Hey there Posse. I went looking for some Patricia Nicolai stuff today but whilst looking I noticed this old favourite of mine. It’s been sitting unloved for at least a year, maybe two or three. This year it’s celebrating its 21 birthday too. What better time to dust Sushi Imperiale off and give it a whirl? Many of you will remember the Bois 1920 house. It’s been a niche stalwart since its step up to niche status in 2005. Yes, Sushi Imperiale is one of the original reimagined 21st century stories.
I really like these bottles too. Currently I’m using, and pictured, a 50ml and it’s such a comfortable fit in my hand. It’s hefty and satined for grip. That glass embossing of the Bois 1920 is also very cool. Interestingly, you can buy in four sizes from Bois 1920. 2ml, 18ml, 50ml and 100ml. All of them spray! They are also a more affordable niche house. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bargain but compared to niche prices elsewhere they are reasonable.
Sushi Imperiale by Bois 1920 2005
Bois 1920 gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, Mandarine, Lemon
Heart: Pepper, Nutmeg, Rose, Cinnamon
Base: Sandalwood, Tonka beans, Vanilla
If you are expecting Sushi Imperiale to smell like rice, fish, seaweed or soy sauce then you’re in for a big fat disappointment.
Opening is a dry pepper, citrus melange with something green that smells like coriander and cardamom. It’s very enticing and unfortunately is fleeting. If there is one thing I’d wish Sushi Imperiale did better it would be holding on to that stunning opening for at least ten minutes.
The named spices play such a background roll on me. The heart does have that strange yet oh so familiar scent of rice cooking. Sadly this moment is also fleeting. Then we head towards what the real meat of the fragrance is and stays fairly linear till dry down. It’s not like a Demeter, pure photo realistic recreation, but a kind of rice pudding dream version. Unsweetly sweet. In no way are we headed bakery or confectionary. It’s a dessert but in the tradition of many Asian end of dinner snacks it is softly sweet.
Kind of like rice pudding (a dessert I’ve loathed since birth but LOVED the smell of) but not at all.
Not a scent that is aimed at any sex. It’s a bit too sophisticated for that kind of boxing. Longevity is good, sillage moderate. This is not about beast mode everlasting blah blah blah. In my mind, Sushi Imperiale is for people who love fine fragrance and get that idea. They wear perfume for themselves and it’s nice if anyone else likes it but not important. Or even relevant.
Sushi Imperiale was on my Posse To Buy List back in 2015! Yes, I’ve bought nearly ALL of those bottles on the list. Here are the ones I did not get. NOT lack of love but lack of opportunity or funds.
- Aedes de Venustas – Original
- Ambra Mediterranea by Profumi del Forte
- Bottega Veneta parfum
- Cologne by Thierry Mugler
- eo03 by biehl parfumkunstwerke
- Moon Bloom by Hiram Green
- Nuit de Noel Parfum by Caron
- Rozy Eau de Parfum by Vero Profumo
- Silver Man by Amouage
- Tobacco Rose by Papillon Perfumery
- Wit by Parfums DelRae
Did you ever get your sniff on Sushi Imperiale?
Portia xx