No. 11 Pierre de Velay 2009

This is a rare juice which is only sold at Roja Dove's "Haute Parfumerie" in London (Harrods/5th floor). The perfume was designed according to a "recipe" hidden in some old dash-book from the 1920's. Perfumer P. de Velay jotted down some ideas which Roja Dove carried out in a glorious manner. No. 11 is an intoxicating blend of lavish flowers, first and foremost, Grasse jasmine. Since it is a chypre, the jasmine and the obvious rose in this scent are underlined by oakmoss and patchouli. No. 11 entices you with brilliant many-faceted clarity and elegance, although the drydown is a bit "animalic", you can still smell the indolic jasmine which gives it a tantalising mysterious undertone. The formulation of No. 11 is no world-shaker, i.e. not innovative, but wonderfully retro (just like the stylish retro-design of the flacon).