Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Olympic Amber
panda0410 6/22/2012 11:31:00 PM
Opens deeply resinous, woody, warm, and with a thick overlay of incense. Very quickly into the opening the labdanum becomes present and remains as one of the dominant notes in this fragrance. Benzoin and vanilla make a lovely appearance, softening and rounding off this perfume into a cozy, luxurious, oriental scent. The incense and labdanum in this are prominent, lovely, intoxicating even, but the heavy use of those notes definitely has the potential to be cloying; this isn't a perfume I'd be choosing to wear in the summer. Oriental lovers should have a crack at this one, and I'll be adding this one to my collection
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Ballets Rouges 
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:56:00 AM
I'm not a rose lover, not by any length of the imagination. So I tried this with trepidation and perhaps bias caution.. and was pleasantly surprised. This perfume embraces all the old world charm of pure unadulterated roses, and perhaps some of the old fashion nostalgia lingers as well. The musk is embracing in this, captivating, but not heavy nor overbearing and the oakmoss in this is an absolute delight, making an old world classic a modern treasure. Unlike other modern chypres aldehydes are not screeching at anyone here (rather thankfully!!), and there is a slightly spicy note, almost like a light, pink pepper that lifts the fragrance beyond the doledrums of other heavy flat absolute rose and pure musk fragrances of note. Longevity isn't fabulous unfortunately, a few hours at most before skin, and sillage is quite low. Its also painfully linear, perhaps intentionally, but it is beautifully balanced. I don't find this fragrance overtly complex nor evolving to be honest; rose, musk, moss, light aldehydes and perhaps the labdanum adding some spice about says it all. But the quality in the character of the notes reveals at least some depth, and its far from the cliche of "rose = old ladyish". While its not a casual scent, I could easily see younger sophisticated women, or classy carefree ladies wearing this as well. I've never liked pure rose perfumes in any form, but this beautifully balanced little fragrance is quite captivating and while I don't suppose I could truly love it, I do appreciate it for what it is.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Rose Chypre
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:52:00 AM
Just a note to start, "Rose Chypre" is actually the working name for Ballets Rouges, and I'll add another listing for its release name with the same review as below. I'm not a rose lover, not by any length of the imagination. So I tried this with trepidation and perhaps bias caution.. and was pleasantly surprised. This perfume embraces all the old world charm of pure unadulterated roses, and perhaps some of the old fashion nostalgia lingers as well. The musk is embracing in this, captivating, but not heavy nor overbearing and the oakmoss in this is an absolute delight, making an old world classic a modern treasure. Unlike other modern chypres aldehydes are not screeching at anyone here (rather thankfully!!), and there is a slightly spicy note, almost like a light, pink pepper that lifts the fragrance beyond the doledrums of other heavy flat absolute rose and pure musk fragrances of note. Longevity isn't fabulous unfortunately, a few hours at most before skin, and sillage is quite low. Its also painfully linear, perhaps intentionally, but it is beautifully balanced. I don't find this fragrance overtly complex nor evolving to be honest; rose, musk, moss, light aldehydes and perhaps the labdanum adding some spice about says it all. But the quality in the character of the notes reveals at least some depth, and its far from the cliche of "rose = old ladyish". While its not a casual scent, I could easily see younger sophisticated women, or classy carefree ladies wearing this as well. I've never liked pure rose perfumes in any form, but this beautifully balanced little fragrance is quite captivating and while I don't suppose I could truly love it, I do appreciate it for what it is.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Salamanca
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:51:00 AM
