The name “Vapeurs Diablotines” of the French perfume house Sous le Manteau was chosen because the fragrance is based on the original recipe for a French love potion from the 19th century and wafts a spicy, mysterious note reminiscent of a “witch’s kitchen”.
The image and description by dear @Olfaktoria made me curious about this fragrance. A glance at the fragrance pyramid - I tend to be rather cautious when it comes to animalic notes - initially gave me pause…
But now, on to the fragrance. For me, its versatility, intrigue and complexity make it a complete work of art, with many nuances that depend on external factors. The herbaceous, fresh, cool and slightly sharp opening is pleasant and invigorating. After a short while, the magic of its evolution begins: the fragrance starts to “come alive” and change. It grows warm, with a hint of sweetness in the background. Contrary to what I expected, it is not the animalic quality that challenges or overwhelms me. It is a smoky, “varnish-like”, leathery note. It swirls around, but only briefly… And that’s a good thing. The animalic quality, on the other hand, is perceptible, but masterfully woven into this “witch’s kitchen” with elegance. In the drydown, when applied sparingly, the fragrance reveals its warm, aromatic, comforting side. I was pleasantly surprised by the subtle presence of floral notes here.
I would compare this living work of art, woven from fragrance notes, to a warm wool scarf in rich earth tones. Together, they create a delicate pattern in which all the notes are harmoniously intertwined.
For me, it’s not an everyday fragrance…
I associate it with an autumn walk in the forest. It has just rained. The air is cool and clear. The fragrant scarf wraps me in its pleasant, spicy warmth.
Thank you, dear @Olfaktoria, for the sample and for broadening my fragrance horizons.
Das klingt durchaus spannend, was du hier vorstellst.