same time. Wouldn’t it be funny if we ran into each other at Guerlain or Serge? I would laugh myself silly. 🙂

  • Twibbet says:

    Fier sounds really interesting – sometimes I love that tar thing, sometimes I don’t. DH just tried Lonestar Memories for the first time and instead of Texas plains and smoke, it smelled exactly like a ferry dock: gasoline, creosote and maybe salt. But then, we live in the northwest.

    Would love to see that grab-bag! Please put me in the drawing!

    • Patty says:

      You are in the drawing! Tar/smoke/dark tead used to be trickier for me, but it’s not pretty much turning to universal love, for which I’m grateful!!!

  • violetnoir says:

    Yeah, baby! Just emailed you on the Guerlain split. Hey, I love that praline bit in the Iris Ganache, so this one sounds great to me, too.

    PdN…Did you try the Maharinih? Did I send some of that to you, I don’t remember? Hooh-boy…I’m getting senile! 8-| Anyway, we walked by her boutique in the 6th, but it was closed. 🙁 I spied a new fragrance called Secrete Jardin or something like that. Any info you can get on that one when you visit in October is much appreciated. Merci beaucoup, madame!

    I still like my AGs on the feminine side, P. But, maple syrup…yuck! Tar…well, maybe…I like those notes in Eau de Fier. Osmanthus! Clove! Tea! Bitter orange! Salt flower (I love a good salty touch in fragrance). Oh my, they all sound right up my alley. But birch? Hmmm…now you’ve got me thinking…

    Hugs and love!

    • Patty says:

      Love the Maharanih, too, but the Maharadjah fits me better.

      So is the Secrete Jardin at the PdN? Or somewhere else? Details. woman! 🙂

  • Mary Beth says:

    Pls throw my name in the hat for the drawing (she said somewhat shamefacedly ).

    Vanilla Tonka totally turned me off PdN. I suppose I should get some samples & re-visit to give them a fair chance.

    Alas, I’ve yet to find a Goutal that I like that is long-lasting. It seems to be either one or the other for me and it’s always the fruity ones that last. …sigh…Any one have any suggestions?

    • Patty says:

      I think Vanille-tonka and Sacrebleu would be the most divisive of the PdNs, and maybe Cocobanana. They have the sweeter notes. Most of the others are quite different and probably more universally approachable, though I know with at least the VT and Sacrebleu, those who love it are huge admirers because it really can work brilliantly.

  • Camille says:

    My first post here!

    I’m with you on your view of the AGs: The florals don’t do much for me, but I looooove Sables and thought Duel was fab, too, when I sniffed it in the boutique during Sniffa Paris. Fier doesn’t sound like my cup of tea, though. I’ll save it for you tar lovers. 😉

    I keep eyeing samps of PdN Maharadjah and Maharahnih–may have to bite the bullet and finally try them now that I’ve read the comments here.

    I’m tempted by the Guerlain split–only Iris Ganache hasn’t worked for me from them. Count me in for a 1/2 oz; “life is short, buy the perfume,” right? :d

    I’d love to be in on the sample draw, too.

    Thanks for great reading!

    • Patty says:

      Hey, welcome, glad you finally commented!

      I am so hoping on the Pluie that it will be some kind of cool cross between apres l’ondee and iris ganache, both of which I adore!

  • Robin says:

    Fier is great stuff, and it is a shame it didn’t sell in the US. Do make sure they don’t discontinue it entirely!

  • dinazad says:

    Yay! you’ve seen the light! I love and adore and crave Eau de Fier, it’s just so wonderful. To my knowledge it was discontinued last year, but brought back as a limited edition this spring (I bought a bottle, of course). There is hope yet. I agree: Sables, Fier, Duel are wonderful. And Eau de Lavande, have you tried that yet? That’s one superb lavender – the warm and sexy side of lavender!
    PdN – that woman is one helluva talent, a worthier successor of her grandpa Guerlain than the entire house of Guerlain tends to be these days IMHO (what on earth possesses them? LEs only available in the Paris duty free? – incidentally, the almondy but not too sweet Lights of Champs-Elysées is quite nice – Hellishly exclusive and indecently expensive re-editions? Grrrrr….). I love Vanille Tonka and Maharadjah and the exquisitly elegant New York! Haven’t managed to get my hands on Balkis or Odalisque yet, but that is a matter of time only….

