TEO CABANEL ALAHINE: Alahine, created by Teo Cabanel house perfumer Jean-Fracois Latty and released in 2007, is a rich, amber-oriental done in a very classic style, blended and balanced so that it wears like a veil with no one note standing out above the others — until it hits the homestretch, then it’s a layer of sweet vanilla frosting to the finish.
It’s a pretty enough fragrance, but when you read the stated ingredients list, you have to wonder if the perfumer fed the formulae for nearly every classic oriental fragrance from the past 100 years into a computer and out belched the average sum: ylang ylang, bergamot, jasmine, Bulgarian rose, neroli, pepper, iris, cistus, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, snnnnzzzzzzzzz.
On the one hand, Alahine reminds me a little of the uber-sultry Roja Dove Enslaved, but on the other hand, the reminder is only in the way that, say, Robby the Robot stomping about the house in pumps and pearls approximates a flesh and blood woman.
Enslaved is a far more accomplished and sophisticated player in the retro-sumptuous fragrance of yore game . . . by magnitudes. Alahine, however, can actually be purchased in the United States and is a fraction of the price of Enslaved. Pivot and jab.
So, my advice is, close your eyes and repeat to yourself that Alahine’s best asset is that it’s an acceptable enough substitute for the stunning but near impossible to get your hands on (unless you’re within shopping distance of the Roja Dove boutique in London) Roja Dove Enslaved, hit the “submit order” button and all will be well with the world.
MONTALE OUD CUIR D’ARABIE: I’m having the same problem with Oud Cuir d’Arabie that I have with the Montale oud fragrances in general — a little too harsh, a little too chemical vapor induction.
I understand that a certain bright harshness to the intro is the nature of the oud essence, but it seems particularly prevalent in the Montale line, and while chemical fumigation is a note that a good number of Montale fanboys/girls appear to enjoy, I’m stating for the record that it isn’t my favorite cup of tea.
The “tobacco, leather and burnt wood dry notes” that allegedly lurk behind the curtain of oud never quite gain the opportunity to breathe, and searching for them within the foghorn swirl is close to an exercise in futility. While the underlying wood and leather notes eventually start to surface about four hours in, by then I’ve written the stuff off and moved on. Obviously, Oud Cuir d’Arabie has a long skin life, but that’s cold comfort when half that lifespan is a tough slog through chemical warfare.
I never thought I’d hear myself saying this, but if you’re looking for an easily wearable oud fragrance, Tom Ford’s Oud Wood might be a good place to start.
***Note: both Alahine and Oud Cuir d’Arabie have very healthy hang times, but Alahine was a way more pleasant experience than the Montale as those hours ticked by.
OFF TOPIC:
More Christmas photos!
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I’ll have to go back and look but I’m reasonaly sure Dr. Morbius never made Robby the Robot wear pumps…
…they were heels and they were fabulous.
Your Christmas decoration photos look fantastic–classy, not flashy. And I’d characterize them as “efficient” rather than “minimalist.”
Okay, getting a hearty chuckle out of the mental picture of a woman wearing vacuum pumps on her feet . . . it rather does give a whole new meaning to pumps and pearls.
And I think you’re right — “efficient” is a much better word. I look at the tree and think, “Hmmmm, should I add something more?” And while the answer could undoubtedly be a resounding YES, there’s a certain satisfaction in saying no.
It’s already dark and the color wheels are turning ’round and ’round . . .
Just received my bottle of Alahine last night, as a matter of fact – only $86.99 for 100ml on fraganceX.com. Such a deal!
Totally agree on Oud Cuir Arabie – way too harsh and chemical for my taste. The only ones I can tolerate nowadays are Montale’s Oud Ambre and Red Aoud. And TF Oud Wood is a really nice scent – will get a bottle of that one day.
That’s exactly what I mean — Roja Dove Enslaved EdP is presently $170.00 for the same size. The parfum spray version of Enslaved runs about $640.00 for 100ml. Of course, the point is moot when you can’t order any to be shipped to the U.S., so I hope you’re enjoying your sultry Alahine very much.
I’ll have to check out the Montale frags you mentioned. I want to think better of Montale than I presently do.
It’s quite ridiculous that Harrod’s won’t ship to the US – Miller Harris and Ormonde Jayne both do, so it can’t be due to postal regulations. I think they just can’t be bothered.
Well, once their domestic sales start to dry up, we’ll see how long they can continue to go without being bothered . . .