Year: 2013
Notes: bergamot, rum, almond, heliotrope, vanilla, benzoin
Comment: Noir Tropical is part of the Classic Collection
Noir Tropical is Maria's study of vanilla. But unlike the slew of gourmand vanillas out there, it strives to avoid the usual clichés – forsaking "any sickly sweet traits" while remaining "seductive but not suffocating".
The rum opening isn't as boozy as, say, Guerlain's Spiritueuse Double Vanille but nor is the vanilla overly sweet – with a honey sweetness that's akin (both in terms of aroma and density) to Madagascan vanilla absolute. The almond and heliotrope are also well-integrated, possessing sufficient presence without ever overwhelming. Only to be later tempered by some benzoin, gentle wafts of vanilla continue to enchant for several hours.
Where Luberon focuses on lavender absolute, Noir Tropical explores the wonders of vanilla absolute, staying as true as possible to this popular material. Having sampled some vanilla absolutes, in the past, one can honestly attest to its successful and masterful execution. However, it has to be said that it does lack the intensity of her earlier releases (although its lasting power is more than satisfactory).
Based on the above quotes, this was probably intentional but, with Finisterre being of a similar demeanour, one hopes that this isn't indicative of how Maria's future creations will perform. With that said, it's a grown-up vanilla fragrance that all vanilla lovers should investigate.
The rum opening isn't as boozy as, say, Guerlain's Spiritueuse Double Vanille but nor is the vanilla overly sweet – with a honey sweetness that's akin (both in terms of aroma and density) to Madagascan vanilla absolute. The almond and heliotrope are also well-integrated, possessing sufficient presence without ever overwhelming. Only to be later tempered by some benzoin, gentle wafts of vanilla continue to enchant for several hours.
Where Luberon focuses on lavender absolute, Noir Tropical explores the wonders of vanilla absolute, staying as true as possible to this popular material. Having sampled some vanilla absolutes, in the past, one can honestly attest to its successful and masterful execution. However, it has to be said that it does lack the intensity of her earlier releases (although its lasting power is more than satisfactory).
Based on the above quotes, this was probably intentional but, with Finisterre being of a similar demeanour, one hopes that this isn't indicative of how Maria's future creations will perform. With that said, it's a grown-up vanilla fragrance that all vanilla lovers should investigate.
