Year: 2011
Notes: lychee, mango, blackcurrant, cumin, cardamom, cistus, Turkish rose, frangipani, Madagascan ylang-ylang, jasmine sambac, tuberose, gardenia, vanilla, tobacco, patchouli, cedar, white woods, sandalwood
"This joyful creation embodies every aspect of the very modern, colourful, eclectic, esoteric, ecstatic, liberal, happy side of buzzing India..."
And joyful is how Bombay Bling starts off, with an exuberant and colourful array of fruity accords. The mango is ever so succulent and the blackcurrant adds a slightly green jamminess to the proceedings. With a distinctive creamy undertone being discernible, such an introduction is a mouth-watering olfactory feast.
As it evolves, the vanillic creaminess increases its depth, as white florals and a touch of spices accompany it. With remnants of the fruity top notes still discernible, the overall aroma is akin to that of a deliciously creamy dessert. But, much to its credit, the sweetness is never overwhelming and always manages to remain alluring rather than cloying.
A floral mélange slowly comes more to the fore, adding more complexity to the vanillic sweetness. With rose, jasmine and gardenia being the most identifiable, one can almost briefly detect the aroma of ripe mango skin amongst the dreamy floral creaminess, even though the mango flesh chord has now largely faded.
Resting on a soft base of woods, one doesn't find the woody drydown too intrusive, with possibly the cedar and sandalwood having more prominence. With a woody creaminess, the composition becomes dark and gritty, but still continues to showcase its creamy floral properties until the very end.
While Bombay Bling isn't groundbreaking, what makes it so special are the fruity notes and the luscious floral-vanilla coupling. It's well-composed, evolves seamlessly and leaves a positive lasting impression on the wearer. And although one didn't detect much tobacco in the mix, there was certainly a subtle golden warmth that could be attributed to this accord.
Providing modest projection, it could have been more tenacious. However, with such wonderful olfactory virtues on display, the rating truly reflects Bertrand Duchaufour's mastery when he really hits his stride.
And joyful is how Bombay Bling starts off, with an exuberant and colourful array of fruity accords. The mango is ever so succulent and the blackcurrant adds a slightly green jamminess to the proceedings. With a distinctive creamy undertone being discernible, such an introduction is a mouth-watering olfactory feast.
As it evolves, the vanillic creaminess increases its depth, as white florals and a touch of spices accompany it. With remnants of the fruity top notes still discernible, the overall aroma is akin to that of a deliciously creamy dessert. But, much to its credit, the sweetness is never overwhelming and always manages to remain alluring rather than cloying.
A floral mélange slowly comes more to the fore, adding more complexity to the vanillic sweetness. With rose, jasmine and gardenia being the most identifiable, one can almost briefly detect the aroma of ripe mango skin amongst the dreamy floral creaminess, even though the mango flesh chord has now largely faded.
Resting on a soft base of woods, one doesn't find the woody drydown too intrusive, with possibly the cedar and sandalwood having more prominence. With a woody creaminess, the composition becomes dark and gritty, but still continues to showcase its creamy floral properties until the very end.
While Bombay Bling isn't groundbreaking, what makes it so special are the fruity notes and the luscious floral-vanilla coupling. It's well-composed, evolves seamlessly and leaves a positive lasting impression on the wearer. And although one didn't detect much tobacco in the mix, there was certainly a subtle golden warmth that could be attributed to this accord.
Providing modest projection, it could have been more tenacious. However, with such wonderful olfactory virtues on display, the rating truly reflects Bertrand Duchaufour's mastery when he really hits his stride.
