NEV2: Initial Impressions, Part One

My package from Luckyscent arrived this afternoon and I don’t have nearly the self-restraint to let these go untested until they each come up on their day for testing. During the first set of niche samples I put my initial impressions up on Basenotes (in this post, to be precise) and it also gave me a bit to work with in my writing, so without further ado…

• CdG Incense Avignon: Very nice woody incense, I was on the fence about Kyoto but this one’s a different creature, it seems lighter and sweeter. Warm, spicy and pleasant. Feeling optimistic about wearing it.
• Le Labo Rose 31: My first experience with Le Labo and this thing is impressive! Rose and a black pepper note dominate the composition, this feels to me more rugged, more wearable for me than Czech and Speake No. 88.
• Dominico Caraceni 1913: Been curious about this one almost from the beginning. It’s nothing like I anticipated, the rose note is much more prominent than I expected, and the cypress seems to carry the base. Not getting much olibanum as is listed. Very puzzling, going to be an interesting one to wear.
• Montale Red Vetyver: I’ve not had great luck with Montale but they’ve all been oud-centric creations in the past. RV is an altogether different creature from those. The Terre d’Hermes comparison is spot on, it came to mind immediately, but there’s also a hay note. Not a barnyard, just damp hay. Interesting, will probably give it a side-by-side wear with TdH.
• Mazzolari Lui: The note pyramid for this one sounded divine. Very rich-smelling but there’s an overpowering animalic note, the ambergris is over-the-top. I’m hoping the story will be different once I get it on my skin but right now I’m holding out much less hope than 10 minutes ago.
• Andy Tauer Lonestar Memories: Sweet Virginia cedar and myrrh vibes, I’m reminded of the “candy shop” opening of Chanel Pour Monsieur Concentree. I think the progression on this one will be quite interesting.

I made it about this far before my nose conked out and I don’t really want to have preconceptions that are wrong from something as simple as olfactory fatigue. In Part Two later tonight I’ll cover Parfums de Nicolai New York, CdG Red Sequoia, L’Artisan Timbuktu, Andy Tauer Une Rose Chypree, 06130 Cedre, and Keiko Mecheri Bois de Santal.