New Niche Fragrance Review: Parfums MDCI Cuir Garamante + Fragrant Catacombs Draw

mdcicuirgaramante

Every September provides me with vicarious joy as I read the reports coming in from Pitti Fragranze in Florence. As I read what people think and discover my mental checklist begins to be populated with the perfumes I am most excited about trying. From the 2013 edition right at the top of my list were the two new releases from Parfums MDCI, Cuir Garamante and Nuit Andalouse. I thought it would be another few weeks before I got to try either of these but then I got a pleasant surprise as I walked into Osswald NYC on Sunday morning of the recent Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2013. I asked as I entered “What’s new?” and then I spotted the bottle with the bust as a cap and there was Cuir Garamante.

germa-ancient-town-3

The Ruins at Germa- The Ancient Capital of Les Garamantes

Claude Marchal, the owner and creative director, of Parfums MDCI has always directed the perfumers who create the fragrances for his line to take the familiar and make it unfamiliar. Cuir Garamante’s name comes from Les Garamantes a lost tribe of the Sahara. Their lasting mark on the region was the development of a series of interconnecting tunnels which transported water called Foggaras. I found that inspiration especially apt as I wore Cuir Garamante. On the surface it is an ambery leather fragrance but underneath that template there is a lot going on beneath as spices, flowers, and woods tunnel within and without through the amber and leather.

berlin_marchal

Claude Marchal (Photo via Frangipani blog)

Right from the first moments the leather is in place and it is joined by amber in the presence of ambrox. The ambrox and leather accord blend together like hand in glove. Then a bit of nutmeg tunnels its way onto the top. As it subsides a berry note, identified as rose berry in the official notes, comes forward. Then saffron completes the spicy catacomb under the foundation. Rose, oud and papyrus add wood and florals with a bit of watery green to further decay the leather and amber. The final interstices are provided by vanilla, sandalwood, and incense. This sense of notes which interact and sort of undermine the strong core of the fragrance make Cuir Garamante a constantly evolving fragrance on my skin.

Cuir Garamante has all day longevity and average sillage.

Once again Parfums MDCI has provided an unusual look at something familiar. This time M. Marchal allowed a subterranean sabotage of the central accord to create something much greater than just a leather and amber fragrance. It is a fantastic addition to the Parfums MDCI family.

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample provided by Osswald NYC.

Thanks to Claude Marchal we have a sample of Cuir Garamante to giveaway. This is an international draw. To be eligible leave a comment on either your favorite Parfums MDCI or which one you might like. The draw will end on November 11, 2013.

We announce the winners only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

-Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


79 comments

  • wefadetogray says:

    The only one I have tried and which I love is peche cardinal. I bought a sample to enjoy during the summer and I adore it. Its on my must buy list for sure.
    Thanks for this draw!

  • Cuir Garamante sounds amazing! I have not tried any of the other MDCI perfumes, and it is pretty tough to choose just one I might like. I would love to try La Belle Helene. Thank you for the draw.

  • Peche Cardinal is in my top 5 favorite perfumes. Maybe top 3. Les Garamantes sounds very interest though.

    Thanks!

  • I have always wanted to try Invasion Barbare, just haven’t gotten to it. Cuir Garamante sounds great, thanks for the draw.

  • I have had this on my list to try as well! I enjoy quite a few of the MDCI line but, my favorite so far is probably La Belle Helene. Thanks for the draw!

  • I would love to try this — a leather from this house! Wow. My favourite is La Belle Helene, which I know there is not a whole lot of love for out there. But it always puts a smile on my face.

  • ooh! new MDCI!! my favourite is Chypre Palatin. would love to be in the draw to try this new MDCI. Thanks for the review and the draw!

  • The one I’ve been wanting to try is Chypre Palatin; I think I would love it. I also enjoy La Belle Helene.

  • Le Rivage des Syrtes, a nice fruity fragrance with just a touch of incense and vanilla. Thank you for the draw

  • I have not tried any from MDCI, but I would love to test Invasion Barbare. Thanks for the draw!

