2007 started off with a bang — six new scents from Chanel. One great, some good, some okay, some that needed to be made into parfum.
Tom Ford heated up the fragrance wars with an obscene excess of TWELVE new scents at the same time. Some good, a couple great, a couple that made my lip curl in disgust and revulsion. A weird, yet still stylish, bag to be sure.
By Kilian waded in with his gorgeous visage late in the year with six new scents… in stunning, cunning little boxes. Now, while I like very much a couple of them, the initial price point is a killer, though the beautiful box … I mean, really, what’s not to love?
Comme des Garcons had a miss with Play, but totally hit with LUXE Patchouli, other than the price, and I’m still anxiously awaiting the 888 to see how the year will end for them.
Prada made vats of Iris, and it’s nice enough, but clearly they were going for Purple Iris Haze in a Trash Can rather than a great perfume.
Serge’s Louve and Sarrasins were both good, though did they hit greatness? No.
Guerlain nailed greatness to the wall with three entries this year – Iris Ganache, Spiritueuse Double Vanille and Quand Vient la Pluie. Love or hate those three scents, they were not weak imitations or unoriginal — iris and sweets, who knew? Yeah, they really had a spectacular year! Well, except for that Vol de Nuit Evasion thing, which was asbolutely the most vile thing I’ve smelled in a couple of years.
Other standouts from new lines were Lann-ael from Lost’m’a’r’c’h and the Juliette has a Gun line Much of the year, though, was a whole lot of “yeah, they’re okay, I’d wear them, but where the hell is the greatness that should come with so many perfumes?!?!”
2007 is most notable for the sheer volume of entries.
But! Just in time for Christmas, there’s a whole lotta greatness goin’ on: Two new fantastic Amouage releases – dark incense for one and not just a little skank for the other; a release from Bond that is the most memorable perfume they’ve made, Silver Factory; the Roja Doves, which are a return to classic perfumery; and the three new incenses from Annick Goutal that are just amazing. They aren’t new, but those Private Reserve scents from the Perfume House also cheered me up.. a LOT.
Is it possible that this flurry of masterpieces at the end of 2007 will save this year in perfumery? It’s just what I wanted for Christmas.
Know what else I want? World peace, a football team that doesn’t suck, a fair college football team ranking system and for my youngest son to get into his first choice college. Well, yeah. Barring all that, I need to hone my best of 2007 list, and I’m close — no, I’m not telling you what’s on it, and I do have it mostly finished, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything.
So because I have the flu – had it on my birthday last weekend – and my headache is the size of Texas South America, in comments nominate your top five scents of 2007 because I’m depending on you guys to make sure I don’t miss anything. Bonus is… if you nominate five in comments, you get an entry into a drawing, and the winner will get all 25 samples of what makes my Best of 2007 list.
Winner of the samples of the Private Reserve six scents — Pattie! Hey, it’s not Pismo glass, but you’ll love them anyway. Just click on the Contact us button on the left, and I’ll send you off the samples once I have your address!
Well, I am late to the party as usual, but for what it’s worth, Happy Birthday to you, Patty! Hope you are feeling better. And happy holidays to you and your posse! Your blogs are sheer pleasure to read!
My favorite new scents of 2007 include:
1. Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale
2. i Profumi di Firenze Terra di Siena
3. Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Tamarind/Paprika
4. Parfumerie Generale Bois Blond
5. Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel
6. because I hate to leave it out – Parfumerie Generale’s Cadjmere
Hi everyone!
Always lugging behind…here is my top 5, and I mean truly great fragrances. Each one of them has changed my way of thinking about perfume and really made me fall in love… hard. The Guerlains are in the end but might as well be on the top. At this moment I’m in trance sniffing 2 of the Roja Dove’s, Unspoken and Enslaved, and did anyone have a chance to sniff the whole Bois 1920 line? I would name it the best unisex collection… Real Patchouly is…yes amber, but as smoothly blended and classy as can possibly be, and Agrumi Amari di Sicilia beats any Acqua di Parma summer offering out there; and Sutra Ylang… well, I had the chance to sample all of them at Roja Dove’s Haute Parfumerie in London and I was blown away by so much understated beauty and quality. As for A*MAZE, it has to be the closest thing to Chandler Burr’s description of Angel, this thing will talk to you for hours!
NOTE: please keep in mind that I have conciously stayed away from the Fords and the Kilians, that I was not able to become one with 31 Rue Cambon (even after repeated attempts), and that I haven’t yet been able to sample Les Orientalistes by Annick Goutal and the 2 CDG Luxe… after that, I may have to change my mind…;)
1. Roja Dove Unspoken
2. Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale
3. POTL A*MAZE
4. Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille
5. Guerlain Iris Ganache
ok, I can’t think forever, here’s my top 5 (narrowed dramatically by my limited experience):
1. Black Tourmaline Olivier Durbano
2. Kelly Calèche Hermès
3. Fleurs de Sel Miller Harris
4. Palazzo Fendi
5. Bois Blond Parfumerie Generale
Hope you feel better 🙂
I’ll go with : Guerlain Spirtueuse Double Vanilla
Sarrasins
Louve
Bonds Silver Factory
Indult Tihota
i totally forgot Manuel Canovas Route Mandarine – it’s wonderful! the Riveria is also nice.
Hmm, have I even tried 5 scents released in 2007? I’m so behind! So, out of the few I have tried, I guess my favs would be.. out of the Tom Fords I pick Noir de noir (Moss Breches is really just an inferior Jicky, nice as it is) then Coromandel (haven’t even tried the other Chanels), and then, since I’ve smelled so little I have to pick some you can try on anywhere: Infusion d’iris (I don’t normally care for iris, but this one I really like, I find it leathery, and leather=gooood) Gucci pour homme II (it’s not a masterpiece, I prefer the woody goodness of the original, but I like the rubbery tea note) and Fleur du Male (for the weirdness, the braveness, the queerness, the bottle…) I bet this list will change a lot after I get my catching-up order from The Perfumed Court though…
Here is my list in ever changing order:
Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille
Pafum D’Empire Osmanthus Interdite
Bond no 9 Saks for women
CB Wild Hunt
Creed Virgin Island Water
And about 25 more from other people’s lists!
my votes are for:
Chanel 31 Rue de Cambon
Chanel Coromandel
Chanel 28 La Paua
Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille
Lutens Rousse
for a decently scented antibacterial hand gel try Crabtree & Evelyn Citrus antibacterial hand gel – alcohol hand gel that actually smells nice!