    Oh, and please do include me in the draw!

    • Patty says:

      I know, I know, I’m a little slow. Haven’t tried the lavande, and didn’t they have a muguet too?

      Agree on Patricia. Guerlain should hire her back and let her run things for a while, I suspect she would start a new Guerlain era that didn’t rely on pulling classics from the old catalogue to be fresh and new, though I do love that they pull the old stuff back out.

  • Teri says:

    The PdNs are a relatively new discovery for me, but I am enjoying them very much. I think what appeals to me the most about them is that they possess dual personalities. On the surface, they are pleasantly likeable fragrances, but once you wear them for a while and come to know them, a quirkiness begins to surface that give them an entire additional layer of character. Being an outwardly ordinary, yet quirky individual myself :d, I’m coming to love several of these fragrances.

    And by all means, pretty please enter me in your drawing. I love the rush I get from holding a handful of unsniffed samples, anticipating the hours of pleasure (and occasional horror lol) to come.

    • Patty says:

      That is the perfect description of the PdNs, and I think why they are overlooked. You have to slow down and take some time with them and not just do initial impressions, which may be that, oh, it’s X, and then you move on.

  • Divalano says:

    Patty, please enter me in the draw!!!

    Eau de Fier … was that never sold Stateside? I could swear I sniffed it at Aedes ages ago. I sniffed something tarry there, think Goutal; tar got up my nose & I moved on. I *think* I want to like tar but then I try & it’s too much for me, as in Le Labo’s Patchouli. Yeesh, the tar in that nearly choked me. I’m a total tar wuss. My idea of ok am’t of tar is the teeny leetle bit I get from Bois d’Argent.

    • Patty says:

      Pretty sure it was sold for a while here, cuz I know Tom at Bergdorf’s said they used to have it, I believe, it’s one of his favorites, but then they said it was discontinued, and then they said just the Paris boutique would have their leftover stock. I’m glad they didn’t just dump it!

      Tar/strong tea is tough to make work, but if it does, it’s magic!

  • mharvey816 says:

    Hi Patty!

    Please enter me in your draw – I would love some new things to sniff, esp since I pretty much broke the bank in Paris and am now on a strictly controlled fragrance budget (which means no Guerlain split either, alas).

    Art with Flowers did carry the PdN line once upon a time, according to Bill, but I must have missed it when it was there. Oh well.

    • Patty says:

      Absolutely! What did you get? I’m not spending anything, after I get this pluie and something else, between now and mid-October so I can just fill up a couple of extra suitcases with things. 🙂

  • judith says:

    Hi Patty!
    Just received GREAT news so I’ll join the Guerlain split for the 1/2 oz. LOVE your blog!

    • Patty says:

      Judith, make sure to e-mail me by clicking on the contact us! I can’t find your e-mail, so I can’t contact you! But I’ll dig some more.

  • Shauna says:

    Hi Patty,

    Please enter me in the draw. I have really been wanting to test the perfumes I hear so many raves about. Thank You !!

  • Tarun says:

    Hi Patty,

    Could you please add my name to the grab bag draw. I’m a recent convert to this blog, and I have to say I check it religiously everyday now.

    I’m going to ask the owners of Art with Flowers (a store in Tysons Corner, Virginia that carries boutique fragrances) to start carrying the Nicolai line. The Maharadjah sounds really interesting.

    On a completely random note, do you have any suggestions for masculine fragrances w/ notes of chocolate (the bitter kind, nothing sweet).

    • Patty says:

      Oh, yeahhhh! and welcome!

      You’re in March’s territory, I think she’s a regular at Art with Flowers.

      Chocolate men’s. Have you tried Serge’s Borneo 1834? Heavy patch, but it has just a smidge of chocolate, not sweet, in there. It doesn’t work for everyone, but I adore the little monster.

  • MarkDavid says:

    Count me in on the drawing, please!

    The Guerlain sounds tempting, but have to decline.

    I need to really get to sniffing the PdN line, too. I only have tried New York, which I really enjoy a lot. There are so many that look like they are just fabulous.

    Thanks, Patty!

    -MD

    • Patty says:

      The New York is really interesting. Have you tried the Carre d’as? It’s a little similar, but with a really interesting play of notes. Masculine, classic, but with some interesting kinks in it.

