Hiya Posse! A Drop d’Issey (From here A Drop dIssey because of SEO crap) completely passed me by. I thought it was a new release, then noticed there were already two flankers beside it with almost identical packaging. I don’t remember there being much chit chat on the scentbloggosphere about it. To be fair though my reader is very small nowadays. Now it’s at nine blogs. It seems the dozens and dozens I’d read every night have all floundered, redirected or stopped writing. I’ve not kept up with the trend to watch perfume content on the socials. I can’t seem to find anyone who does their videos in two minutes and is not just sounding like a pay per adspeak shill.
Sure, I know my focus is on things I like and appreciate. While I enjoy the differences and impact of most things I review, not everything written about is THE BEST THING EVER!
Having said that, A Drop dIssey just might be one of those that could be.
The first thing you’ll note is the very cool bottle. I do love an all in one, no cap, bottle. My first was YSL Jazz and it always felt like the perfect way to present perfume. Excellent for gym bags and travel. Never having to worry about the cap is a minor but important thing to me.
A Drop d’Issey by Issey Miyake 2021
Issey Miyake gives these featured accords:
Top: Damask rose
Heart: Llilac, orange blossom, almond milk
Base: Musk, cedarwood, vanillin
Based on the dream of a lilac and using no part of the lilac. A Drop dIssey is so interesting. It’s a dewy floral, fresh and clean to open.
One of my dearly departed girlfriends Francesca and I were in Paris together a few years ago and we came across a park with a row of lilacs in full bloom. We could smell them long before we could see them. As we finally discovered, the lilac scent changes as you near the flower. From far away it’s an alluring white floral but a funky one. The same clarity as jasmine but a far removed, funkier and more layered version. Moving closer it has becomes more animalic and has a real milkiness. Then putting our heads into the inflorescences we were swooning with pleasure. It’s both feather and fur soft and yet sharply green at the same time. Darker than hyacinth but not nearly as feral as narcissus.
A Drop dIssey captures this extraordinary wander towards flowering lilac as perfectly as it can without being a Demeter style reconstruction. There is still room for this to be a fine fragrance creation, a dream of lilacs. It’s like that perfect afternoon with Francesca. This was the last time we would spend time together in real life. So A Drop dIssey hits on both a perfume level and as the memory scent I never knew I needed.
Almond milk, dewy, animalic florals, lightly spiced and a vanilla/amber dry down with snatches of salty coastal breezes and whiffs of rice cooker steam. It’s freaking amazing.
How is A Drop dIssey not a major perfumista hit? So fabulously weird.
A Drop dIssey is utterly unisex, lasts beautifully. Very fragrant for the first hour or so and settles into a lovely soft wash of scent that is noticeable but I’m thinking would be totally office friendly.
There’s also that smell of rice in the pressure cooker blended through. GAH! You must try this.
Do you feel like A Drop dIssey might fit your bill?
Portia xx
Perfume Love for Everyone!
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Lilac is so difficult to create in fragrance. En Passant, too cold & wan. I did have Aerin Lilac Path but sold it on. It was one dimensional. I had A Drop on my list to test.
Are small bottles still counted as large samples?
I agree on En Passant. It was a disappointment. Never tried the Aerin. I’ll go yes to your question. lol. The place that I found with samples had nothing else I wanted right now and shipping would have cost more than the sample.
HA! Alityke, at the small cost for the small bottle on the discounters right now: YES! Hope you love it as I do.
Portia xx
Your review makes me so want to try it. Will look for it. Thanks, Portia.
You’re welcome Pam. It’s SO cheap online now, it makes me think it’s not long for this world.
Portia xx
Imo, this is PERSACKLY how lilac smells irl! I love sneaking up on it, as it were. And I absolutely adore the scent wafting on the air.
And yes! This sounds like a perfume to try!!!
Heya Musette,
If you ever get your sniff on A Drop d’Issey I’d love to read your thoughts.
Portia xx
Portia,
Loved your breakdown of how lilacs smell as you approach them closer and closer! How cool that this scent actually captures those nuances. Since our spring is hopefully on the way, this would be a good time to search around for it. I think I would enjoy this “weird” one.
Hey DinaC,
A Drop d’Issey is a very approachable weirdo. Especially for us perfumistas. I’m thinking it might have been a couple of steps too far for the general population.
Portia xx
It’s fitting my bill..
O M G! I can imagine you wafting this in the streets of LA Tom.
Portia xx
Whoa whoa whoa I have to try this IMMEDIATELY. I love the smell of lilacs, they’re almost overpowering here in the late spring. And you got me with the cool bottle and the almond and vanilla and rice!!!
Inorite?
OK so I ordered a bottle. Also, I don’t watch any FumeTube or TikTok or whatever, I’m just not that gal. I want to read, not to look and listen.
WOO HOO! Enabler badge ordered March. I seriously hope you love it as much as I do.
Yeah, there’s something more personal in prose for me.
Portia xx
I have a sample of the Highland Lilac of Rochester NY and it is a VERY strong, realistic and full bodied lilac scent, best used sparingly.
From reading, I see this version of ‘A Drop’ is discontinued but seems very affordable wherever you can find it.
Lemming created! Thank you Portia
Isn’t Highland Lilac wonderful! Definitely realistic! Thanks for the reminder. I have been wanting to try their body lotion. On the list it goes. Thanks to a few who shall remain unnamed, my interested in body lotions and creams has increased. 😉
Lolol! Whatchutalkin’bout!!!
Who me? lololololo!!!
She got me too a few times!
🙂 🙂 🙂
YAY for super affordable lemmings JenniferS,
Portia xx
I do, I do, I would love to try this. And profit it. Maybe bathe in it… I am always looking for a good lilac scent (Gucci Guilty EdP comes close). Why have I not heard of or seen this? Why?
I’m not sure why it wasn’t sung from the rafters as a new fragrant superstar MaggieCat.
Bathing in A Drop d’Issey sounds like a very sensible option.
Portia xx
interesting notes list. def sounds worth a go.
I liked the Persolaise blog but then he started to doing videos/vlogs … not hugely my cup of tea. I still read Bois de Jasmin though.
oh, I meant to say I ‘get’ why people might want to monetise their content but it looks like for some this means cow-towing to companies etc. ceases really to be your ‘opinion’.
Hiya Cinnamon
I like Persolaise but never read or watched him much. Don’t know why.
Yes, Bois de Jasmin is special.
I’d love to read what you think of A Drop d’Issey if you ever try it.
Portia xx
I found a cheap bottle of this last year at Priceline, stood there looking it up on Fragrantica before I made decision to buy blind.. As soon as I saw lilac I was in! It’s gorgeous and I was surprised I’d never heard of it before.
Woo Hoo Lynley
Are you loving it?
Portia xx
You had my interest the moment I saw the lilac blossom and then the cool bottle! The note list and your review sealed the deal. I will always try to find a sample of a perfume that has lilac in it. I love them and I know what you two experienced in Paris.
Very well put – “pay per adspeak shill”. That has been my experience also, so I don’t watch anyone.
Hey Maya
Did you get it? Love it?
Portia xx
I just ordered it. At the price I got it for, why not? Lilacs work for the spring fever I’m in the early stages of. Tomorrow is supposed to be a new record high – 75f (24c).
To make it clear, I ordered a bottle, not a sample.
Ha! Me too!
🙂
Also we’re in the mid 60s here daytime which is NUTS for this time of year.