  • I think my favourite might be Invasion Barbare, although I’ve not had enough time with it on my skin. Chypre Palatin is definitely not my thing. I’d like to try more of them and Cuir Garamante sounds interesting,
    ty

  • Marcopietro says:

    The whole MDCI line is great, my favorite is Invasion Barbare, it’s simply wonderful!
    Thanks for the draw!

  • MDCI sounds fascinating but have only tried La Belle Helene. I quite like it and just dug out my sample.
    But I would love to try this leather!
    Thanks for including us international readers.

  • Chypre Palatin is absolutely stunning,but the whole line is fantastic.I would love to try this new perfume. I live in Ireland

  • I have not tried any of the MDCI parfums but Cuir Garamante must be one of the kind. I love amber and oud combination which appear at first smell but also vanilla and sandalwood must make it truly sensual and exceptional to sense and wear.

  • My absolute favourite MDCI perfume would be La belle Helene- gorgeous pear scent- like sipping ice cold Poire liqueur .. superb! I cannot wait to try Cuir Garamante…
    Thank you for this draw

  • Ambery leather with spices, flowers, and woods. Does that sound gorgeous or what?! Before this, Peche Cardinal was my favorite from this line but Cuir Garamante could replace it quite quickly I do believe. I’d definitely choose this one.

  • I think I would like La Belle Hélène. Sound a bit like Helen of Troy…. 😀

    Thank you for this draw! Wish you all the best!

  • MDCI is one of my favorite houses! Love Enlevement au Serail, Promesse de l’Aube, and La Belle Helene. Can’t wait to try these new ones! Have also not tried Chypre Palatin yet…

  • Haven’t tried MDCI scents and I find it impossible to select just one that I might like based on the notes, so I have to go with Chypre Palantin and Promesse de l’aube and, of course this new leather and amber.

  • I haven’t tried the whole line, but I enjoyed Invasion Barbare and the gorgeous Enlevement au Serail.

  • Sarah Lathrop says:

    I think Chypre Palatin is amazing.
    I love leathers and would be thrilled at the chance to smell this newest release. Thanks for the draw!

  • I have had the pleasure of once sampling Invasion Barbare. Your description of Cuir Garamante makes it sound amazing.

  • I haven’t done much sampling of this line, but I think La Belle Helene might be my favorite of those I’ve tried. The opening is a bit rough for me, but the fuzzy osmanthus drydown is to die for.

  • I haven’t sampled anything of MDCI yet, but I guess I would like Chypre Palatin, as it looks like a balmy chypre; but I also like to try Cuir Garamante.

  • This sounds like a lovely addition to the line. Chypre Palatin is my favorite to date but I found myself craving Le Rivage de Syrtes in the warm weather. Thank you for the draw!

  • Without a doubt my 2 favorites (can’t pick just one) is Invasion Barbare & Chypre Palatin. Oh these are so wonderful. Cuir Garamante has to be equally as excellent. Thanks a million. In the USA.

  • I have never tried anything by MDCI, but know I would just love Un Coeur en Mai; Chypre Palatin is also one on my to try list.
    Thanks for the give away!

  • helical gnome says:

    I have not tried any of the MDCI perfumes however, La Belle Helene sounds divine!
    Thanks.

  • I havent tried any yet but I went to their website and just an empty bottle will do!! but Ambre Topkapi sounds amazing for sure.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    The fragrance featured here and Promesse de l’Aube both
    sound good, though I unfortunately haven’t smelled any of their perfumes.

  • My favorite MDCI perfume is Invasion Barbare. I would love the opportunity to try this new fragrance Cuir Garamante. I’m quite the fan of amber and leather. Thanks so much for the draw!

  • My favorite MDCI perfume is Peche Cardinal. I would love to find a new leather scent! Thanks for the draw!

