1697 Frapin 2011 Absolu de Parfum

After the extraordinary comment from Profumo, I almost hesitate to share my impressions of this wonderful fragrance. I hope a brief assessment from a female wearer is permitted here, as this is one of my absolute favorite scents.

That the fragrance line from Frapin-Cointreau features hints of fine spirits is not really surprising. However, I was taken aback by 1697 right from the first test, when I noticed the strong liqueur notes in the opening, which are so beautifully embedded in smooth, gourmand substances. I pondered for a long time about what this reminded me of, as the mentioned rum doesn’t quite hit the mark in my opinion. Now I know, I associate it with a wine cream like zabaglione. Yes, that captures it quite well. Individually, it’s hawthorn, plum, cinnamon, cistus, tobacco, and vanilla that enhance the overall impression of a delicious dessert with a kick. Addictive, yet grounded by transparent wood notes and fine leather, making it absolutely wearable by both men and women.

However, the leather presents a puzzle for me. I experience it on my skin with varying intensity, sometimes subtle and then again so strong that it’s almost too much for me. And this changes depending on my daily condition and regardless of the amount of fragrance I applied. It’s possible that my skin chemistry changes or my nose is in a different mood.

All in all, 1697 is for me a very rounded, balanced fragrance that does not present itself significantly differently on test strips and my skin. Despite its opulence, it possesses a certain lightness in my opinion and retains its character until the end. The longevity is quite decent, while the sillage is rather subtle for me. I enjoy wearing it for special occasions. I find the bottle simple and elegant; I am a proud owner of a numbered edition of the first, slightly more angular version (see picture above), although I have mixed feelings about the limitation as a marketing tool. I just had to have it! By now, the fragrance is also available as an EdP in the “normal” Frapin bottle.