I've been dying to try these perfumes for some months, and recently acquired a lovely and generous sample set (ty!) and had the pleasure of wearing and trying. While Salamanca is not your typical leather fragrance, it is very reminiscent of Hermes Kelly Caleche ~ just on more niche scale. The opening is distinctly leather. Its loud and quite harsh; it has a wet, raw, and rather brutal quality that reminds me of a tannery (minus the chemical component). My stepmother lives 200 yards from a leather tanning factory and the leather in this perfume is an almost copy of wet, raw, tanned hides in production. The labdanum is very prominent, it adds a wet, musty overture, perhaps reminiscent of wet hay that has dried leaving that dried musty grass note, but for me the mustiness is perhaps overdone, at least in the opening. Fortunately it improves with wear time and dulls down to something quite acceptable. Vetiver also prominent adding a smoky earthy quality thats not remotely subtle. Gentle overtures of florals, most notably mimosa - a welcome relief to the initial opening. The drydown is really pleasant, a slightly vanillic/tonka leather scent with a warm resinous balmy but still very smoky note - all the "wetness" found in the top and heart becomes warmer and "dryer" through the drydown, the base is quite cozy. Surprisingly there is strong spiciness found in the base that grows to be come a prominent base note which complements the smoky aroma nicely. The attraction of the spice which is quite unusual comes probably more from the niche quality than the absolute fragrance itself, it seems slightly oddly placed. Sillage good through the first 4 hours or so after that remains close to the skin. Longevity is wonderful, 7 hours after initial application the scent has the same intensity at skin level as at application, and I did apply sparingly. Overall this is something I may end up acquiring a full bottle of. I'm a leather fragrance lover, and this little beauty is no exception. Its a rather complex leather fragrance, though somewhat linear at least until the base evolves, the notes are well blended and I could see myself wearing this like most other leathers I own. Word of caution, use a light hand in application, fortunately unlike cheap generic perfumes this perfume does not need dousing in! And keep your expectations open, this may be a little too niche for most wearers.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Rainforest
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:50:00 AM
A predominantly oakmoass and pine fragrance, it opens with a green freshness to it that's impressive. Fresh, bright pine accords, with heavy oakmoss and an undertone of cedar, all work well together in a balanced accord. A damp earthy, moistness creeps into the fragrance shortly, reminding me of dense, lush undergrowth, in particular, mosses, tree fungi, mushroom and decaying leaf litter, its got a sweet, earthy aroma, and very slightly woody overture thats quite lovely. Later on soft florals make an entrance with the beeswax to round this into a beautifully feminine perfume. Sillage is average, longevity perhaps 3 hrs. Would like better wear time because this is gorgeous. I personally love the smell of oakmoss, its one of my favourite notes of all time and to see a fragrance like this which features it as one of the dominant notes so beautifully and so elegantly, has absolutely captivated me - this perfume will definitely make it my collex as a full bottle to be treasured. As a side note, interestingly enough, my husband who remains largely unimpressed with the entire Olympic Orchids line, actually liked this one, commenting that it was by far the best to him. If you love oakmoss then this will be one to try!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - A Midsummer Day's Dream
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:49:00 AM
An interesting interpretation of notes... it opens quite green, mint and fig leaf, its an unusual combination of notes that works in balance with each other. I wouldn't say the notes are exactly harmonious - but they actually do work together. The black current in this is lovely. One of the things Ive admired about several of the perfumes in the line is the ability to showcase notes that would otherwise be used as supporting accords, not primary notes, in the fragrances, and black current as a primary accord has been used beautifully here. The fig in this, albeit adding a fruity note, only adds to the green accords - to my nose its definitely not the scent of fresh ripe juicy figs, but rather figs just on the cusp of ripening. The amber just melds everything together to create a harmony between the notes. This particular perfume has piqued my interest, and I'm sure I'll be adding a full bottle to the collex at some point.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Kingston Ferry
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:49:00 AM
A surprising, and very welcome, "warm" aquatic ~ I'm officially impressed!! Not your generic, banal, sharp, citrus/floral aquatic.... This aquatic is warm, woody, salty and green. The wood notes are ever present, giving it a rounded warmth, while the watery salt note is prominent - it reminds me of a barely warm sea breeze, the kind where the salt haze sits just off the coast. It has a slightly wet feeling, that reminds me of seaweed on the beach, yet a kind of smokey element as well that I can only attribute to the myrhh. The cedar and tarragon give it a fresh but not cool, green overture, white light, barely there gentle florals linger. I could see myself wearing this in early spring or autumn. I've always avoided aquatics, but this one will definitely make it to my collex as a full bottle. What a wonderful fragrance gem!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Bay Rum
