Le Labo Gaiac 10 – we are on a roll now

First, if you haven’t seen Slumdog Millionaire, just go see it and don’t ask questions.  Despite the scenes of abject poverty and horror that litter the movie, it is ultimately about hope when there should be none. It is funny and touching.

Le Labo is rolling this year.  I’ve fallen in love with all of their new city exclusive scents so far, each different, umnique and beautifully made.  Gaiac 10 is the latest to cross my doorstep.  Created by Annick Menardo with notes of gaiac, cedar, musk and olibanum.  Peppy and happy on the open, it sifts down into woody incense that is like settling into your favorite woods where you have always been at home and happy.  I gave one spritz of this on my neck Sunday when we went to the symphony, and that tiny spritz lasted all day, all night and was still going strong on Monday morning until I hit the showers, enveloping me in lush smelly comfort.  It feels, I don’t know, authentic?  It doesn’t veer off into churchy like the woody incense of Armani’s Bois d’Encens or a couple of the CdG incense series. It’s slightly milky maybe.  There’s a smoothness to the wood that makes it feel like polished, beautiful wood, impossibly elegant, but warm and snuggly. 

I’m not sure who is handing out the sketches for the three scents Le Labo came up with this year, but they have done an outstanding job of giving the perfumers plenty of room to create three memorable scents.  Hard to get?  Too much so.    I do hope at some point they will at least make all of these available for a limited time once a year, and then everyone could be a lot poorer, but happily smelling beautiful.

Let’s do another drawing today to get a sample of this into one of our commeter’s hands. Just leave a comment, and I’ll draw out the winner on Thursday.

  • Julie says:

    Oh! I would LOVE this sample!!

  • Pikake says:

    Just figured out the answer to my 3rd question. Finally noticed the pics at the bottom of the posts.:o

  • Pikake says:

    Patty,
    I am curious about two things. Does Gaiac 10 bear any resemblance to CdG Hinoki (I am in love w/ this right now) and how musky is it? I cannot do overly musky frags. If it leans white musk or skin musk, I can’t go near it.

    Also, how can the reader tell who the author is of the original post? (I guess I am curious about 3 things):- How can I tell if you wrote it, or March did, etc?

  • Jemimagold says:

    I would love to try this! Please enter me in the drawing. TY!

  • jonathan says:

    Please include me!

  • smy says:

    Sounds lovely! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

  • maggi says:

    Yes! slumdog millionaire is great. Please enter me in the drawing.

  • EnKei says:

    🙂

    Count me in on the draw

    Thanks

  • Maura says:

    Would love to try this if I’m not too late!! I love her work…Bois d’Armenie, Patchouli 24… 😡

  • London says:

    I would love to be in the draw as well if it’s not too late. Thank you so much.

  • Janet in California says:

    I would love to be in the draw. I could bathe in the Poivre and the Gaiac sounds even better. I hope Santa gets my letter.

  • zeram1 says:

    Please enter me into the drawing as well.
    So were you finally able to get a whole bottle from Japan?

  • snowcrocus says:

    I never thought a movie based on “Who wants to be a millionaire?” would be the next art-house classic. Sign me up!

  • Tante Kat says:

    Pretty please, enter me for the drawing, it sounds so beautiful 🙂 Thanks!

  • billy d says:

    Of course, this is the one that sounds the best to me!! please enter me in the drawing!

  • Divalano says:

    Perhaps it’s the chaos level of the last couple of days (today started at 4:30 AM with cat gak sounds from the foot of the bed) creating a need for serenity but your description sounds achingly peaceful & soothing. Please do include me in the draw.

  • tmp00 says:

    As usual, a big Grrr that you can’t get these easily. A Grrr tempered by looking at my checkbook. :((

  • RandiLou says:

    I’m really enjoying your descriptions and reviews, which I came across while searching for a new scent to warm me on these dark winter days. Please enter me in the drawing, this scent sounds lovely.

  • Natalie says:

    Woody incense? Count me in, pretty please, and thank you for another great review!

  • Nancy says:

    Lovely, lovely, lovely reviews. on the movie AND Le LABO. I rarely go to the movies anymore because instead of feel good entertainment it’s become so doom and gloom. Love movies w/hope. Fireproof was such a movie too. And Le Labo . . . the milky aspect of the woods and incense is dreamy. Please enter me in the drawing. You have been so instrumental in teaching me about the art and downright enjoyment of smelling so good! Thank you.:x

  • hollyb says:

    Please enter me in the drawing!

