Unlisted Brand • Histoires de parfums 1740 Marquis de Sade • Fragrances

chrystelica on 12/25/2010 1:32:00 PM more reviews by chrystelica

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This doesn't smell particularly masculine or strong on my skin, but is a rich, dry spice with hints of leather at the base. It blends together nicely and nothing stands out too much. It's very hard to describe what I'm getting.... a spiced patchouli, slightly resinous, it is dark but not at ALL dirty or musky but clean, polished, presentable.
The labdanum is dark, not thin or fizzy, the vanilla is oh-so-slight, gives an indication of pipe tobacco but only a hint. I get no citrus, amber or fruitiness the women are describing. The cardamom and davana are nearly indetectable. Mostly a warm patch and labdanum blending together like a wisp of smoke in a dark room.
Not at all what I was expecting, but it is lovely nonetheless. Much more presentable for close quarters and even alluring, not at all disgusting. I'm thinking more of a polished, seductive Captain Hook image than Marquis de Sade. And I do enjoy his writing and ideas, just in case anyone cared =) hehe

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FairBlair on 8/23/2010 6:17:00 PM more reviews by FairBlair

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I think of this one as an amber fragrance, not a tobacco, "dirty," leathery, or spicy one. It's not as powdery or vanillic as some amber fragrances, but if you don't like amber fragrances that I suggest sampling this one first. I'm a leather fragrance fan and don't get any here (The Knize Ten is one of my favorite fragrances, leather or just in general). Some have said there is a maple syrup thing going on here, and that certainly makes sense. For me, it's not quite that gourmand though. In any case, it's mostly a big soft blob, if that makes sense to anyone! Yes, there are spices, but they certainly are not overwhelming. After a few hours the amber quiets down significantly, but no other note really steps up It's certainly a pleasant blend, with good projection and longevity, but on the negative side, it's not one I find myself drawn to. Perhaps once a year I would like to experience it, and my sample can accomplish that for a long time. Note: I gave the packaging quality a 5 even though I don't know what it looks like.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tessture on 7/16/2010 1:29:00 PM more reviews by tessture

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Light very dry leather with spices and a slight hint of masculine citrus. It's really wonderful, but not nearly dirty or cruel enough for the Marquis de Sade. I figure this is more a Mr. Darcy. Possibly a Mr. Knightly.

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*TOP REVIEWER* swampbird on 12/1/2009 3:11:00 AM more reviews by swampbird

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Oh my. After a sharp opening, this goes straight to tobacco on me... stale cigarettes... maybe an old ashtray... this definitely smells dirty on me, like the morning after a drunken escapade at the smokiest bar in town. It's dry, it's woody, and there's something about it that I imagine would be kind of rubbery and chewy like old beef jerky, if smell could have a texture. I usually go for oddball, masculine, heavy fragrances, but this clearly does not agree with my chemistry.

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jimmyfresno on 1/7/2008 11:18:00 PM more reviews by jimmyfresno

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This scent is a wonderful example of being a unisex fragrance that I would say takes a man's nose to appreciate. For women, it's kind of a simplistic dried fruit over basenote composition, almost gourmand. However for a man who craves depth to his fragrances, this one is amazing.

I do get the wonderful prune topnote, a note I happen to love. It rounds out to a labdanum/patchouli combination that I could see being labeled "leather" in broad perfumista parliance, but this is no leather fragrance to me! Its evolution leads to one of the best showcases I have experienced for one of my favorite baseontes: cured tobacco leaf.

I would say in its own way it rivals Creed Tabarome Private Label, which takes an oakmoss/musk spin on the same subject.

With its tobacco/prune/labdanum evolution, 1740 offers only the most transparent of white musk notes, which allow it to remain transparent throughout its drydown.

My only criticism of this wonderful scent, and it is a minor one, is that it evolves into a slight powderiness, which I don't like, perhaps from some amber used in the composition.

This powdery quality, which follows its boozy fruity opening, are what allow it to remain truly unisex.

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supermarky on 7/5/2007 4:45:00 AM more reviews by supermarky

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Roland Barthes says love can come by indication. I didn't immediately go for this but then two people who strike me as refined and talented had a big reaction to it and finally I did too and wonder why I didn't embrace it immediately. It's sort of like sweet rotting wood or undergrowth in darkness in the woods. Very strong and emphatic in every way. I'm sorry I swapped some decants away but I have plenty to last a good while. :)

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