I always feel like cheering when I see perfumers innovate, experiment, challenge themselves, or do anything that’s “out of the box.” So when I heard about Andy Tauer’s Pentachords — three fragrances, each containing five notes and each note a single molecule — I thought, “How cool is that?” But somehow life got in the way, as it often does, and I never got around to sampling.
So recently when I was offered the opportunity to try them, I jumped at the chance, as odds were that I’d end up loving at least one. Anyway, here are my impressions of each; as always, your mileage may vary.
Verdant strikes me as sharing a similar orbit with Ormonde Jayne Woman — in spirit, not actual chemistry. This Pentachord is not your bright, sunny “Sound of Music” meadow kind of green, but more of a darkly lush forest primeval, I’d say. Like something out of a fairy tale, with a hint of danger lurking just beyond the surface beauty. At first spray, its intense chord of leaves and earth arrives with a slight underpinning of mint, at least on my skin, although not sure where that’s coming from. Perhaps it’s part of its forest floor aura — a carpet of moist, dark soil and moss-covered stones, or maybe one of the rich, vegetal scents you might find deep in a garden. The dark green then softens and yields to the leather, amber and tobacco, which round out the scent nicely and add subtle nuances. If Mother Nature wore a fragrance, this easily could be it.
As Patty noted a while back, White does indeed have a cashmere-like feel to it. In the opening, I barely get any orris as my oddball skin seems to amp the violet intensely. But after a bit, the vanilla, ambergris and wood come into their own and smooth the composition into a creamy, almost powdery softness. This is a dreamy, wrap-yourself-up-in-it scent that’s a bit cuddly, comforting, but not cloying. Sounds especially appealing on a chilly day (or night).
Last but not least is Auburn. Upon first whiff, what should pop into my head but L’Artisan’s Nuit de Tubereuse. No, they don’t smell alike, but both struck me as having that moment when your eyes open wide as you encounter something totally unexpected. Auburn’s bright citrus tinged with cinnamon is tantalizing and mouth-watering without veering into gourmand territory, no easy feat. This cinnamon is not the bold blast of Red Hots candy, but softer and more muted, mature even. Perhaps not immediately recognizable as the spice if you didn’t know that’s what it was or hadn’t seen the notes. The original burst softens as the tobacco, amber and sandalwood come into play; they tone down the “shine” from the opening but still allow it to linger softly throughout. From there it cruises into a long-lasting warm radiance that I can only call “scrumptious” as I sniff my wrist repeatedly. I could definitely see myself wearing this happily, if, as they say, a bottle fell from the sky and into my lap.
I’m going to share samples of these with one lucky commenter. To enter, tell me what’s your favorite Tauer, or if you don’t have one yet, what sounds like it would be the one for you?
My favorite up to now would be Lonestar Memories but am looking forward to try Miriam as well.
have a lovely day.
:)
I think White would be good for me!
Nicole Carter
raventally30@aol.com
My fav is Carillon pour un Ange and the second is L’Air du Desert Marocain, but none of his perfume is bad. I like them all except Zeta. I tried it several times to give it a chance but I feel nausious when I put it on. The perfume is great but I seem to have a reaction to some ingredient.
I adore L’AdDM and made the mistake of introducing my mother to it. She is a Big Spritzer; during the visit where she was stealing – uh – borrowing from my decant, she did her thing right before we got in the car to go to a Vivaldi gig. I kept telling myself this wouldn’t ruin it for me – not sure about the people sitting around us in the concert hall! I did get her her own decant after that. It’s taken me a while (read: 2 years) but now I can sniff it from my bottle and not get a blinding flashback headache… and it sounds as if these new Pentachords would be lovely. Please do enter me in the draw, and thanks!
The new three sound fantastic! Would love to be entered in the draw, thank you! From all I’ve heard, L’Air du Desert Marocain seems like it would be amazing, but alas, I’ve not yet tried it…
I love Andy’s work but I don’t yet have a favorite. I still haven’t tried some of the newer releases. Every review of Green makes me want it more. It could be the one. Pretty please enter me in the draw.
Lonestar Memories!
I haven’t tried any of the Tauer perfumes, but Pentachords Verdant sounds intriguing.
My favorite Tauer perfume would have to be his limited edition Orris. Please enter me in the drawing as well.
I’m afraid I couldn’t disagree more with your take on these new offerings from Andy. He is a great perfumer, I love many of his fragrances on me and my partner. These synthethics smell exactly like synthetics and worse verdant smells like toilet cleaner! Because Andy is such a lovely guy and has produced some of my favourite perfumes doesn’t mean that everything he produces henceforth is “just wonderful”. Needless to say I don’t need any more samples!!