Well, I’m afraid my list isn’t very original, but here goes:
#1 for me has to be Chanel Rue Cambon – instant classic
And in no particual order:
Chanel No 5 Eau Premier – very nicely done even though not my thing
Prada Infusion d’Iris – addictive and so wearable
POTL A*Maze – striking and kindof strange
Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia – diva
Hope you feel better soon!
I’m not on fire about many of the new releases I tried,even the new Guerlains: Iris Ganache & DSV (and I was sure these were perfect for me!). I really wanted to buy Bond Andy Warhol SF, but it didn’t work for me. Wish I could have tried Immortelle L’Amour by Ayala Moriel, as I think it sounds like something I’d love, and it was released last month….
The New releases FBW for me:
SL Rousse
Lost Marc’h Lann-ael
By Killian A Taste of Heaven
By Killian Love
SJP Covet
Hey babe! Happy Birthday, darling Patty. I hope you feel better and get to celebrate in a grand style real soon. 😡
Things have been crazed for me, but here are my top five:
Le Labo Iris 39
Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance
Bruno Acampora Sballo
Parfums d’Empire Osmanthus Interdite
Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille
Does that work?
Hugs and love!
R, have missed you!!!!! And thanks so much.
Great choices. Was Iris 39 released in 2007? Huh. I think that’s one of their best things.
xoxox
Well. Out of all 500 new perfume launches listed on Basenotes for 2007, I’ve smelled five. Being new to this game, I’ve got some catching up to do which would be helped tremendously by winning the drawing. 😉
My five for 2007:
Bond. #9 – Andy Warhol Silver Factory
CB – Fire From Heaven
POTL – A*Maze
PG – Querelle
Profumum – Olibanum
I do love all of these, by the way, some more than others. Every time I wear A*Maze, I have a good day; every time I wear Querelle, I end up being an a**h*le for some reason. Yet I love it and wear it anyway. Fire From Heaven calms me and Olibanum manages to attract attention when I wear it. Silver Factory–I just got my decant today, thank you very much TPC, and I’m just now starting to fall in love.
Hope you’re feeling better.
Hey, for coming in late in the year, you have got some greats on your list! I do love that Olibanum.
Mood and perfume are completely together. I know what I’m wearing, if it’s all wrong, will just put me in a foul mood. ON the other hand, if it’s perfect, I’m just giddy all day. It’s great!
Sorry about your flu. 🙁
Hmm…well…there’s no way I could sniff ALL the releases for 2007 – looks like it would have been about 2 new sniffs a day for all of 2007 at a slow but steady pace?
But of what I did try….
1) CBIHP – Wild Hunt (I’m totally smitten with this one! especially when layered with one of his violets)
2) Equistrius
3) Winter Star by Michael Storer
4) Untitled #5
5) Umm…I don’t know! maybe MK High Intensity, but that’s mostly because I have a bottle right here and it does smell sexy. Maybe not uniquely sexy, but it’s what I’m looking at so it wins.
Okay, what is Untitlted #5 and MK High Intensity? I don’t think I’ve heard of those two!
http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/detail.asp?itemid=31705§ion=1
Untitled #5 – all I really smell is burnt sugar, but it’s really really nice un-obnoxious burnt sugar
http://www.marykay.com/abigaile/fragrances/mensfragrances/mensfragrances/10012494/default.aspx
Smells ok. I like it for me, but my husband does not, because he’s mean
Being so new to the perfumista gig, I spent most of my perfume allocated disposable income this year exploring various perfumes by manufacturer.
In order to follow the guidelines for this post, I did some on-line searching for release dates and narrowed my 2007 “likes” down to these (in no particular order):
1)Kitsune by Amando Martinez (may have to explore the possibility of a full-bottle purchase/adored by a co-worker & me)
2)Estee Lauder Azuree Soleil (wonderful in the Florida summer heat)
3)Perfumerie Generale Cuir d’Iris (onlines sites show a 2006 release date, but others have posted this as a 2007 release)
4)Perfumerie Generale Bois Blond
5)POTL AMAZE (only for its strangeness!)
Can’t wait to try Silver Factory & the new Bond (will have to go back & look up the name).
Hope you feel better soon, Patty!
Thanks, Susan! Great choices there. I A*Maze has made a lot of lists, too. Hmmm… I really did like that one, that’s for sure, but I kept forgetting about it!
Well, I’m really looking forward to those samples of the Amouages in particular as well as the AGs (not my fave line, but they sounds fabulous) and Andy Wharhol Silver Factory – love Young Mr. Guichard. Still no sign of the Brin de Reglisse (hopefully tomorrow’s mail will bring it, a full month’s gotta be the charm?) So can’t speak to the late rush, but I hope some of them will save what has otherwise seemed to me to be a rather dismal year.
Admired Estee Lauder PC Tuberose Gardenia, but it’s not the sort of thing I wear. Liked Kelly Caleche, Armani Eclat de Jasmin and Prada Infusion d’Iris, but not enough to do anything about it. Really enjoyed sampling Fleurs de Sel, the Roja Doves and French Lover, but don’t return to those vials often. I’m irrationally fond of Gianni Campagna Vento Cannale (thanks Nancy!), but can’t in good conscience say it is a “best” and have no idea when it came out. Love, love, LOVE PdN Maharanih, which only got to us North Americans this year, but was released last year in Europe. Was quite intrigued by Aftelier Tango (and I generally dislike oils) but that came out last fall, too. So really that only leaves me with 31 Rue Cambon, which I feel absolutely certain of, and Shiloh, which could be bumped, but I thought was a lovely fragrance.
Wow! You got ONE on your list? 🙂
Well, I wanted to leave room for the Amouages and the new AGs etc. 🙂 Also, I haven’t tried the Guerlain SDV or QVlP. Not many big new releases from some of my fave niche lines (PdN, Ormonde Jayne, FM) this year.
