Chanel - Les Exclusifs

Today I got my hands on three samples from the eagerly-awaited Chanel Exclusifs line. I was so excited, I could barely wait until dinner was over so I could rush to my office and test them. (My husband always makes a lovely dinner and it would be cruel to make him wait while I overindulge my already spoiled olfactory sense.) Let me tell you it was well worth the wait.

I picked the three that I thought I would like best from their descriptions. It was difficult to find listings of the actual notes used in these fragrances, so I can't be sure of exactly what I am smelling, besides the obvious. I list the notes I could find and go from there. I must say that I am very delightfully surprised that I like all three, and it is hard to pick a favorite, although at this moment, I am leaning slightly towards the Eau de Cologne.

No.18
Notes: ambrette seed

No. 18 starts off with a slightly musty and dry note with a vegetal quality, vaguely metallic, like a root of some sort, with a non-spicy white pepper edge (a la L'Artisan Poivre Piquant perhaps). Soon a musky soapiness reveals itself, sweetish and very pleasant. The drydown has a heavier musk smell, that of the ambrette, with a bit of funk. Not unpleasant mind you, like dirty underpants or sweaty men (although I hear some people like that sort of thing ;)), just a little animalic.

Coromandel
Notes: amber, vanilla, patchouli
A sweet and powdery oriental with tinges of leather, a dash of something akin to orange peel, some spice, some smoke, and a soft vanilla with a dash of patchouli. It reminds me a bit of both Anné Pliska and Fifi Chachnil, but without the former's old-lady quality (on me - I know it has lots of fans) and sans the rose of the latter. Not as spicy or bold a scent as I expected, but more refined and ladylike.

Eau de Cologne
Notes: musk, neroli, vetiver, bergamot, citrus
Eau de Cologne opens with sweet and bright citrus notes that dries down to a very aromatic and musky neroli fragrance. Simple, fairly straightforward, and completely delicious.

Now I'm afraid I need to get my hands on the other scents in the collection!

tags: reviews