Hi, my favorite Tauer would have to be Le Maroc pour Elle because that is the only one I’ve ever sampled, but Orris and Rose Incense call to me. I hope I’m not to late to be included. Thank you for the reviews.
I hope I’m not too late! I’ve been traveling and am always so happy to come back to my collection and posts on PP!
My favorite Tauer is Incense Rose, but I am just cookoo for that bottle of Une Rose Vermeille. I haven’t smelled the fragrance but I adore his photos. I think it’s the best looking bottle I’ve ever seen.
Oh, I would love to try this. My favorite Tauer is Lonestar Memories, which I love, love love. Thank you!
Thank you. I would love to try the new White with vanilla and ambergris.
I love Orange Star and would love to be entered. :)
Une Rose Chypree for me. With L’Air du Desert Marocain a close second. I want to love the others more than I actually do.
Wow, what a great draw, please enter me! My favorite Tauer – and in my top 10 of all time by anyone – is L’Air du Desert Marocain. Also love URC, Le Maroc and Un Carillou pour un Ange, oh heck, all of them I have tried so far!
I expect I will like Verdant the best, but all of the Pentachords sound good!
I like L’air du Desert Marocain but my cat’s name is Zeta…I haven’t tried it yet but I bet it will be love.
The only Tauer I have tried is the Zeta. I would love to try the Pentachords, Auburn probably would be the one I would like.
My favorite Tauer as well, is l’air du desert marocain. This is so popular for a reason,, it’s a work of art! Thanks so much for the draw. :)
Thanks so much for such evocative descriptions. They heaved me into the cave and I will look for the TPC October special to order samples. My previous favorite was the poetic complex amber and benjoin in l’Air du desert marocain. These three could usurp that because together they remind me of The Sound and the Fury with Verdant as Benjy, White as Quentin and Auburn as Caddy. Actually, they are all descriptions of Caddy and I’ve got to smell them, soon, got to.
Verdant. If it’s remotely similar to Ormonde Woman, I have to try it. Ormonde is my default, go-to, absolute favorite scent.
I’m with the gang – L’air du Desert Marocain is my favorite, followed closely by Le Maroc pour Elle.
The Verdant sounds fabulous, as I own and love OJ Woman, but would definitely be interested in a scent that seemed like its darker, more mysterious twin.
Hi Lisa, not to disappoint in any way, as Verdant is great, but it didn’t strike me necessarily as being any darker or mysterious than OJ Woman, which to me has chypre-ish undertones.
The two just share that not-quite-so-sunny green spirit.
I am new to perfume and love your blog (AND your circle of commentators)! Everyone seems to think very highly of the Tauer line–Verdant sounds like the one for me.
Cheers – KMc
Lonestar Memories (on my husband) is my favorite Tauer! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Nice lemming invoking review Ann!
My favourite has to be L’air du Desert Marocain, but I don’t wear it often as it’s such a powerhouse.
All of these Pentachords sound amazing, but since I’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors in mossy forests, peat-land, and on piney mountain-sides lately, Verdant is really speaking to me.
Please enter me in the draw, thanks!
x
I’m a Lonestar Memories fan – I think smelling it was one of my first “niche” perfume experiences – it was a real shock! I’d love to become familiar with more of the scents.
I have never smelled any fragrances by Tauer and would love to. Verdant sounds especially interesting. Please enter me in the drawing.
I would love, love, love to try Andy’s new trio! My favourite perfume from the lovely Mr.Tauer is without doubt his precious Orris: a deep purple, leather-incense perfume with that unmistakable Tauer accord underpinning the rootiness of the Orris. Sigh. Next up would be Marocain, happily still in production!
I am really falling behind on the Tauers, and still haven’t smelled the last half dozen or so, but my favourite of those I have tried remains Lonestar Memories.
L’air du Desert Marocain is my favorite so far, but I am anxious to try Verdant and Auburn. Auburn is my hair color of choice (thank you L’Oreal) and am am drawn to anything that resembles that. Anyway, enter me in the drawing!
I would like to sample all Tauer’s work! I smelled L’air du désert
a while ago and liked it, but my hypothetical favourite in the line would be ZETA! Tauer’s pentachord experiment sounds fantastic!
My favourite is Lonestar Memories. I know no other perfume which is so fascinating hour after hour. Every time I take a fresh sniff some new element seems to appear. Looking for a green and I have high hopes for Verdant.
