Tam Dao Diptyque 2003 Eau de Toilette

PRELUDE:
I had superficially tested the brand Diptyque a few years ago at Galeria Lafayette before the store had to vacate the building on Friedrichstraße. A branch of the State Library is supposed to move in as a new tenant at some point. Nice too. The lady at the counter primarily showed me Philosykos Eau de Toilette back then. One must say, she might not have had a good option for the customer: A nice, beautiful scent that I don't see on myself at all. Some time later, I got a sample of Eau de Minthé because there is supposed to be a similarity to the discontinued legendary Rive Gauche pour Homme (2011) or "Rive Gauche pour Homme (2003) (Eau de Toilette) | Yves Saint Laurent." I could understand the similarity. When smelling it directly on the skin, it is not present. In the air, the minty Diptyque indeed becomes a very solid substitute for the YSL. So Eau de Minthé was allowed to move in and beautify the bedroom. I find these bottles from Diptyque to be small masterpieces. I wasn't initially interested in other fragrances from the house.
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A few weeks ago, I wanted to test a bit at KaDeWe. The lady at the Diptyque counter was again so nice and pointed out that one could have a text set put together with her. 5 fragrances with 7.5 ml each for 115 EUR. I found that a nice offer and put something together.
Among them is "Tam Dao (Eau de Toilette) | Diptyque," which has quickly moved in next to the Travel Size and also beautifies the bedroom.

About the scent:
I am very surprised that the proximity to Luna Rossa Black is not mentioned here. As an owner, wearer, and lover of the Prada, the similarity is striking to me. Although I find the Prada perfect as it is, I am very glad about the discovery of "Tam Dao (Eau de Toilette) | Diptyque," as this scent is a quieter, subtler variation of the Prada. Aura scents, as they say today. This fits wonderfully with "Tam Dao (Eau de Toilette) | Diptyque," in my opinion. The scent does not generate a loud sillage but is clearly perceptible close to the wearer, being subtle, discreet, yet strong and characterful. I am surprised that neither pepper nor angelica is listed. Perhaps myrtle is responsible for the scent character. In Wikipedia, I read that myrtle was previously used as a substitute for cubeb pepper "before pepper became popular in Europe." So there we have the explanation. Otherwise, this is a scent that people who can make little of sandalwood might want to try out. Here it could fit. If you love sandalwood, I would recommend a test as a must for everyone. Here, the sandalwood is not as strong as in other creations. However, it is clearly perceptible. With "Tam Dao (Eau de Toilette) | Diptyque," you have a woody-spicy scent that can be worn effortlessly in all enclosed spaces, whether at work or at the ex-wife's wedding. The absence of grapefruit, bergamot, or an Italian citrus peel from North Perugia (which I always welcome otherwise) does this scent good. The composition gains consistency, straightforwardness, and seriousness from it. A breaking of the "strictness" is also not necessary here, as this strictness shines through silence. Metaphorically, the scent makes me think of an authority that functions in the best sense for those to whom it is directed: It does not need to be loud but is perceived and accepted even without much fuss.
That the scent is marketed by the manufacturer with a reference to the temples and forests of Indochina could confuse customers. Nothing about this scent makes me have those associations. For that, it would need to be earthy, balsamic, and ethereal. It is not. I have such associations very clearly with another scent that I love, which, when sprayed, feels like a sauna infusion: "Gentleman Givenchy (Eau de Parfum Boisée) | Givenchy." The "Tam Dao (Eau de Toilette) | Diptyque," on the other hand, could just as well be called something with "bois," "poivre," or "élan."
I do not want to miss my freshies. But whenever I discover scents that can be categorized as "woody" and "spicy," I find myself thinking for a few moments again and again: "This is the true olfactory life. I only wear woody-spicy scents." (At this point, greetings to Bel Ami Eau de Toilette and "Égoïste (Eau de Toilette) | Chanel."

Finally, I would like to share a poem:

The Panther (1903)

(In the Jardin des Plantes, Paris)

His gaze has become so weary from the passing of the bars
that it holds nothing anymore.
It seems to him that there are a thousand bars
and behind a thousand bars, no world.
The soft stride of strong steps,
that turns in the smallest circle,
is like a dance of strength around a center,
in which a great will stands, numbed.
Only sometimes does the curtain of the pupil
silently slide open -. Then an image enters,
passes through the tense stillness of the limbs -
and ceases to be in the heart.

Rainer Maria Rilke

What is the poem doing here? Well, why not? Anyone who takes the time to read a mundane review can also invest a minute to read a poem from the hand of a master. ;-)

Wear more woody and spicy scents, dear men! Thank you for your attention.