Kus Kus
Bourbon French Parfums (1843)

This is a very oriental style fragrance. As mentioned before it's old school. It has great longevity and silage. I revel in the thought that this concoction is one that began in 1843. Even though it's old it's not something that you'll find many women wearing. I think they just don't know about it yet. I purchased this online and haven't been to the store in New Orleans. I'd probably be a kid in a candy shop if I got to go to the store. So, online will have to do for now.

KUS KUS (1843)

Kus Kus is the initial offering of the house of Bourbon French Parfums, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, upon opening its doors in 1843 under the name Doussan French Perfumery. Kus Kus was created by owner, August Doussan.

This is a complex floral parfum, a medley of notes, all beautifully blended to give an over-all impression of a nosegay of spring flowers. It is subtle, fresh and slightly spicy. No notes are provided, so it is a guessing game, but I do detect muguet, rose, carnation, galbanum, lavender and vanilla. A potpourri of freshly cut flowers mixed with gentle spices.

As seemingly the first multi-floral parfum, it precedes Houbigant's Quelques Fleurs by 70 years. Kus Kus is a delightful find and a worthy addition to the boudoir of any lover of vintage florals.

Rum. Ginger. Cinnamon. Coriander. Cloves. Rose. Galbanum-vibe. Carnation accord. Geranium, too. There is a woodiness here, a dark herbal thing - patchouli or sandalwood. The whole thing is warm; not particularly dry. Something earthy as well. Musky, mossy, animalic underneath.

This is old-school. Absolutely no modernity here.

Civet, castoreum, what animal scent this is, is strong. Big oakmoss accord, too. Powdery notes? I get none of that here. It is rather dry though.

This is a perfume's perfume. Bold, retro, unabashed. Gentleman's juice or hooker's lure.

There is a green lavender or peony accord. sharp. There are burnt almonds. The notes are like fireworks - they burst at you one at a time, drift downward, then burst again. It also becomes sweet later, with amber perhaps. Amber blended with vanilla.

The listed "notes" on the website are misleading. They are kept secret. There is more than spice here, or powdery notes. Eventually, a powdery-ness, dryness, does present itself. A heliotrope accord rises. Everything settles and calms down and becomes drier. Still, a hint of green and spice lurk below. Kus Kus is an entertaining fragrance. It's complicated and it is long-lasting. It smells of another time and place.

After a time, it reminds me of Royal Bain de Caron Champagne. Worth a try, for the retro factor.