Year: 2013
Notes: grapefruit, orange, rhubarb, Granny Smith apple, pink pepper, vetiver, cedar, amber, sandalwood, musks
Another Olfactive Studio release, another strong sense of déjà vu...
Flash Back is partly about the rhubarb, which smells very natural and, when coupled with the citrus accords, is fresh, youthful and uplifting. The composition opens with a blast of these succulent fruits, while the apple yields some extra green flourishes.
It's only when the pepper and vetiver transpire that one senses some parallels with Montale's Red Vetyver and, to a lesser extent, Hermès' Terre d'Hermès. But Flash Back lacks the mineral nuances of Terre d'Hermès, and the vetiver isn't as copious as in Red Vetyver. What really sets Flash Back apart is the luscious rhubarb aspect that weaves throughout its structure, as well as a thinner peppery vetiver premise.
As the vetiver softens, some cedar and amber soon enter the fray. While at this point things start to smell a tad artificial, these two notes serve to add further dimension to the proceedings, rather than attract any attention to themselves. Resting on a bed of white musks, traces of rhubarb can still be detected during the drydown. Once again, staying power is below average with quiet sillage.
Overall, it's far from being considered an essential niche fragrance purchase. An extra star is awarded solely for the citrus and rhubarb combination.
Flash Back is partly about the rhubarb, which smells very natural and, when coupled with the citrus accords, is fresh, youthful and uplifting. The composition opens with a blast of these succulent fruits, while the apple yields some extra green flourishes.
It's only when the pepper and vetiver transpire that one senses some parallels with Montale's Red Vetyver and, to a lesser extent, Hermès' Terre d'Hermès. But Flash Back lacks the mineral nuances of Terre d'Hermès, and the vetiver isn't as copious as in Red Vetyver. What really sets Flash Back apart is the luscious rhubarb aspect that weaves throughout its structure, as well as a thinner peppery vetiver premise.
As the vetiver softens, some cedar and amber soon enter the fray. While at this point things start to smell a tad artificial, these two notes serve to add further dimension to the proceedings, rather than attract any attention to themselves. Resting on a bed of white musks, traces of rhubarb can still be detected during the drydown. Once again, staying power is below average with quiet sillage.
Overall, it's far from being considered an essential niche fragrance purchase. An extra star is awarded solely for the citrus and rhubarb combination.