  • J. Stavrou says:

    Enter me! And that is a lot of parfum,
    any parfum!

  • Billy says:

    Please enter me in the drawing!!!! Thank you!!!

  • delizt says:

    OH please enter me in the drawing:-)))) Thanks!!!! You have me really wanting to test the Parfums de Nicolai!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

  • Aimee inAustin says:

    Hi there! Now I reeaaaally want to try Eau de Fier. I was already on board with the osmanthus, but now that you say *highway*, it has become essential. Heh.

    Oh, and please put me in for the drawing!

    Thanks, have a fabulous weekend.

  • Christine says:

    Redhots, you say? Well then, count me in on the drawing. And man, 17oz is one hell of a vat. I can’t risk $90 on something I hate right now…but man, I am curious!

    • Patty says:

      I know. Just contemplating the size of that bottle gives me the quivers. I did wind up with a big urn of Bond Chinatown a while back, and it was 32 ounces, I think? That was scary enough!

  • sybil says:

    Hi, Patty…I have to pay a visit to you all at the PC, and check out some PdeNs…I’ve heard nothing but love, but still haven’t tried any. And, please put me in the drawing. I need fresh blood!

  • parisa says:

    Good morning!

    I would love to be entered in the draw and I thought of a small idea…how about sample sets from specific companies, that is, if you have the time and energy to sort out scents from one line at a time. Not having access to much of the niche market, it would be a great way to start a fragrant journey with a niche line.:)

    Have a great day!

    • Patty says:

      Great idea, Parisa! I do the pick your sample packs, but in some cases it might be better to pull some of the best examples of the line.

  • Carol says:

    I’d love some new samples – please put me in the drawing! thanks!

  • Jamie says:

    Discovered PdN just this week – and I’m the proud new owner of New York and Balkis. Two totally different fragrances – but enjoy them both.

    Please enter me in the drawing! 🙂

  • Sharon says:

    Hi Patty,

    Please put me in the drawing. Like everyone I love samples!

  • elve says:

    Please, enter me in the drawing 🙂

    I don’t quite understand why they discontinue fragrances like Eau du Fier. It’s so adorable…

    • Patty says:

      My guess is it didn’t sell well enough, unfortunately, because it is nothing that is traditionally pretty. Such a shame.

  • court says:

    Please enter me in the drawing as well. Thanks! And has anyone sniffed Quand Vient La Pluie yet? Those notes seem like they could go in a few different directions.

  • Melissa says:

    Unfortunately, I’ve had such a difficult a time with many Guerlains to purchase that split unsniffed. . .too bad! However, I would love to be included in your grab-bag drawing!

    Your description of AG Fier made me shudder–I believe that my tar/gasoline amplifying skin is finally convincing me to avoid any perfume that reviewers say gasoline or tar. Even a soupcon of “petroleum product” becomes a noxious Haliburton processing plant on my skin!

    • Patty says:

      Oh, dear. If you amplify tar, Fier is right out for you. It’s really more like strong, strong tea, but for me that winds up in my head classified as creosote, pitch, tar, just smokey stuff.

  • Silvia says:

    Crying shame: living in London and never visited the PdN shop ! But going there soon on a sniffathon with Donanicola thanks to lovely Lee.

    On the subject of being wrong: yesterday for our anniversay DH bought me Bois Farine, which I had dismissed before as too foody and nutty. I thanked him profusely (I was truly touched he ventured out and chose a scent with no guidance) while making a mental list of all the other fragrances I could have had instead for the same money. Mean woman. How wrong was I??? I actually LOVE it now. 😕

    Quand Vient La Pluie is tempting, if it wasn’t for the praline bit..

    Please include me in the sample bonanza draw.

    Great w-e to everyone !

    • Patty says:

      Waving tempting pluie in front of Silvia to tempt her more.

      I missed out on Bois Farine before too, and now I love it. When I go through how many perfumes I love, it’s quite an exhausting list. I really should be a little more honorable and not love so many so freely. 🙂

  • Veronika says:

    Patty, please add me to the draw! Thank you! 😡

  • Gaia says:

    I’m in for a scent adventure, so I’ll join the split (1/2 oz). And since unlike Tom, I have no problem being a pig, and those samples seem to include many things I haven’t tried yet, I also want to be in the draw.