Hope you feel better, Patty! This is the best list I could come up with, not having smelled the new Amouage or *hangs head in shame* any of the new Guerlains. But- I’m new to this, and it takes a while to catch up, as you say.
1. Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
2. Parfumerie Generale Bois Blond
3. People of the Labrynths A*Maze
4. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia
5. Chanel Bel Respiro
Thanks, Denise! Hey, you’ll get around to them eventually. Most perfumes aren’t going anywhere, especially the Guerlains. 🙂
My favorites of 2007
1. Les Parfums de Rosine Rose Kashmirie – Rosine speaks to my soul in a way that no other line (expect for Caron!) does. Kashmirie, the newest, is a perfectly spiced and honeyed rose.
2. Chanel 31 Rue Cambon – Just because.
3. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia – Pearly white flowers. So elegant!
4. Les Parfums de Rosine Diabolo Rose (this came out this year, right?) – The ideal too-hot-for-perfume scent.
5. Prada Infusion D’Iris – A sheer, purple veil. Perfect for what it is.
Also some great choices. I may need to rethink the Prada. I’m still not sure it’s great, but for popularity it very well might need to be on the list.
Here’s mine!
1. Andy Tauer Reverie au Jardin–This gave me strange, feverish dreams the first time I wore it to bed…something about the play of hot on cold, sharp on soft that worms its way into your subconscious
2. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia–I’m surprised not to see this on more lists. It was released this year, right? Absolutely flawless.
3. Parfumarie Generale Bois Blond–Smells like a roll in the hay during the country club’s annual box social. (Or whatever they do in those places.)
4. Montale White Aoud–I can’t wear it; it’s too impossibly rich-smelling. But it is beautiful with all that burning cream and rose.
5. Tie! Ava Luxe Madame X and Midnight Violet–Deep, dirty, velvety brews for two very fabulous creatures of the night. Still available on Etsy!
Great choices. I need to think about putting Andy’s on there. I’m not a big lavender fan, so it didn’t make my personal list, but it’s appearing on enough lists that it might need to go on a best of 2007 list.
Man, I love lists. I can’t wait for the burst of year-end blog lists.
for me, in no particular order:
–Guerlain Iris Ganache–a double whammy, both the first chocolate and first iris I really “got.” It was a brief leap from there to better renditions of both, but this is still a novel and well-done mix. The lasting power surprises me everytime I put it on.
–Prada Infusion d’Iris–all the parts of the plant that I like. Not challenging in any way, but totally wearable.
–Parfum d’Empire Fougere Bengal–rowwrrr. Dry, dark spices, black powders and shadows.
–CB I Hate Perfume Fire From Heaven–I was late to the incense party, and while this isn’t the best incense there is, it does nail one particular thing for me that I would have never looked for in a scent. In the 90s, I kept all my incense in one drawer in an old rough cabinet. When I opened the drawer, there was a cloud of all the dry incense, the grind of unfinished wood, the faint ashy dust left in the holders. Fire From Heaven is EXACTLY that smell. I can understand why others might not love it (the dusty muddle), but it’s an astonishing flashback for me.
–Creed Virgin Island Water–hard for me to believe, but this does appear to be a 2007 release (it seems so much older). On paper, I should hate this: I don’t love fruits, I can’t handle coconut, I avoid heavy doses of sugar. On my skin, though, it’s everything it claims to be–fun, sun, the beach (all day at the beach, no less).
Great choices. Agree about Fire from Heaven. It’s not the best smoke or incense scent, but it does have something subtly magical going on with it that’s more than the sum of its parts. You described it perfectly.
I almost feel bad responding to this post. I’m still relatively new at taking perfume seriously and doing actual research on the various notes, houses, etc. I’ve spent the majority of 2007 playing ‘catch up’ on older fragrances and so many of the ones you all mention above, I’ve yet to try. However, I did manage to find four from 2007 that I either had to have or would be absolutely thrilled to receive.
1-Iris Ganache (Guerlain) – the first Guerlain I’ve ever been able to wear successfully. Wheeee!!
2-Virgin Island Water (Creed) – As someone who’s not too big on summer scents, to my total surprise this one absolutely enthralled me.
3-Estee Lauder Private Collection: Tuberose Gardenia – Feminine and just plain pretty (lush)
4-Osmanthus Interdite (Parfum D’Empire) – Feminine and just plain pretty (subtle)
Patty, I surely hope you feel better soon. It’s almost impossible to avoid getting sick in this changeable weather we’ve been having. :-s
Oh, I like your list, and I forgot about Virgin Island Water. It enthralled me too, and I have to think about it going on the list, it may need a spot!
Happy (belated) B-Day and hopes for a speedy recovery from the flu.
Alas, here’s a quick top 5 (in no particular order):
Guerlain’s Iris Ganache (my fav Guerlain since last year’s Bois d’Arménie)
POTL’s A Maze (still searching for the ultimate rose though)
Tauer’s Rêverie au Jardin (simply beautiful in its elegance)
PG’s Bois Blond (fantastic play on wood)
PG’s Querelle (a nicely compsed incense-based creation)
Thank you! I need to make sure I get a PG on my list. I’ve got one penciled in now, but I might want to rething Querelle, it’s making several lists!
Oooh, tough for me out here in BKK — a lot of the great new stuff doesn’t make it over. But thanks to The Perfumed Court’s previous fiefdoms, I did get to smell a few lovely new things!
1) 31 Rue Cambon. Wearing it today? Melancholy elegance.
2) Chanel No. 18, because I thought it was gross pickled toes for so long, but am starting to sniff something rather lovely and intriguing in it these days. Strange…
3) Andy Tauer’s Reverie au Jardin, which I thought smelled like Pine-Sol at first. Now I appreciate its incredible, exalted, incense-y tenacity.
