Pierre de Velay No. 25 - The Spicy-Citrus, Soapy-Noble Alternative to A Midsummer Dream
TL;DR: No. 25 clearly reminds of A Midsummer Dream, but offers a spicy-citrus, slightly soapy-powdery character through richer heart and base notes that makes it unique. It is ideal for men and perfect for warm weather from May to September.
Anyone familiar with A Midsummer Dream will definitely recognize the DNA of No. 25. A comparison of the two fragrance pyramids confirms that the two scents share a large part of their ingredients. However, No. 25 is characterized by a richer heart and base note, which includes aromas such as immortelle, davana, ginger, cedar needles, and a few others. And it is precisely these seemingly small differences that give No. 25 its own character and make it an interesting and worthy scent to test, despite its similarity to A Midsummer Dream.
The opening of No. 25 is distinctly citrusy and gains a noble, soapy quality from the aldehydes in the top note. In the background, a slightly green nuance unfolds with woody undertones reminiscent of a coniferous forest. A whisper-thin powdery note can also be perceived, giving the fragrance a balsamic, warm effect.
In direct comparison, A Midsummer Dream is clearly softer, more floral, and fresher at the beginning than No. 25. It is precisely this combination of citrus-woody notes that distinguishes No. 25 from A Midsummer Dream.
As is typical for fragrances from Roja, multiple layers can be perceived sequentially when smelling the scent. Initially, the intense citrus note stands out, which quickly develops into a soapy-floral and finally into a woody, fir-like note. All these ingredients together create the pleasant, balsamic effect.
As the fragrance progresses, the citrus top notes diminish somewhat, and the scent is rounded off by a bitter, floral powderiness. The fragrance feels smoother and still reminds one of a noble soap with citrus fruits. At the same time, the wood slowly unfolds in the background, adding warmth to the scent. In the drydown of No. 25, quiet citrus and woody notes ultimately dominate.
In my opinion, No. 25 is a rather masculine scent due to its spicy-citrus note, which directly evokes a feeling of summer. Therefore, it is particularly well-suited for nice weather from early May to late September.
If one now has to choose between No. 25 and A Midsummer Dream, I would recommend No. 25 if one prefers more bitter, citrusy scents. If one prefers softer, floral fragrances, A Midsummer Dream is a good choice. Another essential aspect is the fact that No. 25 does not offer a drastic increase in fragrance experience and quality at more than double the price. Whether the steep price is justified is something everyone must decide for themselves.
Overall, No. 25 is a beautiful fragrance that should definitely be tested if interested. Personally, I prefer A Midsummer Dream a bit more for its floral softness and freshness.