    • Patty says:

      I buy so much at Luckyscent weekly, and every package is stuffed with samples, most of which I have, so I’m happy to give them away!

  • Judith says:

    I really do love both the fierce Fier (Lapsang Souchang to the max!) and the calm Maharadjah (one of my more “centering” fumes. I’m glad to hear some positive things about Maharahnih–I should try that. I’m afraid that the notes on the new Guerlain make it a no-go for me (I found Iris Ganache too sweet, and this sounds sweeter), but I’d love to be in the draw for the bag o’ samples. 🙂

    • Patty says:

      yeah, I’m thinking this new one may not work for you in the least, but if it leans more to the Apres L’ondee side of things, it could be perfect. I have heard from a friend of a friend that it is very pretty. So at least it’s not a dog, good to know!

  • loverdoll says:

    Still enjoying all this great info . . . . lovePdN Sacrebleu! . . . Want to try Vie de Chateau and Vanilla Tonka among many others. Please include me in the draw?

  • Louise says:

    Off to spray PdN Vie de Chateau-glorious! Lasts well, perfect for warm late-summer day (thanks for the tip, Maria :))

    • Louise says:

      Damn-I sprayed a medium squirt of Vie de Chateau this a.m. and my office mate has informed me that my fragrance is way to strong and making her ill. I feel lousy about that…

      • Maria says:

        Oh, Louise, sorry to hear that! I finally bought the small bottle and spritzed some on just last week. The day was a bit hot and I was stressed out, and I found it a bit too much for me that day. There was a sort of cumin/b.o. phase I hadn’t experienced when I had splashed it from a little tube. Maybe I need to decant it into tubes so I can go back to splashing. 😕 Spraying can be dangerous on my skin.

      • Lee says:

        Is she the mean type Louise?? You could only smell beeyootiful.@};-

    • Patty says:

      I have that one in a sample somewhere on my desk… there the little things is. Ew, pretty! How could anyone be offended by that?

      • Louise says:

        Not really mean,no. But a soap-and-water, crew-cut, no-makeup, no frills type. She was somewhat apologetic, but now I feel like dabbing my oud oil all over her desk, if the oil wasn’t so expensive. Me mean? Most of my colleagues are wholey unappreciative of my ((divine)) collection of fragrances, and not shy about telling me 🙁

  • Rita says:

    Hi, Patty! Your description of Eau du Fier has me very interested…and please enter me in the drawing!

  • Florence says:

    Hi! I’d love in on the drawing.

  • hausvonstone says:

    please enter me in the drawing! Hmmm – last year I asked about Eau de Fier in a Goutal boutique in Paris and they told me they didn’t have it…but it wasn’t the big new(?) one, so maybe they weren’t fully stocked – or, maybe they decided I didn’t deserve it! Ha!

    • Patty says:

      I think there was a time they didn’t have it, and they put it back under the counter in the last six months maybe? But you have to ask for it, it’s not on display at all. Same with I think it’s the AG Muguet?

      • Judith says:

        Well, I finally got the Fier (as you know), by asking, but they told me they had no Muguet (they asked each other about that, too) 🙂

  • Amarie says:

    Oh Patty,
    I have been letting both Annick Goutal and Parfums de Nicolai sit on the back list while I have been concentrating on other perfume houses and specific scents. I have to confess I have tried none of them though I was tempted to try Mandragore, Duel and Sables but Lo! let them pass by. Now you have reawakened the interest so I might just go and follow them up after all.Thank-you 🙂 and Eau de Fier! I wont even go there if it is only available in Paris.:(
    Please enter me in the draw, I love the chance of sampling more.

  • Helen T says:

    Hello Patty

    Please enter me in the draw, be amazing to try some of these that I’ve read you all rave, and weep, over!

    Many thanks

    Helen

  • Cheezwiz says:

    Hiya Patti!

    Funny you should be writing about two French parfumers,since today since I just returned from a very short trip to Paris
    today!

    I managed to squeeze in a little perfume sniffage, but
    did not have time to visit the Goutal boutique. I did
    purely by chance stumble upon an adorable Patricia di
    Nicolai boutique not far from the Louvre. Of the ones I
    sampled, I think Odalisque was my favorite – a soft mix
    of florals. Fortunately I can obtain these at home.

