Wanderungen
Reviews
Detailed
Épice is a bit of a misnomer
I don't get any "spices" here, this is very much a freshy. On first spray, it instantly reminded me of Nautica's Voyage, so I did a side by side comparison. Turns out, they're really quite distinct, but in the same category. Voyage is linear, more ozonic, blue, synthetic, like a good shower gel. It projects more strongly: on my arms, it easily overpowered Épice.
Épice smells more classic, it has some depth and it's evolving. I get a hint of vanilla, most likely from the benzoin. But the 'clean' notes dominate: the fir, the pine, the lavender. The dry down is a bit soapy.
There is that familiar Honoré Payan DNA note again, which I recognize from their Opoponax. Someone described it as "moth balls", but I to me it's a powdery, 'clean' base note that might be coming from (assuming here) the fir and/or pine, although those are not listed for the Opoponax.
Honoré Payan, the company was founded over 120 years ago. It's a classic French brand that claims to use using local and natural products. The presentation of their products is old fashioned, but I like that. I don't think they do any marketing. The quality is good and they're very affordable. It's definitely worth trying out their samples.
Épice smells more classic, it has some depth and it's evolving. I get a hint of vanilla, most likely from the benzoin. But the 'clean' notes dominate: the fir, the pine, the lavender. The dry down is a bit soapy.
There is that familiar Honoré Payan DNA note again, which I recognize from their Opoponax. Someone described it as "moth balls", but I to me it's a powdery, 'clean' base note that might be coming from (assuming here) the fir and/or pine, although those are not listed for the Opoponax.
Honoré Payan, the company was founded over 120 years ago. It's a classic French brand that claims to use using local and natural products. The presentation of their products is old fashioned, but I like that. I don't think they do any marketing. The quality is good and they're very affordable. It's definitely worth trying out their samples.
Smells beige, not orange.
The opening is quite nice, with the freshness of bergamot and the sweetness of Lily of the Valley. There's a whisper of frankincense, though I doubt there's any of the actual stuff. Ten minutes in, I did get 
Boswellia Scotia for a brief moment, but mixed with artificially flavored whipped cream from a can, and unfortunately this linear, artificial note lingers.
In the dry down after the fresh and woody notes have faded, there's the familiar cozy, comforting waft of benzoin resin in hot almond oil. Gourmand, yes, but not too sweet. This is a warming, calming fragrance. I'd like to see how it fares in colder days.
The metal bottle was designed by the Game of Thrones production designer... No, it wasn't, but that's what it's giving: Poison vial. Magic elixir. It's over-the-top ridiculous, like merch from a D&D shop and I love it.
Update: Swiss Arabian's Incense 01 (2025) smells strikingly similar to
Derviche II.
Boswellia Scotia for a brief moment, but mixed with artificially flavored whipped cream from a can, and unfortunately this linear, artificial note lingers. In the dry down after the fresh and woody notes have faded, there's the familiar cozy, comforting waft of benzoin resin in hot almond oil. Gourmand, yes, but not too sweet. This is a warming, calming fragrance. I'd like to see how it fares in colder days.
The metal bottle was designed by the Game of Thrones production designer... No, it wasn't, but that's what it's giving: Poison vial. Magic elixir. It's over-the-top ridiculous, like merch from a D&D shop and I love it.
Update: Swiss Arabian's Incense 01 (2025) smells strikingly similar to
Derviche II.