  • LindaB says:

    Hello there-
    I just love incense and woods and would appreciate being entered into the drawing.
    I am just 6 weeks pregnant with my second and everything smells so “off”. Interestingly enough, I am only able to wear heavier scents–the light, fruity, clean ones are killing me.

    Thanks!!!

  • Christine says:

    Hey Pats,
    The S.O. and I loved Slumdog Millionaire, although watching it in our ritzy theater surrounded by older women in fur coats was a bit surreal. Normally it’s just us and the hipster kids, but I guess the word got out to the very rich among us in Philly that the movie was great.

    Do enter me for the drawing and if I don’t comment before then, you have yourselves a great Christmas.

  • Mellisu says:

    I’m looking for my HG wood – this sounds like it might be it. Please enter me in the drawing.

  • annie says:

    8-|OH,OH,OH….How I do love woody scents….my list grows every time I read your ‘musings/insights’….Please do enter me in your drawing…smooches to you-all!!:x

  • Christina Hovland says:

    Please enter me in the drawing! Cozy, milky woods is right up my alley! I’m alread in love with Poivre 23, what’s another $$$ hyper-exclusive lemming?

  • Tara says:

    It sounds wonderful, please enter me in the drawing! How does it compare to the Micallef Gaiac new scent?

  • Suzanne says:

    The whole exclusive thing is beyond annoying, but the scents sound so good! Please enter me in the drawing.

  • Lora says:

    This one sounds right up my alley – please enter me in the draw!

  • KarenG says:

    Hmmm..I suppose it’s about time I tried some of the Le Labos. Up until now their silly city exclusivity has really annoyed me, but the last two releases sound pretty nice.

    Thanks for throwing me in the draw! And thanks for reminding me that I want to see Slumdog Millionaires.

  • dleep says:

    Slumdog Millionaire received an excellent review in our local newspaper – can’t wait to see it. The perfume sounds lovely and I would love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks!

  • Goose says:

    Sounds very interesting! Le Labo keeps putting them out at high speed but they all get rather good reviews… which is rare these days 🙂 Then again, Annick is very talented. Please enter me in the drawing too.

  • Hänni says:

    Ooh I would love this sample!

  • rachaelg says:

    this sounds beautiful for winter, I’d love the chance to try it!

  • Pamster says:

    Oh that scent sounds so absolutely PERFECT!!! Please please enter me in the drawing!

  • Emily says:

    I would love to be entered in the drawing, thanks!

  • ducdauge says:

    The city exclusives all sound so great… but the concept is starting to annoy me. Twice the price at twice the efforts to put in place if you want to sniff the fragrance…
    Luckily there is your blog ;)… and the draw! I’m in!

  • Anthony says:

    I’d love to be entered, Patty… Thank you!

  • Tara Mansfield says:

    This is amazing I have been trying to figure out a way to get a sample of Gaiac 10 without traveling to Japan. I hope I win!

    Thanks for this great opportuntity!

  • Catherine says:

    Dear Patty–the scent sounds marvelous. Anything that hits you that powerfully is something to take note of. I would love to be in the drawing for a sample. And I hope to see that film sometime soon.

  • Samantha Lowry says:

    The perfume sounds great..I’d love to be entered in the drawing, please. I can’t wait to see Slumdog Millionaire, I love Danny Boyle’s movies. Has anyone else noticed that he and Morrissey could be twins??

  • aelily says:

    Nooo! Not another wonderful Le Labo that I can’t afford and can’t find. I have loved all of the city exclusive so far…this is not good for by budget! 🙂

  • helenviolette says:

    Can’t wait to see that film…doesn’t open here until the 19th. Was really hoping the Tokyo exclusive wasn’t going to be such a winner (damn…and please enter me!)

  • rebella says:

    Please enter me in the draw. :”>

  • noyna says:

    Sounds absolutely divine, and perfectly for the winter, too…please enter me into the drawing!

  • Sara says:

    I would love to try this one–thanks for entering me into the drawing! I recommend Slumdog Millionaire too! cheers!

  • Ben A says:

    Please enter me in the drawing!

