Fragrance carrying just isn’t normally one thing meant to occur on a selected day. It’s meant to be worn on many various days with the one form of restriction based mostly on the temperature outdoors. Then there are the exceptions. One in every of solely two perfumes I do know of with the French phrase for Noel within the identify Etat Libre D’Orange Noel au Balcon is a gorgeous Vacation fragrance.
My getting my fingers on Noel au Balcon was one among my first forays into having somebody convey me again a fragrance whereas visiting Paris. Noel au Balcon was launched in 2007 completely to French Sephora. I’d discover out about it on the perfume dialogue boards at Basenotes quickly after. After some piteous cajoling I used to be despatched a pattern by a form soul. Which was the worst factor as a result of it was what I hoped it could be. I’d spend the subsequent 12 months determining methods to rating a bottle which I did within the early fall of 2008. After the 2008 Vacation season it was discontinued. Till it returned in 2010 as a part of the everlasting Etat Libre D’Orange assortment. This has change into my Christmas scent of the day (SOTD) on both December 24th or 25th. This 12 months it is going to be my Christmas morning scent.
Antoine Maisondieu
Noel au Balcon comes from the start of a French proverb, “Noël au balcon, Pâques aux tisons.” This interprets to “If the climate is gentle at Christmas it is going to be chilly at Easter”. In Poodlesville it’s unseasonably gentle so possibly a chilly Easter is on its method. Perfumer Antoine Maisondieu has created probably the most fascinating gourmands I personal redolent of the candy treats, spices, and alcohol of the Season.
Noel au Balcon opens on a honey drenched fruit accord of orange and apricot. Every time I spray this on I see a slice of candied apricot or orange coated in viscous honey. The extra I’ve seen honey-based fragrances go off the rails I’ve come to understand the restraint M. Maisondieu makes use of. This restraint is additional displayed within the coronary heart as cinnamon gives spicy distinction with clove and cumin as its operating mates. If you take a look at these three notes the center of Noel au Balcon may very well be a strident muddle. M. Maisondieu makes use of the clove and cumin to maintain the cinnamon from turning into an excessive amount of like Purple Hots sweet whereas retaining the fiery nature. It’s a one-of-a-kind cinnamon accord. The bottom returns to a bit of soothing sweetness with vanilla and musk which overlay a darkish earthy patchouli. As soon as this all comes collectively I all the time really feel like this evokes a kind of sterling silver punch bowls full of mulled wine full with orange slices floating on prime.
Noel au Balcon has 12-14 hour longevity and average sillage.
As a lot as I take pleasure in Noel au Balcon on Christmas it’s a year-round selection for me and you may even catch me in a Christmas temper carrying it out for the night in July. Merry Christmas to all of the readers of Colognoisseur and I hope you’re carrying a fragrance which is able to make the Vacation memorable for you.
Disclosure: This overview relies on a bottle I bought.
–Mark Behnke
