Hello, you sniffers, and good evening :)
Tonight, I’m introducing a new, old fragrance. Huh, how can that be, you might be asking?! Well, the fragrance Essence Rare is already a classic, first released in 1928, reissued in 1976, and finally revised and re-released in 2018. I know that many of you think that reformulated fragrances always lose quality. That may indeed be true, but I can’t say much about it yet, as I haven’t experienced fragrances over multiple generations, since I’m not as old as all of you (… so much for my New Year’s resolution to be a bit nicer to you ladies here… :DD), but I also think that not all reformulations have to be bad.
Anyway, it seems that the perfumer of this fragrance doesn’t mind reformulations either, especially when given the honor of re-composing a classic fragrance. It’s then about combining tried-and-true elements from the past with something new, at least according to the perfumer.
Well, since I don’t know the 1976 fragrance and especially the 1928 fragrance of this one, as I said, I’m not nearly as old as you (… I really should, REALLY stop referring to you ladies as older… :DD), I can’t write a comparison test, but as always, I’ll share my opinion on this fragrance and try to describe it as accurately as possible :)
The Fragrance:
The fragrance actually starts with quite classic notes, or it smells like a classic French fragrance. At first sniff, it reminds me a lot of Guerlain’s wonderful Habit Rouge, only a bit more floral and feminine. You can smell lily of the valley and jasmine, as well as a creamy-powdery note that could come from notes like violet or even more so, iris. A hint of the stated mandarin is also present, but you have to sniff very closely to detect it. When you sniff directly at the sprayed spot, you can briefly perceive a mandarin, or better said, a mandarin peel, as it comes off slightly bitter.
The classic impression of the fragrance remains later on, which is not surprising due to notes like oak moss. Additionally, the fragrance also appears slightly soapy or clean.
Towards the end, the fragrance continues to smell classic with oak moss and remains creamy-soft due to powdery notes. Of course, the fragrance is also beautifully floral. And this is exactly the kind of floral notes that I like in a ladies' fragrance, as they don’t smell cloying or stuffy, but simply come across as beautifully feminine. I still lean towards lily of the valley and jasmine, although the roses are now also more noticeable. Along with the floral sweetness, there’s another sweetness from the vanilla. Overall, a truly lovely fragrance.
The Sillage and Longevity:
Although the fragrance seems soft, it has a strong sillage, so it can be perceived from a distance for a while. It’s pleasant to smell without being overwhelming. The longevity is also very good, as you can still smell the fragrance well on the skin after ten hours.
The Bottle:
The bottle is round and plump, with thick lines running around the glass that look like veins and seem to divide the glass into many separate chambers. On the front, one of these “chambers” is gilded and represents the label. The neck of the bottle is pink, and a cap designed similarly to the bottle sits on top, only this one is hemispherical and transparent. A very beautiful bottle.
Conclusion:
So, this fragrance really has something about it that is very appealing. I’m not always a fan of old-fashioned fragrances, but there are quite a few that I really, really like, such as Habit Rouge by Guerlain, which I can even wear at my over 30, 32, 34 (… let’s stop here, shall we? :D) years. You see, you’re not the only ones who have gotten much older… I’m just probably a tad younger than all of you, mu ha ha ha. Alright, alright, don’t come at me with pitchforks. Maybe it helps if I say that you ladies can still look absolutely stunning even at an older age?! Well, is there peace again now? :D
Anyway, although I don’t know the previous Essence Rare fragrances by Houbigant, I find this one simply very successful and therefore highly recommendable. It may not be a fragrance for younger people or for those who don’t like that classic touch, but I think it smells very good. It comes across as very elegant, has a slightly soapy-clean component, and just smells nice.
It’s an all-rounder, so in my opinion, it’s a fragrance for every season (except maybe very hot summer days) and can be worn subtly both during the day and especially for the evening and going out. Definitely give it a try sometime; it could be worth it!
That brings me to the end. Please excuse my age jokes (hey, I still find you all very sexy… uh, I meant I love you all :DD) and have a great evening, until next time :)
Top Notes 
Mandarin orange
Heart Notes 
Jasmine
Lily of the valley
Rose
Base Notes 
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Amber
Oakmoss
0815abc
Pluto
Candila
Yatagan
Smellie13
Seerose
Azura
Serenissima
Precious
Heikeso