4) Tauer’s L’eau d’epices. Okay, this is cheating a bit, as it hasn’t been marketed. (So hope it will be?) But I find this so mesmerizing. Starts sweet, goes dark and drier and lasts forever. Makes me feel delicious, but somehow not foodily so…
5) Worth Courtesan! March sprayed this on me when she was in BKK and then so generously gave me the rest of her decant. Spicy, a tinge sweaty, like a lady who “glows” and doesn’t perspire…
Courtesan really is a great fragrance. I don’t think it works on me as well as it does on March, but there’s just nothing to hate about it at all.
Belated happy birthday! Jeez, I can’t believe what a hard time I’m having coming up with five 2007 releases that I love or even like a lot. All I can think of right now are Lostmarc’h Lan-ael, Parfumerie Generale Bois Blond and Prada Infusion d’Iris. I guess I’ll show a little more love to Lostmarc’h and say Din-dan for its zingy citrusy goodness. Nothing else is coming to mind at the moment.
Wow! This was a bad year for perfumes for you! 🙂
I can’t complain – there are more than enough bottles from 2006 and before that I’m trying to work my way though :d My wallet is relieved.
Hi! Sorry you’re under the weather– hope you’re feeling better soon!! My number one fave this year has got to be Yves St. Laurent Paris Nuit de Fete. I’m wearing it now and it makes me so happy. Next up is Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia. Never thought I’d like it but I really do. It’s just so darn pretty. Also very much enjoyed Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur– a complete surprise seeing I couldn’t stand the original Black Orchid. Serge Lutens Sarrasins had me at bonjour, and last but not least, SJP’s Covet, simply because it’s unlike any other celebrity perfume out there in that it’s interesting! Cheers and Happy New Year!
Thanks, Nikki! I sure wish I had gotten what some of you got from Covet, but I am glad she did something against the norms.
Birthday wishes, along with get-well wishes! And then condolences on your son picking CU-Boulder to continue his partyi…uh, education (where my son and money are going these days…) sigh… :((
These niche perfumes are so new to me, but I’m trying to catch up fast!
Here’s my 2007 list (I’m still working on 1919!):
Shiloh, Hors la Monde
A*Maze, POTL (my SECOND niche purchase!)
Perfect Night, Bella Bellissima (my FIRST niche purchase!)
Diabolo Rose, Les Parfums de Rosine
White Jasmine and Mint, Jo Malone (Okay, I’m reaching here…but I really do like this)
Best to You!
Thanks, Cathy! What year is your son in at Boulder? I’m still hoping he goes to CU Colorado Springs, it just seems more, um, sedate! 🙂 But he really liked Boulder. :0
This is my son’s second year. The real kicker is paying a fortune for the dorms that are only as big as a closet, and dorm food that my sons swears they add laxative to (state mandated, no less.) He jests! But really, what’s not to like about Boulder? It’s a beautiful town.
Ok, so Guerlain is my fave brand of the year and top 5 would be:
Guerlain- Iris Ganache, Spiritueuse Double Vanille, and Quand Vient la Pluie (which I am a very proud new owner of!)
Gucci by Gucci EDP, and Chanel 31.
Agree with that list, well except for the Gucci, which I did like, and it would be close!
Happy belated Birthday, Patty, and get well soon!
Here’s my list:
Rêverie au Jardin (Andy Tauer)
rubj (Vero Kern)
Brin de Réglisse (Hermès)
Moss Breches (Tom Ford)
Diabolo Rose (Rosine)
Would love to include Coromandel and 31 Rue Cambon, both of which I first dismissed and then grew to love. Rose Kashmirie. Onda. PG Cadjmere. But you did say 5, didn’t you?
P.S. I sent a package some time ago. Did it arrive or get lost in the wilds of Neverland? You never know…..
Okay, you guys and the Kern thing are making me crazeee!!!! 🙂
yes, I did get your package. I am so sorry. I thought I Had e-mailed you, but appreantly my manners have disappeared. Thank you!
Great! I was getting worried. What happens to lost packages anyway? Do they have some kind of graveyard to go to, like elephants? Or do they just get shuttled from one post office to the other into eternity? What about lost e-mails? Do they twitter about the ether until the fade into invisibility? Ah, the philosophical questions….. I think I’m starting to crack under the holiday stress 8-|
As a doctor, I recommend you take your vitamin C and lots of home-made chicken soup (it’s good karma for your son if he makes it for you…karma is KEY when trying to get into college, or so my daughter says!) Also, carry around that hand sanitizer (when will they make it in decent scents???). You pick up cold viruses from any touchable surface (grocery carts, ew!) but the flu floats in the air, so get your flu shot next year (it helps!)
I’m new to the perfuming world, but I already have some amazing favorites:
1) Clive Christian X– it makes me feel sexy, exhuberant and extremely poor after buying a bottle, but CC signed it for me. How could I refuse? He’s a really nice (read sexy!)man, and his daughter Victoria is an absolute doll.
2) Frederic Malle Carnal Flower–though my hubby says it smells like clean laundry (I never met anyone so dysosmic!)
3) Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur–what a great fall scent.
4) Frederic Malle Lys Mediterranee–like a summer on Santorini!
5) And yet another Frederic Malle Theresa–exotic, elegant.
Thank you for the advice! My mom tells me the same thing, and I really should follow it. I’ll pester my sons to make me some chicken soup, which sound perfect for this snowy winter day.
You have a great list of some beautiful perfumes there. Despite CC’s cost, I find myself really loving a couple of them. The men’s X stole my heart, it’s one of my favorites, and I surprisingly adore CC No. 1 for Women, despite that ridiculous price. The longer I have it on, it just haunts my nose with these beautiful shadow notes that I can’t quite pin down.
Great summation Patty…agree on some, not on others. 😉
My personal best of 2007:
1. Prada Infusion D’Iris – not for wow, but for a beautiful blend
2. No. 18 by Chanel – for making pickles beautiful
3. Kelly Caleche – although lacking the promised leather, still beautiful
4. Sarrasins – not groundbreaking, but civet & jasmin were meant to be together
5. Givenchy Re-editions – not “new” per se, but worth mentioning
Not that you asked, but my least favourite:
1. Fahrenheit 32 – crap
2. French Lover – redundant?
3. Brin de Reglisse – wrong on top of wrong
4. Fleur de Male – crap boiled in sugar
5. Daisy – crap
3.