I was lucky enough recently to get my hands on a small sample of Miriam. I have never smelled any other Tauer scents, so by default Miriam is my favorite, but I’d be surprised if I could love any other of his fragrances more than this one! It is absolutely wonderful and I can’t stop smelling it. :-)
So far, my fav is is Zeta and Rose Chypree.
This pentachords sounds so intriguing…
I’m a big fan of Tauer, and own several. Carillon pour une Ange is my hands down favorite. What a complete dream, just perfect.
I also own Incense Rose, Une Rose Chypree and LADDM (which I don’t really love), and would love to get my hands on La Maroc pour Elle and maybe Zeta…
White sounds like my thing. Auburn and Verdant, not-so-much. (I’m lusting after Miriam right now, to be honest.)
It’s funny – the Tauers I’ve tried REALLY WORK for me, or they REALLY DON’T. The ones I like: Une Rose Chypree, Une Rose Vermeille, L’Eau d’Epices, Carillon pour une Ange, and Le Maroc pour Elle. The ones that tried to killlll me: Orange Star, Incense Rose, Reverie au Jardin, and Zeta. Dear Lord, the carnage from Orange Star… ugh.
“the carnage from Orange Star….ugh” Exactly. And I bought a full bottle unsniffed. Ugh. I use it under some powerhouse like Carnal Flower to entertain myself in gruesome weather.
Le Maroc pour Elle for lovely sweet rollin’ in the deep middle aged thunder.
I love the idea of a non-candy cinnamon…
Of what I’ve tried so far Incense Rose and Une Rose Chypre are on my MUST BUY FULL BOTTLE list .I suspect I’d like Orange Star too but my ordered sample from LS was changed (they may have been out)to Incense Extreme.
I’d love to try these.I think that Auburn sounds the best but Verdant is only behind by a hair.
Thanks for having the sample giveaway!
Hi, Ann,
::sits a little straighter in chair::
So, the verdant is a green from the forest primeval? Oddly, OJ Woman is a little too “happy” to make me think that, though I swoon whenever I read copy that suggests so. (Ms. March up there is one of the culprits in my insisting on trying it over and over again, though whenever I think of her take on it, I picture Vivien Leigh as Scarlett in those blasted curtains. :0 )
I think my favorite Tauer might be Reverie au Jardin. I can’t help it; it plays like a quietly but clearly developing rooty iris…only it’s lavender…there’s a trick to applying just the right amount, though, in order to fully “see” it. Am also a fan of Un Rose Chypree and Vetiver Dance. I also love to play with Desert Morocain and Maroc Pour Elle, even if they are not part of my crew, as it were.
I find OJ woman little too cozy and happy too (and not green and mysterious enough) AND my favorite Tauer is reverie..:)
Hey!! That’s an easy “come sit by me,” then. :)
What an interesting concept in fragrance! The “Auburn” sounds
like me because of the spice and citrus notes…
Many thanks to you!
Cindi
favorite would be L’Air du Desert Marocain. I’d love to try the Pentachords. Thanks for the chance.
I love Eau D’epices. And Rose Chypre. But I would also love to try these.
Ooh, not easy to pick a favorite, as I wear Incense Rosé, LADDM, Le Maroc pour Elle and Une Rose Chyprée. It kind of depends on my mood, but since you’re asking on a beautiful fall day….I’ll pick Une Rose Chyprée.
I’d have to say L’Air du Desert Marocain from the sample I got. I love how his concoctions can be so simply put together, yet result in such complex and yummy frags. I’m a cashmere girl on cold chilly days, so the white sounds interesting in that regard. But since my go-to perfume in the fall is Ormonde Jayne Woman (wearing it today!) the Verdant sounds especially intriguing!
Thanks for entering me in the contest, Ann!
I really like Vetiver Dance. These sound very interesting…please enter me in the draw! Thank you…lovely post.
I would LOVE the opportunity to try these. My favorite Tauer is (and I sadly think I’m alone on this….) Reverie au jardin -I just love what he did with lavender, oakmoss, vanilla and ceder….so bright, nuanced and dreamy.
My favorite so far is Le Maroc Pour Elle. I would love to try the Pentachords! Thanks.
Verdant sounds lovely..Woman reminded me of RaJ, though have’nt tried them side by side.
My favoriteTauer would be RaJ..
White sound lovely too..This was such an interesting project..I love the way Andy innovates..
Enjoy the Orange Star,and the Inscense Rose….would LOVE to try these!!!