Hey there POSSE! Le 15 by The Different Company is their 15th Anniversary Extrait strength offering. Considering the strength and the beautiful packaging I think the cost reasonable, especially when I consider the cost of some fragrances that are well inferior in every respect, or lack of it. Le 15 feels special all the way through, I have enjoyed my 3ml decant to the dregs and now am putting it in my Top 5 on the Wish List for Europe. My sample was purchased from Surrender To Chance.
I feel this would not be an unbiased and equal review if I didn’t tell you that one of my mates who has a seriously good nose and I deeply respect his opinions on fragrance said Le 15 is not all that so you may have a different experience with it than I have.
Le 15 by Alexandra Monet for The Different Company 2015
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
The Different Company gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, Petit Grain, Nutmeg.
Heart: Palo Santo accords, Cedar, Hedione.
Base: Incenses, Myrrh, Musks.
Fresh and sparkling opening, I can smell the citrus and the snap and crackle of torn leaf and cut branch that lasts only a few moments before creamy labdanum woods waltz in with some green that smells very coriander-ish and a dash of lime leaves. A very nice double layered affect of sharp green citrus and milky, figgish woods. OK, so just took a look at the notes and my guesses are far from the mark but even having read the notes I stand by my nose. It smells good.
What happens then is very interesting. Le 15 comes around to the opening citrus/herbal of a cologne, very fresh yet pithy. It’s a lovely surprise and it lasts in this phase for quite a while before hitting a resinous and smoky incense stage. The smoky and resinous incense is overlaid with woods and the whole fragrance is now a blur, a scent that reminds me of going into the church for choir practice, like the cool dim memory of all the pomp and ceremony.
Photo Stolen Wikipedia
I can so imagine this being a sensible go-to scent for people who want to smell great but unfussy, interesting without being weird. I’m not hailing Le 15 as a masterpiece of ingenuity, though it may be that also, but complimenting its beauty and ease of wear. Le 15 has a much better scent life that a lot of the ephemeral Different Company fragrances. It feels thicker and richer than their often light and airy offerings. Not as hefty as Oriental Lounge but substantial.
From The Different Company: A Limited Edition of 1500 pieces with the silkscreen printed bottles. With Le 15, Anniversary Edition, The Different Company goes back to its tradition. All details have been specifically designed ; platine print screen, silver ink label, high quality box, and yet our unique bottle designed by Thierry de Baschmakoff with cap made of solid metal. Mystic, sensual and eternal.
Photo Stolen The Different Company
Further reading: Now Smell This and BLeauOG
The Different Company has €139/50ml
Surrender To Chance has samples from $4.60/0.5ml
Does it sound like you might like it? If you have been searching for an incense that is so much more then this could be your frag.
I’m madly in love.
Portia xxx
Australian Perfume Junkies
Howdy, Portia! Wowza, this sounds good — must get over to STC and snag a sample ASAP! I need a new scent to boost my spirits and this sounds like just the thing as you’ve described it so wonderfully. Our Internet was out for almost four days and I was having major withdrawal, ha! It waited until I got the post up Sunday night then went down like a redwood, out for the count for the rest of the week.
Interesting without being weird is just my thing, Portia. I love the idea of citrus turning to smoky incense so will definitely add this to my To Try list. If you’re madly in love with it, that’s good enough for me.
Never heard of Le 15 before so thanks for the intro.
Hey there Tara,
Lovely to see you. Just read your latest post, it’s about one of my favourites: My Favourite Bottled Leather – Cuir de Lancome. (http://abottledrose.com/2016/02/03/my-favourite-bottled-leather-cuir-de-lancome/)
I think you might like LE15.
Portia xx
It’s always interesting when your nose says one thing and the note list says another. I like to stick with what my nose tells me too.
Hey Poodle,
Yeah, my nose is sometimes wonky but what I smell is what my brain smells. I give it the benefit of the doubt too.
Thanks for dropping by, always nice to see you.
Portia xx
It sounds delightful, Portia. I’m always inclined to follow a filthy great drag queen down the rabbit hole. I’m adding this to my list!
Hey Ladona,
Happy to have you along.
Portia xx