Excellent And Not As Challenging As Some Believe...
Very nice composition here in Pétroleum by Histoire de Parfums. I find it difficult to call out given notes for most of the scent's development as it is so well-blended, no notes really call attention to themselves until the dry down, save the Oud. I find it more a scent with an *accord* that is quite identifiiable, and very true to its name. Pétroleum reminds me very much of clean smelling petrol with extremely subtle hints of rose as a distant supporting note well in the background. I don't find Pétroleum to be a loud or controversial scent at all, but rather a nice pleasant scent that is distinctive, while being quite wearable and versatile at the same time. The dry down is primarily a clean musk, mixed with the remnants of the petrol accord that now takes a supporting role, coupling with a very subtle leather. Sillage is about average and longevity is excellent.
My only gripe with Pétroleum is the price. When you can buy classics like Fahrenheit in their vintage form for less than half the cost of Pétroleum, it is a much harder sell to get me from the "appreciation" column to the "buy" column. Still, while both scents share a petrol vibe (albeit different smelling ones with completely different execution to my nose) this is absolutely no Fahrenheit clone at all, and if you can afford it, Pétroleum is well worth an addition to one's collection. Tied with Amber 114 as my favorite scent from the brand to date at 4 to 4.5 stars out of 5.
