New Niche Perfume Review: Parfumerie Générale PG 26 Isparta + Pierre Guillaume’s Perfect Purple Rose Draw

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Mystery of the Rose by Neville Dsouza

One of the longstanding quests of many perfumistas is the search for the perfect dark rose. We want a rose scent that is as far from innocent and dewy as possible, laden with dusky patchouli and purple jam. We also want it to refrain from scaring off everyone in proximity. I am pleased to announce that perfumer Pierre Guillaume of Parfumerie Générale has just answered many prayers with the introduction of PG 26 Isparta.

Roses Perfume Making DNKY

Rose Harvest in Isparta, Turkey

Isparta is named after the region in Turkey that is famous for growing roses. The pink roses are picked at dawn when they are half open and at their peak of fragrance, then distilled right away to capture the rich aroma in oil. This spicy, rich rose is used to excellent effect in PG 26 Isparta.

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Sasha Pivavorova: Source queenpoly

When I apply perfume, I usually take a second to just inhale and enjoy and then go about my business. Some perfumes make me stop down for a little bit longer, and really savor the experience. Isparta is one of those. The vivid, deep rose is almost sticky, as though it has been caramelized, but is not overtly sweet. All I can do is breathe myself in and smile, as the dense, honeyed, woody aroma of an excellent agarwood (another term for oud) rises to meet the rose. Just enough fruit has been added to achieve the coveted “jammy rose” effect. When I wore this perfume, I spent a fair amount of time just basking in the aroma. It is a prime example of a deep, purple, sexy rose.

isparta black rose cafleurebon

Black Rose by Michael Creese

Although it may sound like this is a perfume that could be overwhelming, it isn’t. It is actually quite soft after the first half hour or so, and dries down beautifully. The sweetness of benzoin is a perfect complement to the dark aspects of the fragrance. In the hands of a less adept perfumer, these ingredients could have resulted in a fragrance that would overpower the staunchest perfumista. M. Guillaume's master sensibilities have taken these notes and created a perfume that is rich and deep, but has beautifully translucent qualities. I would wear Isparta regularly, with relish and joy. Aside from the new Collection Signature fragrances, this is the first new fragrance in the Parfumerie Generale Collection Numeraires since Djhenne 2012.

Notes: red fruits, summer rose of Isparta, Peru balsam, calamus, patchouli, incense, benzoin, agarwood (oud), ambroxan, musk. Retail Price 100 ml/$179

I received my sample from Parfumerie Générale.

Tama Blough, Deputy Editor

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PG 26 Isparta, which launches today, January 27, 2014,  is available to order through Osswald Parfumerie + Luxury Skincare Boutique in New York for $179 for 100 ml and also in 50 ml for $100. If you don’t see it on the website, call Nik at 212-625-3111. Thanks to our friends at Osswald, we have a carded 2ml spray sample to give to one lucky reader living in the US. Let us know in the comments what appeals to you about this perfume or your favorite Parfumerie Generale  Collection Numeraires Fragrance, and that you reside in the USA. Draw ends January 30. 2014.

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

 

 

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49 comments

  • Judy Woodfill says:

    I love rose perfumes and am eager to try this one. Thank you Tama for your usual insightful review. You have peaked my interest to say the least. I am in the US.

  • You had me a “purple jam!” I love jammy roses and the description of this is exactly what I want in a rose scent. I also love to grow dark purple/crimson roses in the garden, since their fragrance is like no other. Thanks for the draw!

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I’ve never smelled a jammy rose. I’d love to try this, PG is one of my favorite lines. My current favorites are Cadjmere and Djhenne. And I’m in the US.

  • Rose rOse ROSe. In any form any style, I love it. To me its the first source of perfume known to mankind. Rose is the King/Queen of flowers.
    Sign me up.
    USA
    Thanks

  • “Far from innocent and dewy as possible, laden with dusky patchouli and purple jam…” I want to smell this, it sounds amazing!

  • This one sounds lovely.. I love a perfume that makes you stop and breathe in and relax into its aroma. 😉 PG fan as well.

  • I have recently been bitten by the Rose bug and have heard so
    many wonderful things about PG’s perfumes that I would love to give this a try! Thank you for the draw and I am in the US.