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:48:00 AM
Opens with quite strong bay leaf, sweet rum, and very heavily on the clove. Cinnamon is also clearly noted in the opening; and the cinnamon goes on to endure as one of the showcase notes in this fragrance throughout its entire wear time so users will need to love cinnamon to appreciate this fragrance for its full potential. The clove note fades after some time to become unnoticeable, while light citruses, predominantly orange, rise to give the fragrance a welcome lift. I also get a resinous, woody note, thats light and fresh - it reminds me of pine wood or resin. Light spices linger in the drydown, and I get a hint of neroli from time to time - its delightful! Overall its predominantly a bay and cinnamon fragrance with spices on light citrus and light woods. I wouldn't describe this perfume as bold. For me at least its got a nostalgic, sweet christmassy feeling that reminds me of my nannas kitchen and bakehouses at christmas time - cinnamon, clove, orange, spices, the warmth of the rum, and heavy use of bay leaves. Its sweet, and spicey, but in a way that warms my heart and takes me right back to that time as a child. I personally love it!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Little Stars
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:47:00 AM
Wow!! What a perfume! Opening heavy on the ylang ylang, then clove, and orange, the immediate application reminds me of pure ylang ylang essential oil, but then weaves its way in and around the other notes. Heavy Jasmin, Orange flower, and resin equally balanced in the top and heart, with light woodsy notes in the base, an overall beautiful blending of harmonious notes that complement and potentiate each other wonderfully! The Ylang Ylang is probably the most prominent note, its heavy, hypnotic, and lulls the senses into a dreamy accord, the cedar being what keeps this indolent, lush perfume slightly fresh. Oud very hard to detect, perhaps adding to the slightly medicinal quality that the clove offers. Moreover the clove keeps it spicy and resin only enhances that spice, resin also giving an overture of warmth in the freshness of the cedar and heavy night accord of the ylang ylang, with beautiful florals floating around. I can totally see tropical rainforest on a summer night in this fragrance. Sillage is very low, to skin within an hour or so, and longevity perhaps a few hours, would probably need reapplication some time if long time wear is required. This is not exactly original, it has a very common blend of notes often found and used extensively in aromatherapy, and is a probable safe purchase. The depth of character of the notes in this perfume implies quality and this perfume, original or not, is absolutely fantastic. A must for summer night wear and totally full bottle worthy!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Arizona
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:46:00 AM
Lovely fresh pine fragrance, probably most suited to men, but women could easily wear this. It opens with bright fresh pine and a strong anise accord, that settles fairly quickly into a mostly pine fragrance, thats fresh, aromatic and green. There is a slight peppery note that I attribute to the Juniper in the opening, but like the anise it fades rather quickly to become unnoticeable. Very late in the drydown a gentle floral appears, though it remains largely a pine dominant scent. Sillage is low, longevity around 2hrs.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Siam Proun
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:45:00 AM
Definitely an olfactory experience, this one is not linear, evolving constantly. The opening is dry and bitter, yuzu very prominent in offering a dry, bitter citrus accord thats last the duration of the fragrance, from open to drydown. Theres also a very definite pine accord here, along with a light eucalyptus, though these notes are not listed. Thyme is also prominent for the duration, giving it a slightly green spicy feel. The lavender is most notable as a blend with the orange flower, light florals give this fragrance a welcome lift. I'm a musk fanatic, and theres a hefty dose of musk in this fragrance. Heather is known to be heavily musky in nature, besides offering a slighty mossy and earthy aroma. The overall effect is a musky, yet dry, dominant citrus, on green herbs with light florals. Its warm, perhaps owing to the amber, but not sweet, and not heavy either, it has a light, almost sparkling quality to it despite the depth of the musky, woody and herbacious overtures that is probably owed to the dominance of the citrus. Theres also a pronounced androgeny to this scent. Longevity, like most of the others in this house I've tried, ranges from a few, to several hours. Sillage is strong for the first few hours, so do apply cautiously - while it will captivate the audience of a few, and will probably interest niche lovers, its not a generically pleasing scent. Its an interesting perfume, that, while appreciable, is infinitely better in the drydown than the opening. Jun 07 20
