Patchouli
Réminiscence (1970)

The paragon of patchouli scents: this is colossal, slightly boozy, almost chocolaty, and utterly sensual.

Reminiscence Patchouli can dispel ones notions of patchouli due to its accompaniments of sandalwood adding creamy woodiness and tolu balsam bringing a cinnamic, vanillic hue to balance out the rough earthiness and mustiness of the patchouli.

This baby can be worn year round and is definitely unisex.

A straightforward unisex patchouli fragrance that seems a little thin if compared to Jovoy's Psychedelique or Montale's Patchouli Leaves. It's in the same vein though, earthy with a velvet chocolate nuance. Reminiscence is much more affordable and still cuts through a cold day with style. A thumbs-up.

Bought a 200ml bottle and just received:
Looks like Brutus but has the strength of Olive.
I have a bottle of jovoy psychedelique to compare.
Don't believe the hype.

Released in 1970 and still going strong, Reminiscence is a stalwart of the scene – thanks to a well judged compromise.

It's not a Hippy patchouli, although it stems from their penchant for stink-covering scents.
It's not a grassy patchouli of the Guerlain school, nor a stark patchouli like Santa Maria Novella. With a dose of Amber it takes the middle way; there's an edge of camphor but it's sweet and respectable too.

I can't confirm this, but apparently, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote 'a faultless style sends you to sleep, defects rouse and excite sensibility'.
Where other Patchouli-Ambers may put you to sleep, it's the roughness in this which arouses the interest.

This is a straightforward patchouli with very good balance between raw, green, earthy, woody, and smoky elements. In fact it is quite a bit polished in the sense that it doesn't come across as unfinished, however it's still reasonably gritty. Also, among straightforward patchoulis it is one of the best, and is a viable alternative to a good patchouli essential oil. There is a slight camphoraceous aspect during the first phase, however thereafter it becomes more settled on skin. It stays on linear, but reveals interesting facets of the material every now and then. Sillage is average but persistent, and duration is good at over six hours.

Reminiscence Patchouli is mandatory sampling for anyone, and a very attractive proposition for anyone looking to add a patchouli workhorse to their arsenal. Additionally, it is more affordable compared to many other patchouli fragrances on the market. The (somewhat) low rating, more than anything else, is reflective of personal taste when it comes to linear straightforward patchoulis.

3.5/5

Simply a great and well balanced (averagely dry) earthy patchouli with some cedar in the mix in order to keep on plain the earthy opacity and with a slightly boozy/eliotropic amber insertion plus a touch of white sandalwood in order to lay down a bed of soft (moderate) sweetness and comforting powder. A touch of white florals provides an ethereal vibe to the composition and hints of citrus (a touch of bergamot) set the right amount of classicism. The aroma is fairly earthy-angular in the right way, aristocratic, spicy, never aggressive and finally (slightly) talky. Really an high quality patchouli on the side of the decadent Patchouli Noir Il Profvmo, Etro Patchouly, the great Patchouly Indonesiano by Farmacia S.S Annunziata, Mazzolari and the other famous patchoulies around.