Spritzed Reviewed; 2023 Newbies Grabbed At Random

Heya Posse, Here are some decants from Surrender To Chance that have been sitting here awaiting reviewing. I liked them all a lot but other things keep getting written about instead. So rather than leave them for some far off imagined future where I have more writing spaces and time to fill them I thought you’d all like some mid length Spritzed Reviewed. It will also get them off my desk. Win win.

In other news my study is going well. As well as can be expected anyway from someone who hasn’t studied anything online before and who hasn’t studied period since the 1980s. I’m about 1/3 of the way through to becoming qualified to become a celebrant. It’s taking about 20-30 hours a week and I’m finding focus hard to achieve, especially ion the 30+ minute videos. The routine is interesting, I thought I’d hate the structure (and there are days I do) but in. reality it’s quite soothing to work to a timetable. There’s a weird zen to it.

Spritzed Reviewed; 2023 Newbies Grabbed At Random

I’m not going to give note lists here, just the way I experienced them and what I felt my nose was smelling. I’ll look after I write and tell you if I’m very far off the mark.

Absolu Aventus by Creed 2023

Citrus and woods in the style of one of the L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme flankers. There is correlation to the original Aventus but it’s not just a richer version. In fact it’s much more citrus pith. The base seems like very green woods, freshly cut and some torn leaf, like camellia. For those hard core fans of Aventus this will be a departure. I really like it but wish there was some smoke or incense and it’s nothing new. Very nicely done but far from groundbreaking.
HA! Well, I’m dead wrong. There is ginger, patchouli and vetiver. Maybe I can smell ginger now it’s been pointed out but the others? Nope.

Apothéose by Oriza L. Legrand 2023

WOW! Aldehydes jump off the skin on a bedc of sharp citrus. Apothéose has some definite CHANEL vibes but starker, darker and less low key. Flowers, can’t quite get a hold other than bouquet but maybe geranium or something sharp? I’m thinking a pink pepper or lime could be adding zing but also it could still be the aldehydes. Base is a soft powdery melange that seems reminiscent of older CHANEL No 22 but without the searing headache that gives me. I can imagine wearing Apothéose for events.
HA HA! Wrong again. Eucalyptus?!? There is nothing in this perfume that smells anything like the eucalyptus I wander amongst every day. Ylang, maybe but not a big player.

Blend No.83 by Imaginary Authors 2023

A heavily spiced Espresso Martini. So luscious and dark. I’m really surprised that tobacco isn’t a featured note, or amber, or sandalwood now that I’m thinking. Blend No.83 is so immediate, unfettered and smells impulsive. I applaud the fragrance but can’t imagine myself wanting to smell like it for any real amount of time or for a particular event. It’s gorgeous and beautifully handled but not for me. This is the sort of fragrance I love to put on a blotter and hand around at a perfumista meet up.

Iris Pallida Extrait 6 by Guerlain 2023

Here in Australia these 50ml bottles cost AU$900. It’s so much money that it really makes me smell with a much more critical nose. Having said that, had Guerlain done a 7ml dab bottle and packaged it beautifully like the old Shalimar flip top presentations then I’d probably not have blinked at $200-250.
Iris Pallida Extrait 6 is lovely. A lipstick vibe with cool carroty overtones and doughy wet cardboard depths. The heart is delightfully rooty and there are fresh cracked almond shells. Does anyone else get nougat? I will never own a bottle of Iris Pallida Extrait 6 but I am CRAVING it deeply.

Thanks for coming along on this wild Spritzed Reviewed. I hope there is something that sounds good to you here. They all smell very good to me.

Portia xx