ArkangeL

New Haarlem instantly took me to a familiar place, and it was not Rochas Man. This scent is far more sophisticated. It brought me back to Jo Malone Black Vetyver Cafe, only drenched in maple and brown sugar. I now understand the "syrupy" quality. Not sweet and sticky, such as pancake syrup... but a natural syrup that borderlines being resinous, however the coffee and vanilla keeps it in check so that it stays on gourmand grounds. Bergamot and lavender? Yeah, for the opening of the show... then they quickly go into hiding. New Haarlem gets better with time and actually becomes less sweet. Coffee is most assuredly the dominant note, and the ingredient that is initially responsible for this fragrance being unisex. The reason it reminds me so much of Black Vetyver Cafe is because the coffee is raw. You're not going to get an A*Men Pure Coffee feel, so remain open-minded throughout the duration of your New Haarlem experience. The projection and longevity is a solid 10 and then some. So if this should not be your cup of tea, you'll find the quality undeniably incredible.

I went out of my way to order this considering it could be 6 to 8 months before it's arrival here in the USA, as we saw with La Nuit de L'Homme Le Parfum. I was hopeful that Oud Absolu would be a deeper interpretation of M7. Instead, I found it to be a reformulation in a classier bottle. If you missed out on M7 when it was widely available, this will suffice. Does it have that sillage, projection and longevity it's ancestor had? No, but still a nice fragrance. Think of M7 restrained, harnessed and tamed. Is it necessary to chase after Oud Absolu if you've already obtained the M7 original? No. Unless you're a serious bottle collector. I'll conclude this by saying, I believe the M7 original deserves the title and packaging of La Collection Oud Absolu.

In the case of Pour Le Soir, a memory of Lord's Jester Daphne was triggered. This is liquid incense in a nutshell, but far too complex to be summarized. In the opening, you get the effect of incense when it is first lit, minus the elements of fire and smoke. Ironically Perfume means "through smoke." More so the latin translation "perfumum." It took a little longer than average to find my way to the base notes being that this perfume is extremely potent. For those of you who thought Clinique Aromatics Elixir and Opium for Women were strong, experience this and your opinion may be subject to change. After time the smoke begins to clear and honey is revealed, but it is not alone. The rose seems to be blossoming nearby, but overpowered by everything else. The Ylang Ylang is always present, yet doesn't deliver it's full essence in the end. I suppose that part of the incense burned out. What remains? Earthy-balmy sandalwood, whispers of cedar and a little honey to smooth it all over. The dry down is somewhat the eye of the storm. Pour Le Soir starts out vivid and concludes in a state of warmth and tranquility.

No. 19 Poudre is reminiscent of Prada Infusion d'Iris, but what it reminds me of even more so is Chloe Eau de Fleurs Capucine with Chanel No. 5 DNA. The galbanum and neroli, which are shared by both fragrances is what struck a memory of Capucine. They each have noticeably green and powdery qualities. I wouldn't be opposed to this on the right woman. I envision a romantic picnic, where a woman in a white dress is laid out on a blanket made from Egyptian cotton. Gusts of wind thrust forth her femininely fresh essence.

The enhancement smells as if someone dropped a closed fist full of melted Belgian chocolates into the original formula. The chocolate and cacao are very superior. I almost want to say... it's too much & the caramel enhancement in Alien wasn't enough. Angel Taste of Fragrance gives me the feel of Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia, only a lot richer and focused on that chocolate. I'm beginning to think the famous Chef who incorporated the gourmand note into this fragrance was Willy Wonka.