Prada is a beautiful blend. And I do give them huge credit for a great price point, once you split it with ten of your bestest friends. 🙂
You know, I may have to rethink Kelly Caleche, which also has me rethinking the Eclat Jasmine from Armani, too. They weren’t wowers, but both were really well-made subtle, beautiful perfumes, which is something that we she always recognize in perfumerie.
Agree with you on Sarrasins. Not sure why it didn’t get the love I have for it, but I think in time it willl.
Strangely enough, I’m a little fond of the Brin de Reglisse. It is a weird thing, but weird from JCE is better than his sometimes almost vaporscent! 🙂
Happy birthday, my dear !
I’m sorry you’re feeling so crummy-
[ I tried to send messages on POL, and your phone- to sing to you- but couldn’t get through..]
I loved many that others have named: SDV, Quand Vient La Pluie,Cadjmere,Prada Cuir Ambre,Onda, TF’s Velvet Gardenia, Moss Breches, Amber Absolute,Ava-Luxe Madeline, Shisha, Midnight Violet;MH’s L’Air de Rien;CDG Patchouli; Wild Hunt; Killian’s Cruel Intentions; NM’s PDI; ad nauseam…
Feel better SOON !
Oh, I love your list. Now I need to rethink a few that were on mine.
Weird, do I have my phone and things on POL? Maybe! 🙂
No, my silly one…
1) There’s a ‘happy birthday’ thread on POL, wishing you a happy birthday [DOH !]- and
2) I went nuts trying to locate you to sing to you- just to make you laugh…
[P.S.- Your FAX machine enjoyed it, though!]
Hope you’re better soon, Patty! Hm, five. Not easy really. I spent very nearly all this year catching up! I haven’t smelled the Amouages (yet) so cannot comment on those save to say I’m very interested. So my top five for 2007 are as follows
Chanel 31
Guerlain SDV
Vero Kern’s Onda (extraordinary stuff and she seems such a lovely person)
EL Azuree Soleil (the scent was this year right?)
MH Fleurs de Sel
I do admire the Roja Doves and may yet fall for at least 2 but I’ve only sniffed them once and must spend more time with them.
I think all of those are on my list! At least right now. 🙂
Except the Onda, which I’m fixin’ to rectify. Y’all have me intrigued about it.
My top 5 from 2007 (in no particular order)
*Chanel-31 Rue Cambon
*Tom Ford-Moss Breches
*Ava Luxe-No 23 (from 2007 right?)
*Bond no 9-AWSF
*L’Artisan-Iris Pallida
I hope you get well soon~o)
Oh, hell.. No. 23. That *should* be on there. But does it count if she’s closed up her business for now? Hate to put something on there that was released in 2007 and you can’t even get unless you are birddogging her etsy site. 🙂
I also “came out” into scent in the past year so many of my new favorites this year are really only new to me.
Gee. Can I pick the new AG Amber Fetiche & Myrrh Ardente even if Aedes won’t have them until FALL 2008? No? Sigh. OK. How about others I’m itching to try but haven’t? CDG Luxe? I’m sure I like some of the Tom Fords & the Rojas Dove, if only I could sniff them. And I might love CB Fire From Heaven (when I get to smell it). And the Dior Passage 9! Doesn’t count if I haven’t smelled, I know. Well then:
Chanel #18: even if I can’t stand it unless it’s springtime. But in spring & early summer weather it is incredible on me.
Chanel 28 La Pausa: odd & not easy for me to wear but when it’s right it’s amazing.
Memoire Liquide Jasmine Green Tea is a yummy cheap high for me.
Memoire Liquide Souk Nocturne. Also a cheap high.
SL Sarrasins wasn’t bad. Yes, I know I’m reaching but I’m out of names. Phooey. All my faves are so last year. So much for being cutting edge …. *deep sigh* 😉
Where are my manners? Happy feel better birthday! Drat, no cake emoticon? Hmm. <:-p
Oh, no, honey, you have some great faves! I think they’re just doing everything so late in the year, and it seems like the very best of 2007 is just now showing up.
Really, no new AGs at Aedes until next fall?!? Wonder if BG will get them sooner. I know the Diors seem to have been moved to January for the U.S. availability. Those Dior boutiques are quite weary of hearing from me. They better be good or I’m just gonna be torched because I’ve spent too much time keeping track of them.
I talked to hmm, the blond one. Karl? Can’t keep names straight, ever. Anyway. He said no AGs until maybe fall 08. BUT … he also said that he was talking to Lutens about maybe getting a special non-export SL in the shop. I told him he NEEDS Cuir Mauresque. So I’m sure he was just making idle chit chat but now it can be a real rumor, lol!!
First – Patty, I hope you are feeling better, and so sorry you were sick on your b-day. With 2 friends down with a stomach bug, my son’s bound to be next and that’s how my b-day may end up in 2 days.
Anyway, I’ve spent so much time learning and $ on decants over the year but clearly didn’t hit the 2007 newbies too hard. The following are the only ones I tired, but do like… but not love.
Perfect Night
31 rue Cambon
Coromandel
Spiritueuse Double Vanilla
Daisy (for my sister looking for a light floral…)
It’s tough the first couple of years into scent…. so many things to try, and you’re catching up on the older ones. It does make it nice, though, because once you kinda get caught up to where you want to be, you can just grab the best of prior years. 🙂
Coromandel… hm. I thought about that one, and it’s still on the maybe pile, but I really only wanted to do one Chanel on the list,l though eau premiere came pretty close for me and may still wind up on it just because it’s thoroughly pretty and wearable, but still retaining what made 5 great.
Well, this is going to be hard, since I haven’t sniffed the fabulous Amouages yet, or Silver Factory, or the Doves. So I really don’t have many, but I’ll try. . . .
CdG Patchouli–Oh, dear! Having demolished my decant, I fear I’m going to have to buy this one.
Tom Ford Moss Breches.
Bruno Acampora Musc–OK, this isn’t a new scent, but it’s new to these shores (and someone else put it on )! If it’s not fair, sub 31 Rue Cambon.
PG Cuir d’Iris (and Querelle)
Montale Saffron parfum (and Montale Hoggar Mota)–I need to try that Red Aoud.