  • Nancy says:

    Please enter me in the drawing. Am fairly new to all this which makes me an eager student and waving hand frantically to be called on. Pardon my enthusiasm.

  • monkeytoe says:

    Sounds lovely–I have been eagerly awaiting this one. Please enter me in the drawing.

  • Shelley says:

    Woods! Sounds potentially happy place for me…but don’t put me in the draw; I’m a-waiting for that wunnerful violet sample to land on my doorstep, and wish to share the sample love.

    But come on over for tea and let me take a hit on your waft….

  • ambreroux says:

    Please enter me in the draw!
    I would love to be able to try this one: Tokyo seems a bit far for a perfume-shopping detour.

  • pyramus says:

    I’ve never tried any of the Le Labo scents, but all of a sudden it seems as if they’re making some really wonderful things, what with the Poivre and now this. So, enter me in the draw, please.

    • Patty says:

      They are doing some very cool things with the city exclusives. I wish they’d bring out something new in their regular line! I really love a couple of their regular scents, but they’ve done an outstanding job on the city exclusives. If they would ever bring those in for regular distribution, they’d make a killing.

  • KathyT says:

    This one sounds wonderful! Please enter me into the drawing.

    Thanks

  • Judith says:

    Hi to you all! I miss you! I really want to see that movie (along with Milk, and Synecdoche, NY). Le Labo is killing me, but I’d like to be entered in the drawing. Have you tried the Indult Reve en Cuir yet? Verrrry curious about that one.

  • Erin T says:

    Ah, the time of year when I want to see everything: Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Frost/Nixon….

    Please enter me in the draw! Thanks.

    • Shelley says:

      Yup. I’ve made a solemn vow to see no less than 4 movies by the end of the holiday break, though my secret goal is much higher.

      • Erin T / Tigs says:

        I feel like I should really want to see Revolutionary Road: *love* Richard Yates, love DiCaprio (still! despite all the teenyboppers!) and love to watch Winslet. Somehow I feel as if it will all go wrong, though. Revolutionary Road just doesn’t seem like movie material. I’m pinning my hopes on DiCaprio, who apparently actually *reads* and hopefully won’t let them bungle the novel’s grimness.

  • Silvia says:

    Ticks all the boxes, as I had hoped. Please include me in the draw, many thanks.

  • zazie33 says:

    Would love to try all of the city exclusives, but this one in particular: I love woody scents.
    Please enter me in the draw!!

  • Erica says:

    O yum! Please enter me into the draw, I love incense! :d

  • Kelly says:

    Darn Le Labo! Please count me in.

  • hvs says:

    Please enter me in the drawing! Would love to try it as I adore Micallef Gaiac. And plan to see the movie while I’m stateside. Can’t wait for it to come to Europe…

  • Louise says:

    Dang, I think I’m sunk on this one. Please throw me in the draw
    :)>-

  • maitreyi1978 says:

    Please enter me in the drawing. The movie sounds interesting.

  • elve says:

    Enter me in the drawing plase 🙂

  • dinazad says:

    Gaiac done by Annick Menardo? Swoooooon. Please enter me in the drawing!

  • Roland says:

    Nice review. I love most of the Le Labo that I’ve tried. I’d love to be in on the drawing!

  • MattS says:

    I never wanted to like this line; they just work my nerves a little bit. Then I smelled Patch 24. Now I’ve read reviews for all these new city exclusives. Maybe I need to travel more…

    • Patty says:

      I am really annoying by the whole thing. At least Colette and the BArneys in Dallas will ship their exclusives.

      Tokyo is a lot harder to get things from.

      • aelily says:

        Colette will ship? How am I just finding out about this? Do they have an SA who speaks English (because they don’t want to hear my attempts at French :”> )?

  • Eva says:

    Patty, have I told y’all how much I love this site?? <:-p Well I do, I do. You guys at the Posse are the best!! This is my special little party I have each day, with coffee in hand. Thanks for the film recommendation. And can I please be included in the draw. :d Perfume sounds just gorgeous. Thank you.

    • Patty says:

      Oh, thank you, Eva!!! We love you too.

      We try to weigh in with an opinion on everything. March has so much more of that crafty thing going on than I do. I can’t believe I was this close to running down window stencils this last weekend. I must stop reading her posts when she’s talking about crafty things that I know I’m not good at.