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Carolina
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:45:00 AM
Jeca (Fragrantica) hit the nail right on the head with this perfume, tobacca/hay, some light pine, followed later by heavy honeysuckle and mild magnolia. The opening is definitely hay, and a sweet grassy, but not dry, scent, accompanied by wet tobacco. We had tobacco trees on the property I grew up on, and the smell of fresh, wet tobacco leaves is memorable, and if you crush them rather intense. In this fragrance its gently sweet, unobtrusive, and coupled with the sweet grassy and hay notes is really very pretty. Some light pine accords overlay the opening of this perfume but fade later to become unnoticeable. Light florals begin to emerge, later settling into a heavy honeysuckle accord, like damp night air laden with bloom, the honeysuckle, jasmin and magnolia make the real heart of this fragrance the standout. The jasmin develops rather slowly in this, and later honeysuckle and jasmin dominate the floral notes. Light tonka in the base, its really heart heavy and if you love florals then you will love this. Sillage is nice, longevity like most of the others is just a few hours. Like some of the other perfumes by Ellen Covey this isn't immediate love, while I was enchanted, my husband loathes it. The opening is interesting ~ fragrance lovers that enjoy something different should certainly appreciate it. But once that floral heart opens you can't help but love it.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Gujarat
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:44:00 AM
A masculine and strong oud opening, heavy sandalwood, with tumeric, saffron, and vetiver. It a complex composition, the frankincense and vetiver couple nicely with the saffron and spices, the notes are easily noted, especially in the opening. After a while the fragrance mellows into a smokey, spicy, rose - oud melange, under a smokey frankincense haze with saffron, tumeric and cardamon as predominant notes, and a very mild, light overture of green curry leaf. Mild fruity accords and marigold are late to enter, softening the fragrance even more to become more feminine as wear time progresses. Longevity with this one is great, 7+ hrs easily, and sillage is very nice. Cautious initial application is warranted, the opening may be a little harsh for some users. The quality in this perfume is wildly evident, the notes are complex, deep and luxurious. If you are an oud lover or a fan of herbaceous indian spices then this fragrance will be one to love and own.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Golden Cattleya
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:43:00 AM
I can't help but agree with the reviewers (Fragrantica), this perfume is sublime!! A delightfully captivating warm floral, it opens with honeyed richness and bright cheery narcissus shining through a wonderful blend of notes. Past the opening orange evolves, and I love orange in fragrances, this one is delectable and clearly discernible. Vanilla and musk embrace the entire scent, sandalwood and amber in the base make it balmy. This perfume has a hypnotic quality to it, I could easily find myself lost in the depth and indolence of this fragrance. A must have for oriental lovers, there is absolutely nothing generic about this fragrance. It has a luxurious and very "real" quality, and (packaging aside) I could see it placed well among other "house classics" on the shelves in upscale stores. Brilliant!
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Olympic Orchids Perfumes - Red Cattleya
panda0410 6/22/2012 4:42:00 AM
Opening strong on honey dew melon, one of my favourite summer fruits the note is unmistakable :) Plenty of peach, and light florals, it dries down to a simple lightly musky, peachy-vanillic base with lingering florals. The lilac is probably the most notable floral to my nose, along with the hyacinth, it has a light, slightly aquatic, heady embrace that keeps this perfume fresh and perfect for a spring or summer day. Its a classic combination of notes that has worked well in the past for many others. The sillage is low and longevity short, just a few hours again. Its an observation Ive made across Olympic Orchids perfumes in general and for the price bracket they are being marketed in is something that should be considered before plunging for the full bottle.
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