    My main goal was to snag a bottle of Guerlain’s Apres
    l’Ondee (success!) and some little Fragonards. By the
    way, there is a very cute little Fragonard museum
    located just in back of the Opera on rue Scribe. They
    had all kinds of old bottles & perfume labels on display
    as well as info on perfume distillation.

    By the way you are a very smart girl for planning Paris
    in the off season – it was absolute madness during my
    visit.

    • Patty says:

      I’m so glad you had a great time! Lisa has given us a great list of the places we need to go and see and instructions, so we should be completely ready. I’ve stepped up my time and speed on the treadmill so my legs can handle it too!

  • Gail S says:

    Hey, I like Maharanih too! I’ve really gotten into swapping on MUA lately and I include samples of some of my PdN’s in every perfume swap, trying to get the word out about this line!

    Would love to be entered into the draw. And I would be interested in the split too. Suzan Becker tried to get me some in July but I had to pass on it all by myself 🙂

    • Patty says:

      Maharanhi (sp) is so unique! I was overloaded before, so I’m taking my time going back through them. Love that one, it really smells like nothing else I know!

  • Lee says:

    ITA on both PdN and Goutal – you list my favourites of hers but I now have to perform a double blind tenacity trial before stumping up for a full bottle of any of em.

    Unfortunately, I’m going OFF more scents than being turned onto ones… weird, huh? I won’t list em.

    Sung in the voice of Van the Man: ‘Have I told you lately that I love you?’:x

    • Patty says:

      Mwah! Love you back more. Given that you like the cinnamon, I think the Maharadjah would work well for you. Just a hunch.

    • Patty says:

      Um, did you warn me about Perfect Night? Smut in a bottle. Has March tried this?

      That package of PN and Courtesan should have been marked XXXXX, For Adults ONLY. Damn.

      • Lee says:

        I don’t remember it being all that smutty – maybe a dirty incense. But I was in Louise’s company and smut was already VERY much on my mind…;)

        Is it almost unbearably naughty? Nice…. I need a resniff.

  • Flora says:

    I would love to be entered in the drawing! I don’t think I have tried any PdN fragrances yet, they sound divine.

    I like pretty much all the Annick Goutals I have tried so far, and I have even come around to Songes, but your description of Eau de Fier is amazing. Now that’s really different! 😮

    • Patty says:

      Fier is different! That’s why it’s so sad it’s being dumped. Odd little child, it needs to stay alive. :((

      PdN really is great. They all aren’t these ground-breaking, big things, but they have such subtle interplays between the notes, and I think that’s why I overlooked them, I didn’t spend tim e with them at all.

  • Alica says:

    Dear Patty, please enter me in the drawing for those treasures 🙂
    Thanks

  • juliaforsberg says:

    Funny you should mention Goutal and PdN. These are two houses I have ignored more or less totally. Tried Mandragore, interesting but terribly short lived on my skin. PdN Sacrebleu seems to get much love from many but not from me, too sweet and… dull.

    Oooo Quand Vient La Pluie! Why o why must I be on a strict no-buy for two months? Life can be cruel sometimes:-w Well, I’m saving my $$$ for our trip to NYC and a bottle of Silver Factory:)

    Would love to be included in the drawing. Have a nice weekend!

    • Patty says:

      NYC?!?! Oh, you will have so much fun!!! The Warhol Bond is worth saving for.. though I’m not entirely sure it’s a full bottle thing. Maybe the small bottle, or if you can get them to sell you an ounce, I think that’s about the right amount. I think it’s great, but not something I’d be splashing on regularly, just when I’m having my more interesting days. 🙂

      • MarkDavid says:

        Unfortunately, the Warhol only comes in the big size for $240 and I think it has to do with the logo and design of the bottle – it can’t be shrunk otherwise its not Warhol enough, I guess. It is a gorgeous, smoldering incense though – smolders forever on me, but doesn’t exactly project a lot.

        -MD

      • juliaforsberg says:

        I’m such a fool, Silver Factory har its release date in December. I was sure it was earlier. We’re going in November so that’s about it then:((

        Well’ I’m not going to let it get me down, there’s so much else to sniff (and buy) in NYC:)

  • Veronica says:

    Yay, two thumbs up for PdN! Please, enter me as well.
    Unrelated question: when will a bottle jar of MKK be back in stock on the Perfumed Court ?

