Olympia Music Hall by Histoires de Parfums

*****
Year: 2012

Notes: bergamot, lemon, orange, mandarin, pink pepper, black pepper, saffron, liquorice, lilac, freesia, rose, peony, patchouli, vanilla, frankincense, styrax, chocolate, suede, blond woods, musk
Classified as a chypré, one finds this classification strange, as Olympia Music Hall doesn't have any labdanum or oakmoss – two crucial ingredients for a bona fide chypré.

The citrus opening is fresh, luminous and peppery, as it precedes a light, elegant and slightly green floral core. After a while, the pepper still continues to persevere, while a base of suede, woods and synthetic clean musks slowly surface. As for the gourmand aspect, it's very discreet with some liquorice occasionally discerned.

With a touch of cocoa, during the drydown, it's too understated and underwhelming in the longevity department. Yes, the spicy citrus opening is certainly appealing but its all pretty much downhill from there.

And, no, it definitely doesn't smell like a bona fide chypré...


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