Hi there Posse! Yuzu Ab Irato has been sitting around here for over a year, 5ml of its shimmery cool green that for some reason has gone without a sniff or even a look. Does anyone else have this happen? An order arrives and you smell 4 of the 7 decants, and you find one you love so you go crazy for it and wear it for a week. Meanwhile the rest of the order gets ignored. During my cleanup I rediscovered this little baby and am enjoying it immensely as a mid season spritz.
Yuzu Ab Irato by Parfumerie Generale 2006
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Mint, yuzu
Heart: Magnolia, pepper, jasmine, hyacinth
Base: Myrtle, bamboo, hyssop, thyme
I don’t know if you remember but back in 2014 I was lucky enough to get an amazingly cheap deal on First Class return flights to Europe. The whole experience was outrageously amazing and on the flight I was introduced to the Yuzu at beakfast. Imagine a lightly sweet tasting grapefruit with a dry, delicious, soft focus citrus flavour. Easy to eat and yummy I fell instantly in love. Yuzu is pretty hard to find here in Australia still so I have been searching for a Yuzu fragrance that would bring back the incredible memories of that wonderful holiday. Enter Yuzu Ab Irato.
Here we see Yuzu with a bracing minty opening, the mint serves to make the fragrance feel like wearing a Mohito! Once the mint wears off a bit the prettiness of Yuzu can come to the fore, lightly pithy, sweet and very mildly bitter. The primmest of citrus. Enjoy this part of Yuzu Ab Irato quickly because once you have a Yuzu clearly pictured (photo realistic and a fabulous memory scent) the flowers waltz in and add their breathy wetness to the mix. The image it brings me is cool sprinkling rain on a warm day, rain that takes the edge off the heat without creating high uncomfortable humidity.
More beautiful greenness ensues as the herbaceous baseline floats in and Yuzu Ab Irato still manages to maintain a citrus flavour even now that seems drizzled liberally with musks.
If you like some of the fresher Aqua Allegorias then Yuzu Ab Irato will definitely tickle your fancy. I find it’s longevity much better than them though and will have musky citrus smelling skin next morning. A sparkling, prettily, girlishly green princess of a fragrance that will smell great on the guys and girls.
Further reading: Perfume Smellin’ Things
LuckyScent has $125/50ml + Samples
Which samples have you neglected? Can’t even remember can you? Go check your sample drawer for gems, they are laying in wait for you.
Portia xx
Incredible , I need one of those! This site always has something nice to show to us, thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Bianca.
Portia xxx
Yes, yes, yes, Portia! Story of my life — so glad I’m not the only one this happens to, ha! This sounds absolutely lovely and now I’m dying to try it. Yuzu, mint, magnolia, jasmine, hyacinth, etc.: It sounds like a winner. Thanks, dear!
In fact, I’m wondering now how it compares with Diptyque’s Oyedo, which also has yuzu in it. Yum!
YAY! Twins on too many samples. No surprise. Writing about fragrance makes it VERY easy to get overwhelmed.
Don’t know the Diptyque one Ann, sorry.
Portia xx
You know, after reading this, I just realized that I have yet to try a sample I got of Hermes Bel Ami — and I love leather! Must remedy this tonight!!!
Ha Ha Ha HeidiC,
I have no idea how that ties in?
SORRY! Denior Moment, yes, go for it. Enjoy your neglected sample. You can’t go wrong with Hermès
Portia xx
There is quite a bit in my collection that gets neglected. I go through phases though. I might wear Jicky for days on end then wear something else. But it’s not helping that I am ending up wearing 2 or 3 perfumes a day because my dry skin eats perfume. But I have never tried Yuzu Ab Irato.
Hiya eldarwen22,
I love wearing three frags a day. It means I get to smell so much more of the collection.
Yes, I too will wear something for 3-4 days and then have to start reviewing again and the spell is broken. Other times I’ll wear three different a day for a week.
Portia xx
I have had a decant of Yuzu Ab Irato for years and enjoy it in the summer. Sadly I find it to be very fleeting but that lovely mint is just the thing on a hot day. You described the diffused citrus of the Yuzu perfectly.
Hey rosarita313,
Those top notes are gone all too soon, I agree, Wouldn’t it be lovely if they could make that fun opening last for an hour or more?
Thanks, always lovely to see you on the Posse.
Portia xxx
What a timely reminder, I usually buy a decant of Yuzu ab Irato for my partner at this time of year as I love to smell it on him during our summer! I I find it beautiful and uplifting but I do love sophisticated citrusy greens!
Hello caseymaureen,
That is a fabulous story. What a great idea to buy a decant for the one you love.
It’s kind of a present for you really though isn’t it?
Portia xx