    • Patty says:

      Hey, Veronica. Those Serge bottles are ones Lisa gets when she goes to Paris. I’m not sure how many she has left and when she is scheduled to go again. They limit you to getting ten bottles when you shop, so it is difficult to get enough to bring back to resell. I think she had been collecting those since she goes twice a year and had been off eBay for about a year or more, I believe.

  • Gina says:

    Another great review…must experience more of PdN. I would love to be included in the drawing. My perfume budget is non-existent, sad sad sad. I miss new stuff!

  • Kim says:

    Please enter me in the draw. And thanks for the re-visits of perfumes – it has encouraged me to keep trying as I learn more from this site. Kim

    • Patty says:

      Absolutely, Kim! I love rediscovering or discovering for the first time lines that have been around for a while that have been unappreciated!

  • Priti says:

    Ai ai ai! 4 digits for a bottle 😮 Count me in for the draw, I need some new sniffage 🙂

    • Patty says:

      Isn’t that insane? But it is pure parfum, so I’m more lenient on that, because less than $200 an ounce for pure parfum from Guerlain on a new release is pretty great!

  • KarenG says:

    The only PdN I’ve tried so far is Sacre Bleu, and I only remember thinking it was very powdery. I should smell it again.
    Please throw my name in the hat for the draw. Thanks, Patty!

    • Patty says:

      I can see how Sacrebleu could go horribly wrong! On the surface, it’s not something I think I would like, but it really was pretty gorgeous on me. I need to get around to Vanille Tonka as well!

  • tmp00 says:

    I’d write Fie on you for dissing Fier, but A) you wrote that you like Louve and B) you are willing to get a petition up to bring back Fier.

    Aren’t you?

    I know I shouldn’t be a pig and stick myself in the draw, so I will leave it up to you: if you think I’ve reviewed all of them, kick me out. If not include me in.

    • Patty says:

      And this is why I love you, you are willing to overlook past missniffs.

      Yup, I’ll petition for Fier. I’ll do it in person when I’m there, in my horrible Pimsleur French. My husband is getting really, really tired of me asking him if he understands English or French. I need to go on to the next lesson.

      I think there’s enough interesting things in there that you might like, and if not, if you win, you can just pass it along!

  • Tigs says:

    Please count me in for the draw. Have you tried Maharanih yet, P? I think March and I are the only ones banging the drum for this one, but hey…um, we’re good company! :d And as for the Quand Vient… rosemary?! Rosemary?!? Hmm, I’ll think about it. I love those ones where there’s something sticking out like a sore thumb…

    • chayaruchama says:

      Dear Tigs-
      You are not alone, screaming into the void..
      I have a BIG ole bottle of Maharanhi right here.

      May I join BOTH split- 1/2 oz.- and draw ?
      Yippee !

    • Patty says:

      yup, I briefly sniffed that one and loooooove it! Seriously, there’s not a clunker in the bunch so far. There are some I love better, but I found all of them I’ve sniffed and worn for a little bit to be charming. She’s very gifted and needs our support! 🙂

    • Yep, I’m a big Maharinih fan, too. It was the
      only perfume I took on a week’s vacation. I’ll
      admit I did get tired of it the searing heat, but
      just because i can’t wear a single perfume for
      a whole week. But I love it for all it is and
      isn’t

  • Maria says:

    I’m so glad PdN is getting some attention! It’s been lonely here in the cheering section. I haven’t tried Maharadjah. I must remedy that omission. As to Eau du Fier–it’s fascinating. Unfortunately, like every other Goutal I’ve tried, it vanished in a very little while. I get much longer wear and a similar effect out of CB Faggot.

    Please include me in the draw. I’m always in the market for free fumes.

    • Patty says:

      Yeah, I was sniffing through a bunch last night, and I don’t think there was a one I didn’t like or find interesting. Odalisque is a charming treatment of Lily of the Valley. And I had to get that Fig Tea thing you and March and Louise(?) are always raving about.

      Eau du Fier doesn’t last? Wow! I woke up with it still on my hand this morning.

  • Cynthia Lesiuk says:

    Hi Patty:

    I love free stuff! Please enter me in your grab bag draw.
    Thanks!
    Cynthia