The Orchid Man Frapin 2015

Ouch, the name is a bit confusing in principle. One automatically thinks of a scent that seems to consist mainly of orchids and not of a French boxing legend from the 1920s. And since Georges Carpentier had more than just combat sports skills and also successfully worked as a showman and businessman, opening bars and restaurants and always appearing elegantly and stylishly, he earned the nickname Orchid Man.

Violet Man or Violet Distributor would have also been an interesting nickname, but it sounds too brutal and is more suited to carnival boxers like Knut Wuchtig or something.

Well, our Orchid Man comes out swinging in the first round with lively yet elegant bergamot notes and a solid pepper punch. It comes across more fruity soft than spicy hard, but it is quite powerful.

But in the second round, it gets even better: both the delicately silky jasmine and leathery notes make their appearance and convincingly balance sweet floral facets with bitter to almost harsh undertones. It is obvious that the leather of the boxing gloves has been olfactorily referenced conceptually, allowing the Orchid Man to achieve a daring twist.

In the third and final round, it becomes calm and sober. There is no trace of the announced patchouli. Black amber (whatever that is supposed to mean) also poses a riddle. Just before the final gong, it becomes slightly greenish, as if one were falling onto a large soft mossy mat.

What remains is the impression of a clearly skillful homage to a fascinating personality with various abilities, full of character and charisma, well-shaved and groomed, yet also with sweet and bitter notes. One does not get knocked out immediately - but it’s absolutely fine!