I also really liked
–Nasomatto Absinthe (actually, maybe this should be up there)
–Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance
–Prada Cuir Ambre (OK, I LOVED this–but it’s not really new, just new to me).
And Happy Belated Birthday to you!!<:-p Feel better!!!@};-
Thank you!!! I am feeling MUCH better today, thank goodness!
Oh, no, now I need to re-think my list. Or at least a couple of things on it. I thought about the Absinthe going on there too, and I haven’t completely ruled it out yet, but I’m thinking it fits more yours and my personal tastes than a great 2007 release. Hmmm…
I think you are right about the Nasomatto. I felt the same about Perfect Night, which I really like, but a great scent. . . I dunno. . . And Lady V. is wonderful, but NOT a great scent. If that is the criterion, I need to cut out the Montales, too–I like them, but (quoting Iman on PRCanada, my new addiction) they just don’t “measure up”. . . I would leave CdG Patch(LOVE it more every time I wear it), Moss Breches, Querelle (more unusual than Cuir d’Iris so it wins, I supppose), and, I guess, 31 Rue Cambon (if the BA Musc is cheating–I DO think this is a great scent, though). Hmmmm. . .that’s only four, and the last two, though I am very fond of them, are open to bumping (particularly the Chanel, which I really like, but rarely wear). So–I need to sniff some of the new faves. . . Jubilations, here I come! And when will the AGs be available (holding off on my TPC order a bit in the hope that it will be soon)
So you liked the Roja Dove scents? I am kind of…underwhelmed by them. 🙁
I really, really like Unspoken and think it’s the best of the three and really excellent. The other two I do like, and I like the direction they’re going in, though they aren’t my personal favorites or really to my taste for wearing.
Dear Patty hope you are better soon. And Happy Birthday (late)!
1. Rue Cambon – Chanel
2. L’Air de Rien – Miller Harris
3. Wild Hunt – CB
4. Bel Respiro – Chanel
5. Memoire Liquide Cafe Royal
Thanks, Devon!
Oh, I like your list! Was L’air de Rien in 2007? Uh-oh. Cra-ap. If so, I need to fix my list to include it.
Happy belated birthday to you! <:-p Ok, 5 that would go on my list for Best of 2007. 1. Ambergris Ambre & Diamont Noir 2. Parfums de Nicolai Eau Exotique 3. Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel 4. Bella Bellissima Perfect Night 5. Mandy Aftel Tango :)>–
Oh, I like your list. Thank you Anne! You know, I briefly sniffed that Diamant, and it is pretty spectacular. I wish they’d make it more widely available… even just a couple more stores would be nice!!!:((
I haven’t had the chance to sample the Amouage either. With that in mind here is my list:
Cuir d’Oranger Miller Harris
Courvoisier L’edition Imperiale
Quand Vient la Pluie
Coromandel
Sarrisins
Honorable mention to Michael Storer who deserves some praise for his successful launch of Stephanie, Yvette, Genviève this year.
Great list, but I haven’t smelled a couple of those yet.
Well, for everyone who hasn’t smelled the Amouages yet, your list will change. 🙂 AT least to put one of them on there. And I didn’t even include those new Annick Goutals since they won’t be released in the U.S. until next year, perhaps really late in the year, which sucks.
Patty, please feel better, and belated Happy B-day!
I have a little list…just my “best on me’s”
1)Perfect Night
2)Vento Canale
3)Luxe Patchouli
4)Rue Cambon
5)Rose Kashmirie
And in case I messed up the years of any of those…I’d add Moss Breches and Memoire Liquide Black Tea (the only one of the line that works for me). It would be fun to see what we would have listed in the spring, these are pretty much all warm, rich scents for winter.
Nope, you definitely have the year right on all of those, and that’s a great list. I’m toying with putting the Rose Kashmirie on the list or no. I really, really love it, but I’m just trying to think… great? Yeah, maybe, but then something else has to go off of it, but there are a couple right on the edge that I could slice. Hmmm….
I don’t know whether I should throw in my two pennorth worth, seeing as I already have talked to you about this via email, but here goes anyway…
1: Jubilation XXV
2: Fougere Bengale
3: CDG Luxe Patchouli (man, I’m loathe to put this in here but it is gooood)
4: Rousse (probably not great, but oh so wearable)
5: Rue Cambon for sheer elegance.
There’s plenty I haven’t sniffed from that list (the Roja Doves for example – and considering I’m only 2 hours from Harrods, that’s inexcusable laziness, really) and I’ve only bought two bottles from this year’s releases – so far, anyway.
And I hope your head is clearing…:x
Well, we certainly agree on these, though I’m still struggling with whether CdG patch gets on there or not. Depends on how that 888 is.
You are a lazy git. Hie thyself down to Harrods and get to sniffing. I’m almost thinkin Unspoken may work for you. Don’t think enslaved or scandal will, but Bryan should love Scandal, lots of great tuberose in it! I really should queue these up for a review, but I keep thinking March is going to. 🙂
Happy birthday, Patty! Hope you get better soon…
Here’s my list for 2007:
1/ Chanel 31 rue Cambon, simply the best “neo-chypre”, both spare and opulent.
2/ Miller Harris L’Air de Rien, a strangely soulful, darkly sexy oakmoss-musk combo.
3/ Veroprofumo Onda, by Swiss perfumer Vero Kern (a friend of dear Andy Tauer’s), a feral leather vetiver on a honey-beeswax base, the closest thing to Guerlain Djedi this side of the perfume graveyard.
4/ Chanel N°18, for its weirdly compelling multi-faceted ambrette-iris loveliness.
5/ Hermès Kelly Calèche, almost universally underrated because we all expected leather, but a strangely winning interpretation of what an aquatic scent could be like: iris and mimosa drenched in rain.
I can’t comment on the Roja Doves and the Amouage, alas, nor the new Bond. I struggled with including the neo-classical Estée Lauder Tuberose Gardenia and the lovely weirdness of Parfums d’Empire Fougère du Bengale. And if reeditions counted, Givenchy Le De and Lancôme Cuir would be up there…
It sure would be wonderful if the Perfumed Court started carrying Vero Kern’s intriguing creations. :-“
I was able to get the samples from Vero Kern from her website – very generous amounts in a glass atomizer and parfum strength! Different and utterly mesmerising.
