Chypré Extraordinaire by Roja Dove

The more perfumes and brands I discover, the more I see the differences: not just in quality, craftsmanship, blend, and ingredients, but also in price. Most Roja perfumes seem good in construction and design, and if you add scents that match my tastes, I consider them excellent. This CE is a totally unisex fruity chypre, with touches of perfume from another era and, at the same time, very current. Upon application, you first notice the aldehydes with a citrus touch; then, while they shine, the fruity aromas arrive (I smell peach) very realistically, slightly sweet, the natural sweetness of a ripe fruit, nothing cloying, with white floral reminiscences. It’s a ‘textbook’ perfume because its phases follow perfumery literature. The middle notes linger with the base for a long time, adding a certain masculinity. CE ranges from slightly feminine to masculine, which is why I call it unisex. For me, I prefer it on spring evenings and nights, with temperatures above 20°C and long days. It suits the cold well; in heat, it can be suffocating. I haven’t found anything similar (maybe only the fruity part of the Haute Luxe from the same house), which makes it unique. Although it seems weak and fleeting at first, its longevity is notable, 10-12 hours, with good sillage and projection for the first four, then it fades on the skin but remains perceptible. The price is brutal, though there’s always the option to try a 7.5 ml vial, whose price also makes you think. Is it fair? Let everyone have their opinion; we live in a world where the creator sets the price. If the brand values their work that way, so be it. It doesn’t stop from being an excellent and interesting perfume: one thing is the perfume, another is the price. Recommended to chypre lovers and fans of perfumes from another time, it’s an experience to enjoy.

Is it a chypre from another world? Chypre Extraordinaire is a floral, non-powdery version of ‘Diaghilev’, drying into oakmoss with a very soft civet. It’s unisex and performs well, very smoothed out and high quality. It’s a chypre very much in the Roja style, but when you factor in the price, it’s hard to justify when Diaghilev costs $815 less and smells more like a perfume; in fact, CE seems based on Diaghilev. Why does Roja think people will spend $1,865 on a chypre that uses the Diaghilev formula, which costs $815 less? Couldn’t they have placed it in the ‘Imperial’ collection with Nuwa, Britannia, and Diaghilev to avoid making it so stupidly expensive? CE is expensive, yes, and it’s not worth it.