Les Inédits : Lavande Ombrée
Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger (2013)

Yuk. I was expecting something dominated by lavender, and was greeted by this melange of dirty herbs instead. Smells more like something you would sprinkle on top of your pizza.

I spilt a few drops - and the air filled with the amazing aroma. Then I sampled it on my skin: the lavender is one of the best I have experienced for quite a while: typical, rich, a hint creamy and intensive. The creaminess is enhanced by the cinnamon in the drydown, and a lovely rose - medium bright - seconds the dominant lavender.

The lavender is fuller than Creed's Royal Scottish version, and at times reminds me of the old Guerlain creations, but without the Guerlainade, of course. And not really powdery at any stage. Quite a sensational lavender.

The base takes on an ambery character with hints of honey and cedar and a fairly light musk, fading out gracefully.

The perfomance is top class: strong sillage, excellent projection and a tremendous longevity of thirteen hours on my skin.

A masterclass lavender, made of ingredients if the highest quality and beautifully blended, in spite of giving the lavender unashamedly the centre stage. A great spring creation. 4.25/5.