  • carmencanada says:

    Oh dear, another Le Labo city exclusive? These sure are a bunch of frustratingly contrarian people… Love Menardo and love Gaiac wood. Which city is it exclusive for, so I’ll know who to beg to filch a sample for me, if (as is likely), I don’t win this draw?
    Please include me, dear!

  • Masha says:

    Sounds lovely and totally unobtainable. How does it compare in scent to Barbara Bui (not at all churchy), Nu (cold neon incense), and the Tauer incense twins? I love anything with incense, so please enter me in the drawing. Happy Holidays!

    • Patty says:

      It isn’t churchy at all, and it’s much more woody with the incense being the backdrop. Not like Bui or the Tauers to my nose. It’s probably closer to Bois d’Armenie, but not with any of the Guerlain feel to it.

  • lily says:

    That sounds amazing, I’d love to be entered! I can’t wait to see Slumdog Millionaire but I work way too much!!

    I love your site, I read it all the time, I just haven’t gotten up the courage to comment since I’m so new to fragrances!

  • Rachel says:

    Enter me too, please!

  • Arwen says:

    This perfume sounds delicious. I love olibanum and woods. Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to try it!

  • dea says:

    Yes! I believe this person also made Guerlain’s Bois d’Armenie… which I love. This one’s on my sampling wishlist- please enter me into the drawing. Thanks so much~~ dea

  • violetnoir says:

    Great movie! We loved it. And, the end sequence was adorable.

    Saw Milk, too. Amazing archival, historic footage laced into the film, as well as a spectacular performance by Sean Penn.

    Oh, and please…enter me in the drawing, too, my dear.

    Looks like the movie business, and the perfume business, are saving the best for year’s end.

    Hugs!

    • Patty says:

      I know! Great movies, great perfumes. My desk right now is littered with some really great samples that I’m in love with. Id id also get some of the 2 busy to bees. What interesting perfumes! I’m not sure i’m completely in the Luca “Masterpiece” camp on any of them, but they are intriguing.

      There are like 10 movies I need to see in December. I can’t tell you the last time I wanted to even see two movies at the end of the year. Milk is one, Doubt, REvolutionary Road, Seven Pounds, Benjamine Button, Marley and Me, and a couple more.

  • Musette says:

    Slumdog Millionaire sounds, from all accounts, like a worthwhile film. Will see.

    Love the incense – this sounds like one I’d adore. would love to be in the draw.

    xo>-)

    • Patty says:

      You know what I liked best about it? It is a worthwhile film, but not in that documentary, eat your peas, they’re good for your kind of way. It completely entertained and enchanted me.

  • Melissa says:

    I certainly haven’t tried as many of the exclusives as you have, but each one that I have tried has been fantastic in its own way. Cherishing my little decant of Poivre and hoping to get decants of some of the others. So please enter me into the drawing.

    As for the movie, I just read a review and it sounded wonderful. A bit of hope amidst horror sounds, well, maybe not uplifting, but something akin to spiritual at least. Sounds like a must see.

    • Patty says:

      I really wish the city exclusives weren’t that good. The only one I haven’t been smitten with is the NYC Tuberuese, but I know a lot of people that really love it.

      You know, it was uplifting. Even in the poverty, the movie portrayed the people as people and not just raggedy orphans. It just had this gentle hope. A beautiful movie and what movies are about when it is at its best.

  • Francesca says:

    Yum, woodsy incense. Count me in too, please.
    Slumdog Millionaire was great. I was astonished to learn that the young lead, Dev Patel, was only 17 when he made the film.

    • Patty says:

      He was great in that movie, they all were. I love movies that take me away to somewhere I’ve never been and see life, even just a little of it. I want to go see it again!

  • Mindy says:

    I’m still trying to educate myself on fragrances, but it’s so gosh darned expensive. I’d love to win.

  • Elizabeth says:

    I am dying to see that movie. And it’s been about four years since I’ve been in a theater(!!!), so maybe I’ll get out this weekend.

    Please enter me in the drawing for Gaiac 10 – woods and incense are justs my cup of tea!

    • Patty says:

      It is well worth breaking your four-year hiatus from theaters to see it. And don’t do what my kids did, making me leave at the end during the cool dance scene during the credits!!!