Okay, most of your list is on mine or on the verge of making it in.
This is the second time you mentioned that Onda, so I had to order it to see what the fuss is about. It sounds pretty amazing! Can’t wait to try that.
Patty, I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on it. I’ve been wearing it today and I’m ordering a full bottle. Nicola is right: the samples are very generous and as it’s extrait, very concentrated, with very high quality ingredients (Vero let me smell her bases when she was in Paris), a few drops are really all you need. We did a side-by-side of Onda and Djedi. Eerily similar in some phases, though Onda is sweeter. Again, I’ll be expecting your thoughts on it.
Well, like, I’m so cutting edge that I’m currently inhaling deeply all the Daltroffs. Still, I do have access to the Basenotes list of 2007 launches, and, lo and behold, I found fragrances I actually like very, very much:
–Tauer Perfumes Reverie au Jardin: Not only is it a beautiful green, lavender, incense whirl, it gave me the opportunity to meet Andy, one of the highlights of my year.
–Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel: Salt and herbs, what can I say?
–CB Wild Hunt: In a deep forest, I hear Pan calling.
–Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille: I know you already mentioned it, Patty, but one cannot mention it too much
–Bella Bellissima Perfect Night: All hail Louise and Lee for discovering it. ^:)^
–Serge Lutens Rousse: If it hadn’t been for Basenotes, I would have guessed it had been released last year, but it’s 2007, so on the list it goes.
Oops, sorry. Happy birthday, Patty, and I hope you soon recover!
Hey, almost every single one of those are on my/our list!!! I keep calling it mine while I pester Lee and March about it. 🙂
Thanks for the birfday wishes!
Wow- that’s almost the exact list I came up with! I just substituted Silver Factory for Bella Bellisima (haven’t tried that. Yet)
Happy Belated Birthday from a long time reader and first time poster! 🙂 Thank you for the great blog and TPC – both have helped this newbie perfumista get her sniffing in order. 😉
I’ll stick to what I have had a chance to sniff out of the 500 perfumes released this year (according to basenotes)! (Oldies I’ve just discovered but love are FdB, 10CC, Bois Farine, Amarige, and Winter Delice.)
My top 5 of 2007 would be (in no particular order):
– Gucci by Gucci EDP: It definitely deserves credit for not being your standard fruity-floral, showing respect to the idea of a chypre and being well-blended enough for this patch-hater to enjoy.
– The Gap Individuals scents: I love the niche feel to them and the reasonable price point – they’re the anti-thesis of most mall clothing scents and should help attract new perfumies to the posse. 😉
– SJP Covet: Green yet gourmand and again somewhat edgy – too bad SJP doesn’t work with Lyn Harris to create her scents!
– Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille – if only for the excitement and many discussion it elicited for perfumies and on boards around the web. 😉 It smells good, too, although sadly its incense and smoke never bloomed on me.
– Moschino Funny!: Both a lovely take on green tea and citrus and my introduction to Moschino’s quirky and delightful scents.
Thanks for the fun exercise! 🙂
Hi, Red, and so happy you joined in!
Great list, and you’ve got a couple on yours that definitely made mine. I wish Covet had worked for me, and it *almost* did, but just didn’t quite make it over!
No comment on the perfumes. But wishing you get well very soon again. I had a flu myself the last week(s) and it is not fun. Hope your head is shrinking to reasonable levels soon again. Until then: Aspirin and lavender oil on your nose tip.!
Thank you, Andy! Hope you stay well too! This getting older thing is not working for me at all. I used to never be sick.
My 5 nominations for the best of 2007 list are:
1- Amourage Jubilation 25
2- Aftelier Prive
3- Armando Martinez Kitsune
4-&5 Anya’s Garden Kaffir & Temple
It’a mind boggling to think about all the new perfume launches this year, and, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Feel good soon, Patty.
Great list, Joan! I’m actually *finally* feeling better today, yeah! That always happens when I write something feeling sorry for myself. 🙂
Happy Birthday, dear Patty! And feel well!
I want to say BIG thank you to the Ladies of the Perfumed Court for introducing me to the world of perfumes, especially to Nancy who was very kind to answer my “perfume” questions.
I found this blog in March of this year and since then I had tried hundreds of perfumes.
My favorite five of 2007 releases are:
Parfum d’Empire “Equistrius”
Hors La Monde “Shiloh”
L’Artisan “Iris Pallida”
Caron “Montaigne”
Les Exclusifs de Chanel “Bel Respiro”
Thank you very much for the wonderful blog! Merry Christmas and all your wishes come true! :d
Thank you, Lada!! And Merry Christmas to you and your family, may you always be awash in samples that you love! 🙂
Well, from your mouth to CU Boulder’s ear. Harry really, really wants to go there, and he screwed off his first two years of high school, which screwed his GPA enough that it’s iffy on whether he’ll get in or not.
Patty, I am sure everything is going to be fine. I thought the SAT test is more important than GPA. Plus extra curriculum activities. Plus personal charm – Harry has plenty of this 🙂
i found several from recent and many years past but that doesn’t count… haven’t tried all the niche releases yet, so let’s see, for 2007…
chanel no. 31 rue cambon
agent provocateur maitresse (love this stuff)
gucci eau de parfum
worth courtesan
guerlain quand vient la pluie – which i got to smell briefly and very much enjoyed
but in 2007, you know what my best perfume purchase was? a vintage bottle of piguet visa parfum!
yey to roja – bring the vintage style back – but bring it back at an affordable price point!
Great list!
You know, I wonder how much of some of the niche pricing has to do with all of the other costs associate with it? I’ve gotten very sensitive the last couple of years to all the hidden costs there are to running a business. I know I spoke to Linda Pilkington a year or so ago about doing 100 ml bottles for ORmonde Jaynes, and she said they have to order such a large quantity of bottles at one time to meet the minimums for special orders, plus to get a halfway decent price on them, and they get a lot of capital tied up in bottles and boxes, etc., and she said they have a choice on whether to offer more sizes or put their capital into developing perfume, or expansion, etc.
