Hi Posse. Darling De Gabor passed me by. Released in 2016 and winner of multiple awards yet somehow I never even heard of it. It arrived as an extra with some purchases from Fragrances and Art. Just the manufacturers spray sample, no card or packaging. The company has been producing perfume since 2010. They are extracts, made by perfumer Gabriel Gabor. Bottles look freaking gorgeous. I feel like this is the kind of niche that modern niche and mass-tige goes to visit for advice.
Below is a WHOPPING note list and seriously rivals some of the 1980s kitchen sinkers. Darling De Gabor is also more than the sum of its parts. Gourmand is not what I consider my style of fragrance, though I do own a few of them. Unless you count the style of vanilla heavy ambers like Shalimar, then I’m all in. Oh yeah, I like milky fragrances too, and some candy floss, and fruits, and bakery. SHIT! Maybe I bloody down-low love gourmand. HA!
Darling De Gabor
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Ginger, Calabrian Bergamot, Saffron, Cherry, Cognac, Fig, Pink Pepper, Dried Plum
Heart: Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, Amyris, Marzipan, Vanilla, Praline, Rum, Orchid, Coffee Blossom, Jasmine, Patchouli, Tonka Bean
Base: Sandalwood, Suede, Agarwood (Oud), Ambergris, Spanish Labdanum, Benzoin, Musk
How does Darling De Gabor smell you ask? The opening is spiced sandalwood with fruity accents. A sweeter sandalwood than I’m used to. Considering the moist fruitiness and sweetness I’m surprised how manly this smells on me. Not a “masculine” fragrance, definitely unisex leaning femme but manly in quite an untraditional way. Captivating. Also, while rich and nuanced it’s no huge, break down the doors powerhouse. This is a CHANEL Les Exclusifs kind of quietly penetrative beauty. Introspective but not introverted.
Interestingly, Jin says the opening is really big. I have not felt this on my wears.
As the heart unfolds a delightfully sweet nuttiness (the seed not the crazy) moves in on the sandalwood. The sandalwood here doesn’t smell dry and desiccated or super creamy and buttery for me. It’s nutty, full of light & shade. The various fruits don’t make personal showings but they buoy the fragrance and change the way I smell sandalwood.
I think the base has some of that ubiquitous something something something. It has a familiar signature under the sandalwood making dry down more woodsy and less gourmand. Towards the end the fragrance dries out considerably.
This will make a fabulous autumn winter fragrance for those of you up north.
Did you hear of Darling De Gabor?
Portia x
I feel comforted that others though of Eva and Zsa Zsa first too. Definitely not on my radar till now but sounds very worth sampling.
I’m so dumb, the connection completely flew over my head. It’s a bummer because I loved those girls Maggiecat.
Portia xx
Dried plum makes me smile. Do they mean prunes but worry that prune aftermath is unwanted in a perfume?
This intrigues me, does it smell vintage? It reads a little bit pre-1989 Femme in the opening & mid notes.off to search for UK suppliers or shippers
HA! I dunno. That could definitely be it though.
OMG! This frag gives me the shits! HA HA HA HA HA
In that it’s got 1000 things aiming at a single scent, yes it does smell vintage but without the ass.
Portia xx
Never heard of it, Portia. Thanks for the descriptive review.
You’re welcome DinaC.
Portia xx
I’ve not heard of this but it does sound interesting and I’m always game for sampling!
Hi JenniferS,
So good to see you.
Portia xx
Yes I have and it is gorgeous. When you order from them directly, you get a ton of other stuff.
Hey Hajusuuri!
This is seriously good intel.
Thanks,
Portia xx
Hehe like Anita I assumed this was named for one of the Gabor sisters … I browsed the website and the man does seem to have a lot of knowledge/training. I’ve never heard of it even though it got some kind of “best niche” kudos on Fragrantica. This does sound great and that bottle is gorgeous, wish it were cheaper!
Ditto on the Gabor sisters.
Hey March,
If it was 2/3 the price I’d have had a bottle winging its way to me now. As it is I’m still in a quandary. There just aren’t the ready $$ anymore to spend this kind of loot on a whim.
Portia xx
Never heard of this brand. Pretty bottle though, and it does sound interesting. But I already have so much perfume and there are so many brands out there, all I can muster is an « oh, that’s interesting. » I’m not even buying samples any more. My perfume closet has a better selection than most stores. Time to be content with what I have.
Whispering…how often do I hear this from you? ?
TaraC,
I hear you on all points but I’m STILL so excited for good new stuff.
Portia xx
Heard of it? Darling, when I saw the title of your post I thought….’wayminit! I thought all the Gabors were day-ed!’ that’s how off the radar this was for me.
And I cannot even begin to parse all those notes! LOL!
But if YOU say it’s freakin’ gorgeous then I’m in!
xoxoxo
That was my immediate reaction as well. Oh well, [“Goodbye, city life!”] but I digress as I chortle. Darn, now I have to look for a sample.
HA! Poor Gabors.
Lucky us. So happy to find a new house that feels exceptional.
Portia xx
Never heard of this. Certainly sounds delectable though.
So weird,
Hardly anyone has heard of them Cinnamon.
Portia xx
I’ve never heard of it either
So weird for something so good to be off the radar completely Matty.
Portia xx
Not a word. Honestly I had no idea. Not so sure I need to either..
HA! We feeling bitchy and unwell at the same time Tom. Quite the feat.
Get well.
Portia xx