Adventures with NellyRodi, continued

Today's fragrances are NellyRodi Parfum 5 Gingembre by perfumer Richard Ibanez of ROBERTET with notes of Grapefruit, Saffron, Baie rose, Muscade, Ginger, Incense, Patchouli, Vanilla and Amber

and

Parfum 6 Bois by perfumer Amandine Marie of ROBERTET with ingredients of Cardamome, Caraway, Clove, Birch, Patchouli, Leather, Cedar, Vetiver, Santal, Amber, Musk

Before I put on the Gingembre, I get all comfortable with the idea of ... ginger! What do I get? FRUIT! I really dislike fruit in fragrance. I believe it is the root cause of all cheap-smellingness, fruit. And the note in this fragrance is not distinguishable to grapefruit, which if it had been at its acidic best, say as in a Calyx or, I understand, Pampelune, might have been interesting. This is more of a grape-likeness, or a sweet currant. For two hours: grape koolaid. I forebore getting out the Dawn and attempting to wash it off. Hours later -- and most of these perfumes do get points for their staying power -- there's a faint whiff of patchouli. I never discerned the notes that would have been most appealing to me: Saffron, Incense, Vanilla and Amber. I'd say no to Gingembre. Someone who likes sweet fruit will disagree.

Bois? Lovely from the beginning. You get what you're expecting. Perhaps the only surprise is the deftness with which the perfumer has woven these notes together. And you know they're all there, if not clamoring for attention. There are no harsh collisions ... just an orderly procession of dark spices, cedar and santal. Not exceedingly dry, but not sweet at all. Really a perfect winter fragrance.

Of the six NellyRodi scents I've tried, the two I've liked have been Rhum and Bois, both by Robertet. Both the type of scent you want to gnaw off your arm. It is really apparent that different perfumers, different houses are responsible for this collection -- there is such a love/hate disparity in their appeal.

NellyRodi scores:
MANE = 0 for 2
ROBERTET = 2 for 3
SYMRISE = 0 for 1

Robertet's looking good. Now, on to Rose and Ambre... and who knew Brenda Starr was a perfumista?