  • julesinrose says:

    I have not tried any of MDCI, but I’m most curious about Chypre Palatin. Of course, I’d love to try this, too!

  • I’m a huge fan of Enlevement au Serail, and would love to try Cuir Garamante. It sounds wonderful. Thanks!

  • I live in the USA, and my favorie MDCI perfumes are Chypre Palatin and La Belle Helene. Thanks as ever for the draw!

  • I have not tried many of the line, but Invasion Barbare smelled wonderful on my husband! I would love to try the Cuir Garamante, as I love leather scents.

  • I haven’t tried any MDCI, but I have been longing to acquire some Invasion Barbare! Cuir Garamante sounds like it will indeed go on my to-sample list. Thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • Parfums MDCI is one of my favorites. I love chypre palatin and I know I would love Cuir garamante too. Thank you for the drawing.

  • I have not had the pleasure of sampling any fragrances from MDCI, but I do love leather and this sounds delightful. Thanks for the draw.

  • I have not been lucky enough to get the chance to try any of the MDCI scents but I love leather scents and would love to try Cuir Garamante very very much 🙂 Thank you for the chance!!

  • MDCI is such an excellent line, and I love several fragrances but my favourite is Promesse de L’Aube- which must be one of the most beautiful perfumes is know.
    I’m very excited about this new release. Thank you so much for this draw.

  • I’d love to try Péché Cardinal! I think I tried Rivage des Syrtes some time ago but I don’t remember anything about it (it was probably years ago…)

  • I’d love any of them, but La Belle Helene had me at osmanthus and patchouli. The new release is exciting news. Thank you for the draw.

  • I have not tried anything from this house yet, but Cuir Garamante might be the one I most want to try. The name itself seems so sexy to me, would love to see how this turns out on my husband. Thank you for the draw.

  • This new one sounds very interesting. I do love a good leather perfume. I’ve always wanted to try Chypre Palatin. Unfortunately, MDCI is not that easy to find in my area.

  • I have yet to try any MDCI fragrances but Peche Cardinal has been on my list for over a year. I’d really like to try all of them, Cuir Garamante included! Thanks for the lovely draw.

  • I must admit that I don’t know any of MDCI compositions. But considering notes, Cuir Garamante is definitely my cup of tea 🙂
    Thanks for this draw.

  • I barely have access to samples of MDCI but I liked a lot “Chypre Palatin” and would love to try an undermined leather

  • My beloved Invasion Barbare! My sample is empty but I still remember the beauty, and now Cuir Garamante can be my new MDCI love, sounds interesting.
    Thank you for the draw

  • My beloved Invasion Barbare! My sample is empty but I still remember the beauty, and now Cuir Garamante can be my new MDCI love, sounds interesting.
    Thank you for the draw

  • my favorite MDCI is Chypre Palatin – I wish I had a bottle. Thanks for the draw! I am in the US.

  • I’ve had a Invasion Barbare sample and it was quite amazing! I would love to own a full bottle of it.

  • It’s hard to choose a favorite from MDCI, as I love so many. I’d have to narrow it to La Belle Helene & Chypre Palatin. Cuir Garamante sounds fantastic. Thanks for the draw!

  • Saffron, leather, amber, woods, vanilla…Cuir Garamante sounds like my favorite! I like the image of subterranean fragrance currents.
    Many others appeal, like La Belle Helene, Ambre Topkapi, and especially Promesse de l’aube. Vêpres Siciliennes intrigues me also…
    Thank you for the review and draw.

  • Never tried any of MDCI, but heard so many good things about Duchaufour’s Chypre Palatin. Thank you for the draw!

  • I live very much Chypre Palatin but this new jewel from MDCI sounds promising and something I would enjoy.

  • I haven’t tried any MCDI but the bottles are beautiful! Would love to look into this line. Looking at the descriptions, I think I might like Rose de Siwa, Enlevement au Serail, and Ambre Topkapi. I’m in the US, thank you for the draw!