Inoubliable Elixir Patchouli by Reminiscence

Fruit of Exchange caught me off guard: I was giving patchouli a pass, since it’s not my favorite note, but after a few days of testing it, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s unforgettable, just like its name. Alongside Jungle, I think these are scents we should try at least once in our lives. It won’t appeal to everyone, and I’m not saying you have to buy it, but it’s a perfumery adventure I’m glad I didn’t miss. It smells like a very natural patchouli in all its glory, with a potent and intoxicating opening. Warm spiced woods join the liquor: balsam of Peru, myrrh, sandalwood, and vanilla make up the base. It’s a hot, resinous, smoky, and dry patchouli. A dirty, strong vetiver note follows. The patchouli turns damp, sandy, and dark, as if sinking your hands into a bag of rich soil or walking through a forest after the rain, stepping in mud and wet leaf litter. Musk, cedar, tonka bean, and bursts of vanilla add sweetness and a powdery freshness. It’s a carnal scent, like warm, sweaty skin. I’d give it at least three diamonds. It’s an incredibly aromatic and balsamic fragrance you can’t help but smell because it intoxicates from a distance; there’s no use hiding. A sweetly oriental, spiced, earthy, and woody patchouli. Unisex, though I think it leans more masculine, with an insane trail and longevity of over 12 hours. Perfect for the coldest nights because it warms you to your very soul. I don’t see it as very versatile; better as a personal or intimate perfume to enjoy whenever you feel like it, or apply just a tiny amount so as not to overwhelm those around you. The bottle is very hippie, looking like it was designed by a child. Be careful, because its dark liquid can ruin light-colored clothes. It reminded me of those bell-bottom jeans, the foreigners (guiris to us) at their campgrounds with those caravans from the 70s, their aromatic cigarettes tied so poorly, and my friend Corina’s two-horsepower Citroën, painted with daisies on a purple background, which became our second home and barely got us anywhere. During fair week, we tuned it up and the daisies gave way to spots; we went in camouflage, heh, heh, heh. What times those were. Reminiscence surprises me again, another undervalued brand I want to keep exploring.