I don’t like the pricing on perfumes at all, but I really pretty much get it. There are a ton of costs associated with producing something, and niche perfumers don’t sell the volume that, say, Gucci or Estee Lauder do because they don’t have that kind of advertising budget or name recognition, except amongst us, so they have to set the price point higher to make any profit at all, assuming their sales will be slow for a while.
Sorry, that turned into a long dissertation, which I didn’t intend it to, but I have a lot of sympathy for where niche perfumers are and why they pick the price points they do. I don’t have to like it, but I get it. =((
Well, I’ve just spent a hectic few minutes running upstairs to root through my bottles and saved samples to find something from 2007. Then I spent more time on PST, NST, and even CB’s Journal to find dates. Cyphre Rouge . . . nope, 2006. Cradle of Light! Nope, December 2006. Well, Tubereuse 40, of course! Naw, 2006 again.
I first entered this world of perfume back in February of this year, so my favorites are seemingly from previous years. I haven’t actually sampled much that’s come out–no Chanels, no Tom Fords, no Prada, no . . . well, fill in the names. That said . . .
Roja Dove rocks. It floods me with the best of the past (thinking Diorama in particular) and is utterly of the present. #1 is Unspoken. I’ve been sitting on my hands not to order it. I even got so far as to talk to an SA about shipping policies, then slapped myself–Christmas season is for others, dear Catherine. Because, if I ordered it, then it would only make sense to get #2 and #3 of 2007 at the same time: Enslaved and Scandal. Enslaved is incredibly indolic on me, like cut flowers releasing their final scent just as they’re starting to die. It’s unreal–very physical. Then, Scandal . . . I normally turn away from rich tuberose scents. This one forces me to look at it, longingly.
Then, #4 and #5 are from By Kilian. They’ve been getting so much flack for being so expensive–and I admit they would already be mine if they were $100 cheaper. Still, Cruel Intentions and Liasons Dangereuses work beautifully on me, and very perfumes do (most smell like rubbing alchohol). I don’t know if I’ll ever get them–unlike the Dove’s, which will be mine.
I can’t wait for the top 25–or for others’ calls for the top 5.
Great list! I have enjoyed the Rojas a lot. They probably aren’t my personal favorites, but I admire them, and Unspoken is the one that I like the best of the three. Nicely done!
Happy late birthday! Hope you treated yourself to lots of fab stuff!
This year really was marked by an emphasis on quantity and I’ve been doing a lot of grumbling about quality. I didn’t think I could even pick five scents, but now that I’m thinking about it, I find I can’t limit myself to only five. I suck at short lists for anything. I have to include both of the Amouage Jubilation scents (my absolute favorites), Roja Dove Unspoken and Enslaved, SL Rousse (that was this year, wasn’t it?), Chanel 31 and Coromandel (*need* these in parfum form), Ellie D, Tom Ford Moss Breches and Velvet Gardenia, Montale Red Aoud, PG Querelle and possibly Rosine’s Rose Kashmirie (which I occasionally loathe, but on the right day and hour can become pure, irresistible magic).
Hope you feel better soon!
I forgot about Rousse…. I want a FB of this one too. One of the only SL’s I have liked!
Crap, Rousse did come out in 2007? Are you sure? Crap, my carefully crafted list just started falling apart now.
But most of your list is on my list, except a couple I haven’t managed to try yet!
Oooh, Elle. What does Montale Red Oud smell like?
OK, I really suck at descriptions, but it’s similar to Black Oud, however it strikes me as being softer and more floral. All I know is that it is now my new favorite Montale oud, just edging out Aoud Flowers for top spot.
I don’t know if I even have a top five for this year, but let’s see…
I really like Moss Breeches by Tom Ford. It’s different, and lasts allllllll day and into the night. Just a drop will do me.
Isvaraya by Indult is another favorite from this year. Patch and plum, sounds weird but I love it.
Musc by Bruno Acapora is just fantastic. Patch and musc, it’s somehow sexy and light, yet lasts all day.
Profumum Olibanum is a favorite this winter for me. Smokey and complex it wears close to my skin and I find it comforting.
Infusion d’Iris by Prada is one of my most wearable scents of the year. Easy, inoffensive, pleasant, it may not be great but it’s something I’ll wear for the rest of my life and that makes it great right there.
And that’s it, 5 for 2007. In truth, it could have been 4 this year, or maybe even 3, but you asked for 5 and these are it for me!
Missed you!!!
I do like your list. I forgot the Olibinum and Brunos. Hmm…. (starts playing with list again)
Okay I’ll probably be shot for this but one of my favorites for this year is Covet by SJP. I love this. Moving on….harder to hit a moving target….next I like Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia. Very very nice. Classy. Then I like White Jasmine & Mint by Jo Malone. I don’t have a FB of this one but I’m considering it. Something light for summers in the barn. Another one is Shiloh by Hors LÃ Monde. Everytime I wear it I wonder why I bother to wear anything else. I’m fickle I guess! Ellie by Ellie D is absolutely beautiful. And expensive. It was my birthday present. And Jessica Dunne (creator) actually emailed me to ask me how I am enjoying it! She was so nice and asked me what I liked about it. I’m sure everyone else will have much more sophisticated perfumes to share with you, but these are the new releases that I’ve enjoyed! I love reading your beautiful and fun descriptions of new frags!
Thanks, Renee! I like your picks! A couple of those are on my list right now or were close to making it!
Must they be new releases for the year or in perfume time ever? I’m thinking…..
For right now, just new releases for 2007. I think we’ll have other posts before the end of the year that will includ perfumes that are new to us, regardless of release date, though this does include re-releases!
Ok I did some thinking and lots of date checking here’s my list
WOrth Courtesean
Chanel Eau de Cologne
Estee Lauder Tuberose Gargenia private collection
Perfect Night
Miller Harris L’air de Rien
I’ve worn all of these and most are either full body worthy or really, really big decant. They have fascinated and incouraged me to poke my head out of my cache of the classics/vintages. Love them!
Happy Birthday Patty!