Histories de Parfums, 1899 Hemingway – Juniper, Cinnamon 8/10
Juniper and cinnamon are a couple of my favourite notes, and they’re featured prominently in 1899 Hemingway. Vanilla also plays a starring role, in a fragrance often compared to Spicebomb. I see the comparisons, but I think this is smoother, and less pepper dominant. Creamy, smooth development in a unisex marketed scent, but due to the prominence of the juniper leans slightly masculine. Excellent longevity at 10 plus hours, with moderate sillage for the first couple of hours. An excellent offering from a very underrated, consistent house.
Olfactive Studio, Flashback – Rhubarb Freshness 7/10
Olfactive Studio is a niche house that draws inspiration from photography and perfume. Laurent Segretier and Olivier Cresp combine on Flashback, which takes us back to childhood and the smell of rhubarb tart. I get rhubarb and apple at the top, drying down to leave a dry woody trail of vetiver and cedar. Flashback is a great alternative to feature over citrus fragrances in your warm weather rotation. The only drawback with Flashback is the longevity which is somewhat lacking, becoming a skin scent after a few hours and fading almost completely after 6 hours.
Olfactive Studio, Close Up – Cherry Tobacco 9/10
I first encountered Olfactive Studio’s Close Up after purchasing a discovery set that featured some of the brand’s heavier, darker scents. I was immediately taken with the blend of cherry, white tobacco, tonka, coffee, spices, amber, patchouli, rose, musk and cedar. It instantly reminded me of several different scents. The cherry liqueur, dried fruit opening, brought to mind Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry (close up is 1/3 the price of Lost Cherry) and Pure Havane. The cherry, tobacco and coffee notes remain prominent throughout, but as it dry’s down, amber comes to the fore and the fragrance begins to remind me of Ambre Narguile from Hermes. Close Up is not a clone of any of fragrance though, and only bears a resemblance to each of the three fragrances I’ve mentioned. Long-lasting, I enjoy 10 plus hours with moderate projection for the first couple of hours. A well-blended fragrance by Annick Menardo, that is perfect for the cooler weather.
Are you familiar with these fragrances? Do you have an favourites from Histoires de Parfums and Olfactive Studio?
Great review! I am familiar only with close up and love it! I will try the other ones!
Thanks, yes they’re all worth trying.
I am very much enjoying Close Up, and I just bought the Fresh Discovery set today and both Matt and I love Flashback, although he is less concerned about longevity than I am LOL
Flashback is a very nice one. An excellent rhubarb, apple and vetiver scent. One that I bought for the warmer months. Panorama was the most intriguing of the others. Very interesting green scent.