Top Notes 
Bergamot
Lemon
Heart Notes 
Labdanum
Bourbon vanilla
Base Notes 
Patchouli
Sandalwood
02/14/2023
Tiagofml
24 Reviews
Tiagofml
Helpful Review
10
The Symphony of the Lion
Rare are the times when a fragrance comes around and sweeps me off my feet and has me coming back for more, again and again.
This is one of those.
The first time I tried it when it first came out in 2019/2020 I was completely repulsed by it and yet, I couldn’t stop smelling it. I wasn’t ready for this Lion.
Now, a few years and 1000+ smells later, I fell head over heels.
The sparkling opening with an amazing bergamot and lemon blast is breathtaking.
However this sparkle is just there to tame the HUGE throbbing punch of smoky, sticky Labdanum that comes surprisingly and powerfully right along the opening stomping the beautiful citrus pop.
The heart is cold, regal, austere and quite proud.
A resinous yet cold cold incense along with the Labdanum and a benzoin nuance.
Now the base… warm, cozy yet powerful. Sticky, resinous yet powdery. A warm blanket of vanilla and benzoin covering what could be a harsh bed of patchouli and a leather impression, if it wasn’t expertly curated by Chanel.
Because yes, even though this deviates from the usual Chanel format we know and love - it also doesn’t.
It has most definitely that Chanel thing.
The oh so elegant soft, powdery, aldehydic presence and an inimitable blend.
Le Lion, an homage to Coco Chanel's zodiac sign.
And what an homage this is!
Pulling together some of the best elements of the greats: the creamy amber patchouli of Coromandel, the smoky leathery aspects of Cuir de Russie, the cold incense heart of 22 EDT/1932 or 31 Rue Cambon; and a far sight of Guerlain’s Shalimar with that citrus pop that settles to that glorious Labdanum and vanilla; while not being close to any and having a marked personality.
It's almost like an orchestra, a symphony of every Chanel fragrance playing a perfectly tuned Masterpiece composition.
Not for the faint of heart. Not for everyone. For me.
This is one of those.
The first time I tried it when it first came out in 2019/2020 I was completely repulsed by it and yet, I couldn’t stop smelling it. I wasn’t ready for this Lion.
Now, a few years and 1000+ smells later, I fell head over heels.
The sparkling opening with an amazing bergamot and lemon blast is breathtaking.
However this sparkle is just there to tame the HUGE throbbing punch of smoky, sticky Labdanum that comes surprisingly and powerfully right along the opening stomping the beautiful citrus pop.
The heart is cold, regal, austere and quite proud.
A resinous yet cold cold incense along with the Labdanum and a benzoin nuance.
Now the base… warm, cozy yet powerful. Sticky, resinous yet powdery. A warm blanket of vanilla and benzoin covering what could be a harsh bed of patchouli and a leather impression, if it wasn’t expertly curated by Chanel.
Because yes, even though this deviates from the usual Chanel format we know and love - it also doesn’t.
It has most definitely that Chanel thing.
The oh so elegant soft, powdery, aldehydic presence and an inimitable blend.
Le Lion, an homage to Coco Chanel's zodiac sign.
And what an homage this is!
Pulling together some of the best elements of the greats: the creamy amber patchouli of Coromandel, the smoky leathery aspects of Cuir de Russie, the cold incense heart of 22 EDT/1932 or 31 Rue Cambon; and a far sight of Guerlain’s Shalimar with that citrus pop that settles to that glorious Labdanum and vanilla; while not being close to any and having a marked personality.
It's almost like an orchestra, a symphony of every Chanel fragrance playing a perfectly tuned Masterpiece composition.
Not for the faint of heart. Not for everyone. For me.
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