Jasmin Angélique by Atelier Cologne

*****
Year: 2015

Notes: Sicilian lemon, Sichuan pepper, Siberian angelica, Persian galbanum, fig, Egyptian jasmine, Somali frankincense, Brazilian tonka bean, white amber

Comment: Jasmin Angélique is part of the Collection Matières Absolues
Jasmin Angélique starts out with a beautiful and vividly green introduction, which is completely captivating and probably one of the best openings experienced in quite some time.

Somewhat peppery, the angelica fuses its herbaceous properties with the intense verdancy of the galbanum to great effect. But what's remarkable is how the astringency of the galbanum has been significantly toned down, without compromising its viridity.

Sandwiched between a shimmering citrus top note and a milky fig-jasmine coupling, the galbanum-led aspect gradually subsides to allow some tonka bean and a touch of frankincense to join the fray. It's also at this stage when the jasmine is given more breathing space.

Resting on a base of amber, a sweet floral ending is inevitable, but subdued peppery and herbaceous nuances are still discernible from time to time. Occasionally, one can also identify the possible inclusion of some cedar but, if this is really the case, the amount employed is thankfully minuscule.

While the name is slightly misleading, due to the heavy influence of galbanum, it does eventually develop into a jasmine and angelica coupling, albeit fleetingly. Personally, one doesn't find such a realisation too concerning, since the composition is still very impressive.

However, one's main issue is with its performance, which could be best described as severely lacking. If it was more tenacious, it would have been rated higher. Still, one has been left quite enchanted nonetheless.


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