Tempo
Diptyque (2018)

One of the sheerest, most polite patchouli-forward perfumes I've ever smelled, all that note’s potential for burnt cocoa/black garden dirt/unwashed sheets maximalism modulated to discreet, luxe-hippie levels. Could easily have been an Aveyda scent, or something to pump into the air of "sustainably" built blond-wooded boutique hotels. Saving my small sample to wear while I swan about for a few hours at the farmer’s market on a humid Saturday morning, decked out in a cotton gauze peasant dress and beat up Birkenstocks.

Three things made me think I'd fall in love with Tempo. First, I love patchouli in all shape and form. Second, people say that Tempo reminds them a little of L'Instant de Guerlain Pour Homme Eau Extreme (2005 version), a bottle of which my husband and I happily drained between us over the course of 2016. Third, Diptyque has consistently given me winners in specific genres over the years - Eau Duelle is one of my favorite vanillas, Eau Lente my top opoponax pick, 34 Blvd St. Germain my favorite fruity-aromatic, and Volutes (EDT) my most beloved tobacco scent.

Yet Tempo isn't the slam dunk I thought it would be. I do like the attempt to freshen the breath of patchouli with mate, violet leaf, and clary sage. My complaint is that there just isn't enough of these notes, or they don't last long enough, for them to truly stand out against the patchouli. The effect is there, momentarily - but I want more of it and for longer. It compares unfavorably to the Guerlain in this aspect, because the anise and citrus notes in LIDGE are so 'roughened', sharp, and prominent that they pierce the cocoa-like density of the patchouli more effectively.

The patchouli in Tempo, deserted too quickly by those amazing 'cut grass' and tannic tea notes, turns to a sweet cacao dust quite quickly on the skin. No amber, thankfully, and no vanilla. Yet, without these traditional anchoring notes, the patchouli-cocoa accord seems to feather off into the ether at hour four. Discretion and ephemerality are characteristics I have come to expect (and appreciate) from Diptyque. And I suppose I appreciate the sleight of hand as applied to patchouli in Tempo (it is not heavy or ambery or headshoppy in the slightest). It is just that, in Tempo, I would have preferred a far less light application of those gorgeous herbal, green notes up top. On balance, I think I'll keep searching for another bottle of the sadly discontinued LIDGE.

Now THIS is a fragrance I can really love! I am not one to chase fragrances made by candle makers, or purveyors of room fragrances; however someone suggested I try Tempo and I'm so glad I did.

Wow...this fragrance is so me, it really is!! I'm not a fan of dark, syrupy patchouli fragrances, nor am I a lover of church-y, masculine incense notes. But Tempo seems to match the best of these worlds and for me, Diptyque gets it completely right!

Initially out of the bottle, I am not a huge fan. Not sure what to expect, I detect strong and overpowering PEPPER (not a fan) and citrus...like fizzy, hit my nose, overpowering pepper & fizz. Pushing through, a delightful blend of patchouli emerges, patchouli that is balanced by violet leaf, Cleary sage and mate. I imagine the mate, sage & violet leaf even out the intensely dark & syrupy nature that can be patchouli, thus contributing to the unique balance of this beautiful & delightful scent.

Not so sure what makes this read "incense" on my skin but for some reason, I frequently detect that fragrance, or note (which I love). Now, I am not a perfume expert but I imagine the addition of sage & mate give this fragrance its balance of herbaceous burning incense.

Hours into my application, I find myself sniffing my forearms & wrists. Hours in, wafts of smooth, soothing patchouli with mild incense elements frequently hit my nose. I would say longevity is pretty good at 6-8 hours and silage is moderate. This is not a fragrance that remains close to the skin, nor does it scream 60's hippie, or head shop. To my nose, while the patchouli is definitely present, the sum of the parts makes this fragrance special.

In general, I like this patchouli fragrance a lot. I'm going to give it a few tries because in the end, it may be full-bottle worthy for me.

The opening blast is bright and cheery, with bergamot and a violet-leaf-impression greeting me right from the start.

This friendly greeting leads over into the drydown soon, with a green slat appearing, which starts off a bit herbal; clary sage and whiffs of fresh grass are noticeable at this stage. Soon a fresh mate impression arises, but in never really moves into the foreground on me.

Then the main player makes its appearance, a bright and mildly crisp patchouli impression, which is probably the most important in the olfactory creation overall. Towards the end touches of white pepper arise, and whilst the intensity of the overall mix weakens with time, at the end the pepper, accompanied by a dusty and earthy-woodsy undertone constitute the final impressions the prevail on me.

I get moderate sillage, very good projection, and ten hours of longevity on my skin.

This spring scent is nice and pleasant, with few original touches that, however, are not particularly titillating. Still, it is crafted quite well, not too generic, and overall a good experience. 3/5

Tempo is a mature patchouli kept warm by mate and kept modern by a screaming pink-pepper-reinforced violet leaf that -- unfortunately because it's my favorite note in the composition -- is much more prevalent on paper than my skin.

The frag is unlike anything else I've smelled while the bergamot, violet, and pepper are around. Too bad they aren't around longer. At that point what is left is a patch/powder that is familiar but not a retread -- mature but not old. Unique, but not quite special. Right before the end, the powder clarifies into a warm lavender that rides into the sunset.

It's a perfectly nice patch that defies convention just enough to be an entertaining wear as well as eschew whatever associations patchouli brings immediately to mind.

Tempo, to me, is a mature, dusty, aromatic, spicy scent that stars patchouli, but not in a screaming way. Once you get past the busy opening (tea, bergamot, violet), this has a warm, comforting feel in the drydown. Too mature for me because of the patch but not a bad scent, not at all.

These mature smells don't feel good in high heat so Tempo seems best for cooler weather. Also, more dressed up than casual.

Performance is good, decent projection and longevity in the 7-8 hours range.