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Ishah (Toilet Water) by Charles of the Ritz

Ishah 1954 Toilet Water

Ergoproxy
01/20/2015 - 03:16 PM
Top Review
8Scent 7.5Longevity 5Sillage

Mitsouko has an oriental relative

Thanks to the good Florblanca, I am in possession of a large decant of this vintage perfume, and I would have actually bet that she has already commented on the scent.

So I was all the more surprised to find out that she hasn't done so yet.

Well then, I will try to dissect this scent without a pyramid.

Ishah has a certain similarity to the current EdT version of Mitsouko for my nose, but it cannot quite hold a candle to the classic from Guerlain.

The top note has a decent dose of aldehydes and thus comes across as strict, soapy, subtly floral, and a little bitter.

The heart note has not quite as much fruitiness as Mitsouko, but the flowers are brought more to the forefront. Over a longer period, the floral accord feels rose-dominated to me.

I find the base to be more oriental and spicier than that of Guerlain, but here too, a decent portion of oakmoss must have been used, and I also suspect a hint of sandalwood.

Even though Ishah cannot quite compete with Mitsouko in terms of refinement, it can easily keep up in terms of longevity and sillage.

In any case, it may not be fair to compare the two scents, and one should let each fragrance work on its own.

Seen this way, Ishah is a really well-composed chypre with a stronger oriental touch and a test recommendation for lovers of vintage perfumery.

Dear Flor, thank you very much for this wonderful vintage scent that I will wear with joy.:))
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15 Comments
TurandotTurandot 10 years ago
I just had it under my nose. Yes, I can totally relate to all of that.
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Odeur23Odeur23 11 years ago
Beautifully described as always. Would the scent be something for me...no, probably not. But just reading about it is exciting enough for me ;O)
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PlutoPluto 11 years ago
Similar to Mitsouko, thanks, then I don't need to test it.
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ScheeheratzeScheeheratze 11 years ago
Luckily, I still have a tiny bit of the old Mitsouko EDP left. But I really liked the Ritz fragrances as well. Congratulations!
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ParfumAholicParfumAholic 11 years ago
Chypre? Roses? Aldehydes? No, I think I'll just stick to the reading pleasure your comment brings me instead ;-)
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MeggiMeggi 11 years ago
Well put, I agree. That really shows expertise.
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DobbsDobbs 11 years ago
You're really good at picking things apart!
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DuftJunkieDuftJunkie 11 years ago
As long as I have Mitsouko (EdP), I probably won't need it :-). Where can I even find it :-(? By the way, well described!
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PaloneraPalonera 11 years ago
Wow, that sounds really great - a Mitsouko sibling with Middle Eastern ambitions! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you can wear the scent despite your partner's aversion to Chypres, ;-).
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OrmeliOrmeli 11 years ago
Flowers, roses, sandalwood. All things I love to sniff - but I don't really like wearing them myself.
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FlorblancaFlorblanca 11 years ago
Thanks for taking the work off my hands ;-DD - You did a really great job!
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KleopatraKleopatra 11 years ago
And once again, I've discovered a lovely old fragrance, thank you!
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TaurusTaurus 11 years ago
The scent probably isn't for me. But the bottle is absolutely lovely! :-)
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YataganYatagan 11 years ago
Help! You're wearing vintage perfumes with a rose scent! ;) Alright! For Flori's sake, I would do it too! :) She's the only one I wouldn't say no to, after all, she's the vintage expert! Just thinking about her treasures!! Not bad!!!
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SeeroseSeerose 11 years ago
Strange coincidence. I just wrote a comment where I had to think of Mitsouko.
But in a roundabout way. Helpful, once again a fragrance described as precisely as possible without any comments.
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