Carrying on from yesterday’s gourmand theme, I recently sampled Blanche Bête, another scent with edible notes from the French niche house Liquides Imaginaires. Cacao, milk, and vanilla form part of the note pyramid. Interestingly, the brand does not mention coconut, but I pick up something distinctly toasty and coconut-like, undoubtedly due to the white floral component of Blanche Bête. Here are my first impressions. They’re much more positive than yesterday.
First Impressions – Liquides Imaginaires, Blanche Bête – Blanche Bête means white beast, and the brand’s press material for this 2021 release teases images of mythical unicorns (the white beast) swanning in gardens resplendent in white flowers. And for once, I buy into the brand’s inspiration.
As I mentioned, the fragrance has a distinct gourmand slant. From the open, perfumer Louise Turner serves up what smells like the olfactory equivalent of a milky dessert. Perhaps a plate of white chocolate mousse/pannacotta surrounded by white floral petals. Cleverly, though, Turner tones down the sugar levels. Therefore, this doesn’t smell or feel like a kid’s candy gourmand. I perceive almond, too, though it’s not listed, and its inclusion doesn’t steer the perfume into marzipan territory. Instead, it melds seamlessly with the milky chocolate notes, creating a nutty undertone.
As the fragrance develops, musky notes and white florals (jasmine, tuberose) combine with the gourmand opening giving the composition a more rounded character. Indeed, they add to the cocoon of creaminess but also prevent the fragrance from becoming too sweet or offputting. Here’s where the suggestion of coconut emanates. Into the dry down, tonka, incense smoke, and musky vanilla add a further warm dimension to Blanche Bête’s bow. It could be the power of suggestion due to the bottle colour, but I think of white chocolate rather than dark cacao as the dry down takes hold.
It took me a little while to work out which scents Blanche Bête reminded me of so closely. Then it struck me. The floral aspects recall Amouage’s Love Tuberose. However, Blanche Bête is decidedly milkier. Other scents that came to mind were the almond, tonka heavy, Bois Dore from Van Cleef & Arpels, Luna Rossa Black from Prada, and Bvlgari Black for its rubbery smoky vanilla facets. As for the milky characteristics, perhaps something, like Remember Me from Jovoy, is similar.
Floral gourmands are not in my wheelhouse. Therefore I don’t need a bottle of this stuff, but it’s a noteworthy fragrance in the category—a must-try for lovers of the style. As for Liquides Imaginaires, my favourite remains the iris/jasmine woody combination of the brilliantly named Tapis Volant.
What’s your favourite Liquides Imaginaires or floral gourmand? Have you sampled this one?
Note: Bottle image of Blanche Bête from Fragrantica. All other photos are my own. I purchased the Blanche Bête decant used for sampling in this blog post.
Great detailed review! I still need to try this scent!
Thanks very much, Tetê. Hopefully you get to sample it soon.
I tried a sample, as I love sweet creamy perfumes- which this is but a 10 ml sample was enough. It’s very sweet and creamy but is lacking in some bite such as a sharp contrasting note. I’d get tired of it quickly.
Yes, Jane. I agree. There’s not enough to hold my interest either. You’re right, it needed something else to oppose and balance out the sweetness.
Chocolate is for eating! Again not for me, though you do make it sound appealing
One certainly has to appreciate gourmands to enjoy this one. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I’d be up to try a milky white floral if the coconut note isn’t strong. I always think of Dom Rosa when LI is mentioned, but haven’t tried most of the others – must rectify.
Yes, Dom Rosa is a favourite of mine too. Love the sparkling nature of the rose, pomelo and champagne. The rest of the range is worth a try I think. As for this one, I do find the coconut element to be quite strong, but not screechy like coconut can sometimes be.
I don’t mind a milky white floral. I have yet to try anything from this brand!
I think if you’re a fan of milky white florals this one is worth a sample.
The only Liquides Imaginaires perfume that I have in my collection is Bello Rabelo, but I liked several other that I tried.
Blanche Bête sounds interesting (great review!): I like milky perfumes, so I will definitely try it when I get a chance.
Thank you! Yes, I recall Bello Rabelo was an ambery perfume that had a distinct red wine note.
While I love coconut, this note can overwhelm and dated in a fragrance. Thanks for this great review, Daniel. The fragrances I have in my collection from Liquides Imaginaires are Bloody Wood and Fortis. These are my two favorites, while Dom Rosa has been on my wishlist for some time now.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Ah, Dom Rosa is a good one. I recall enjoying Bloody Wood too. Fortis I need to revisit.
Mmm.. this sounds like a must-try. And the good news is that this brand is now properly available in South Africa, so will be doing much exploring of it. As always, dear Daniel, super shots and writing.
Thanks very much, Rich. I hope you get to sample the range soon.