Suite E. Marinella 2019

Fresh-soapy chamomile is dominant in the opening, but behind it, there is a barely audible phenolic-metallic whisper. In combination, the scent of old, yellowed book pages comes to mind. I like it when it’s not too piercing. Here it is well executed, not too rounded, but also not overly sharp and angular. That must be the patchouli. ... Yep, that’s it... Patchouli does what patchouli does - providing depth and structure. Curious to see where the journey goes. The soapy chamomile lasts surprisingly long, and I find the fading remarkably slow in a positive sense. I don’t like thriller scents that take you on a roller coaster ride. Here, you can tell that something is happening; the scent is anything but linear, but it unfolds in such a pleasant and calm manner that I really like. Very delicate floral notes form the bridge to a fascinating ambivalence between a dark, earthy depth on one hand - the patchouli is clearly the star at the heart - and on the other hand, a bright, clear, powdery creaminess. If I had to decide what the road is and what the guardrails are, I would say the patchouli is the road, leading the creaminess. The composition culminates in an ambered, slightly sweet, vanillic woodiness that I associate with the scent of fresh sawdust.

I often have the "problem" with powdery-creamy scents that they become too agreeable for me over time. Generally, I have nothing against quiet scents, but I don’t want to be lulled the whole time. I think this scent breaks through that in a very sophisticated way with the patchouli - without being too harsh, wild, or attention-seeking.

Fine, fine - I’m impressed. ... ... Wrote it and gave it a 9.5 :-D