Hi Posse, Last year at a Libertine/Agence de Parfum season launch we were having to do it through ZOOM so they sent us a book and a heap of new releases. We only had an hour to get all our sniffing and first impressions. Obviously some really stood out for me (Penhaligon’s Babylon, Memo Sicilian Leather) but there were a couple that I liked but they were overwhelmed by other, more boisterous scents. I kept those samples aside to resniff at a later date, then completely forgot about them. Having done a little clean up duty in the perfume room I rediscover them and have been testing. Tanger is my standout favourite and I’d like you to share a wearing with me.
Tanger by Ormonde Jayne 2020
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Italian Mandarin, Bergamot, Ylang-Ylang
Heart: Neroli, Cashmere Wood, Rose
Base: Madagascar Vanilla, Amber, Moss, Resins
The Tanger opening is a lovely burst of citruses and Play-Doh. Do you remember the Play-Doh vanilla/amber from Art Collection #02 by Jacomo? It’s very similar in feel and character but smells more 21st century niche. I’m very surprised this isn’t a patchouli fragrance, it is so reminiscent of a few of the modern patchoulis like Fancy Nights and even DIOR Patchouli Imperial. Not EXACTLY like them but I’m reminded of them. Maybe it’s one of those ubiquitous but oft unmentioned base notes.
Most of the listed notes just don’t appear for my nose in any noticeable amounts.
One very slight problem I had with Tanger was spritzing when I already had a headache coming on. It was fairly uncomfortable. Fortunately next wear was not compromised, PHEW!
It sounds like I don’t like Tanger as I read this back. Not true. I REALLY like it. It’s not groundbreaking or definitive but it’s super comfortable and I can imagine it being a firm favourite.
Totally unisex, lasting power is very impressive and projection moderate. It’s the kind of thing I can imagine being very popular in the gym change room and think it would smell so good on a fit suit, especially at the end of the day when Tanger is just a warm, sexy, slightly salty, amber hum.
Sound good? Do you like any of the Ormonde Jayne oeuvre?
Portia xx
Thanks for mentioning Ormonde Jayne, Portia. I like all of the perfumes from the La Route de Soie collection and Tanger is among the favorites. I like the fresh spicy opening and the creamy ylang-ylang.
I don’t own any of OJ perfumes so far, but OJ Man would be my first choice and after that Isfarkand.
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I always felt as if I ‘should’ love OJ Woman. Alas, I never did. Didn’t HATE it… just didn’t adore it.
This Tanger sounds as if it would smell amazing on a man!
xoxox
Ah, see, I really do think the brand sings for some and lays like a cane toad with Dunlop disease on others.
Yes, I’ll put some on Jin and have a whiff.
Portia xx
My OJ perfume is Rose Gold. I’ve sampled and enjoyed many but this is the only bottle I own. I will read more about Tanger, sounds like up my alley. I’ve received an email that some of the OJs are being retired including the Gold Trio. Even the discounted prices are too high for blind buys. xoxo
Hey Kathleen,
So good to see you.
Yes, the prices aren’t for the faint hearted. Although they have been far eclipsed in recent times by much less quality.
Rose Gold is beautiful. I bet you smell killer in it.
Portia xx
I tried a couple of these back in the day and for some reason I didn’t leap. Probably for the best for my budget..
Yeah Tom, I think there is a real divide in who the OJs work for and who they just don’t live on.
Portia x
I love OJ Woman, and quite like some of the others. They’re pricey though! Tanger seems worth a try now though ( but not when I have a headache!)
HA! Definitely not when you have a headache MaggieCat.
Portia xx
This sounds lovely! I think I saw on FB Perfumistas that some of the older OJs are being retired, but I could be wrong … it was an ad, so if it’s true, presumably it’s on their homepage. LOL how times have changed … I’m looking at their page, seeing $225 and thinking, not bad at all!
HA! Yes, times and prices have DEFINITELY changed March. You can’t even buy a J’Adore for much less than that now.
Portia xx
Joining the crowd with love for OJ Woman – likely my next full bottle purchase. Tanger sounds good to me – I’ll try to sample. Some reviews mention sweet orange blossom, but sounds like you don’t smell it that way, Portia.
As an aside, I think you may be (almost?) the only other person I’ve heard mention Jacomo Art Collection #02. I have a bottle that I recently brought out and have been wearing regularly. I love its soft and slightly odd art/play-doh references and I love the back story. Too bad it didn’t seem to really catch on, at least here in the U.S. So happy to see you mention it!
Hey SpringPansy,
That Art Collection was a strange bunch. They were only held together by the marketing. Almost as soon as they were released they went straight to the discounters. #02 was (and is) wonderful, the others didn’t send me hardly at all.
So glad to see another lover.
Portia xx
I’m with Cinnamon. They don’t work for me either so I let the line go.
Your wallet thanks you Maya.
Portia xx
Sampled a couple…Tolu and Ta’if…but didn’t care for them at the time. Perhaps a revisit is in order. Love, love Woman though! Tanger sounds like it might be a nice try.
Another Woman lover JenniferS, It seems to be the perfumistas favourite by far.
Portia xx
l love Ormonde Woman and received a large bottle as a gift last year – set for life. I bought a travel spray set in London in 2016 and enjoy all of my choices – Ambre Royal, Tsarina, Champaca, Frangpiani – but Woman is by far my favorite.
Hey MMKinPA,
Woman is beautiful. 100% agree. Softly striking.
Portia xx
I have yet to find an OJ that really works on me. I appreciate some of them (think Woman is glorious, but not on me). This sounds really nice but not something I’d go out of my way to sample.
I get it Cinnamon,
Geza has a very particular style that either REALLY hits the spot or misses. If they were 2/3 the price I’d probably own the lot.
Portia xx
Same here! Maybe something in the base? One exception is Tiare of which I do have a bottle. Pretty and spring like.
I think I tried Tiare but can’t remember AnnieA. Now I will,
Portia xx
I haven’t explored OJ for many years
Ta’if was “my” rose until I met Lyric Woman.
Tiare is the perfect spring green but it’s not a white floral.
I adored Tolu, got a full presentation wore it maybe a handful of times then forgot it. Found it years later & in that time I’d gone back to vintage Opium which scratches that particular itch far better. Tolu was moved on to a new home.
I hope to have a sniff of the modern offerings, my nose & preferences have had more than a decade’s worth of intensive training since then.
What other OJs do you love?
Hey Alityke,
In the collection are Sampaquita, Woman, Osmanthus and now Tanger (couldn’t help myself)
Portia xx