  • My favorite PG fragrance is Indochine. Love it! I am in the US and have yet to explore rose fragrances.

  • This is my type of Rose, far far away from dewy and innocent. I like my roses a little roughed up. A bit of woods and spices. So agarwood, patchouli, ambroxan and musk are right up my alley. I’d love to try this one out. I’m in the US and thanks so much for the draw !

  • This sounds lovely. I am a huge PG fan and find it hard to name a favorite among the few I own (my bottle of Indochine has the lowest fill level). I am looking forward to trying this. I am in the US and I appreciate the draw.

  • I am smitten by fragrant old fashioned roses and have many in my garden. I’ve started collecting scents featuring this beautiful flower and would love to add Isparta to my shelf! Thank you
    I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

  • I love every single P.G. fragrance that I have tried.My favorite so far is Djhenne.I am so wanting to try this one.I am in the US.Thank You.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    it’s a rose fragrance which i have been exploring over the last year….finally i think rose belongs in masculin perfumery as well

  • I love everything about this! Rose, dark, jammy… I want it!
    I enjoyed your review! I live in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • A jammy patchouli rose sounds like perfection indeed ! I am in the US , and as you said , I am one always looking for the perfect rose fragrance .

  • I am in the US, and I am still in search of my perfect dark rose. I love the idea of rose, I love the scent of real roses, and I love oud. All that said, I enjoyed reading the review and I would love to try Isparta. Thanks! 🙂

  • Tama, this was a wonderful review and makes me dying to try it. The feat of pulling off rich and deep without being overpowering really appeals to me. I’m in the US.

  • I’m in the US and this sounds so appealing! I love roses. My favorite PG scent are Bois d’Argent and DjHenne.

  • What do I like? ARE YOU KIDDING? You used the words “perfect dark rose” nuff said. Well, there goes another no-buy. sigh.

  • I love rose perfumes now. I never did as a younger adult, but now I find then perfection. PG is one of the best lines out there. I am excited to try this one. USA for me too. Thanks!

  • helical gnome says:

    Everything Pierre Guillaume does is amazing. My favorite are Coze, and Cadjmere.
    Thanks for this draw.

  • wefadetogray says:

    The list of my favorites is long: Felanilla, Indochine, Tonkamande, Louanges Profanes. Coze…etc. A caramelized rose sounds delightful.
    Thanks so much.

  • My favorite Parfumerie Generale scent is Coze. The deep rich scent of Isparta sounds very appealing!

  • The only “rose” perfume I own is Black Aoud. It’s probably because the rose is so darkly mixed with the oud, and it is one of the few roses men can wear without a doubt. Tama’s description of Isparta sounds like it would be right up my alley and I can’t wait to try it next time I have some free time while in NYC.

    I’m in the US and thanks for these draws!

  • Rich, dark roses are among my favorite notes in perfumery, and this fragrance sounds divine. I’d love to try Isparta! •{US}•

  • A spicy, rich rose sounds like the perfect thing to chase away the winter blues! I’m in the US; thanks for the draw.

  • “agarwood (another term for oud) rises to meet the rose” that sounds wonderful, I must smell it! I’m in the us.

  • I am on the search for a dark rose and I am very curious about the Parfumerie Generale line. One scent I know I love from this brand is Coze.
    I live in the U.S.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • I think my favorite may be Djhenne or perhaps Bois Blond. They are both incredible in different ways. I dont like roses in general, only dark, scary ones. Cannot wait to try what Pierre Guillaume has created.
    Im in the US
    Thanks!

  • The idea of Pierre Guillaume creating a jammy rose makes me swoon! My favorite PG is Cadjmere. Well – I love Coze as well. I’m in the US. Thanks for the great review and draw!

  • What DOESN’T appeal to me about this perfume??! LOL

    Pierre Guillaume, check! A shadowy and jam-kissed PURPLE rose? Umm…YAAH! Slightly smoky sophisticated dry down? YOU BETCHA

    I would love to try this. My “perfect” perfume has a brief enticing opening (generally herbaceous or dark green) into a heart of dark magical flowers with a woody incense rich finish. Could this be perfume perfection knocking (possibly just once) on my door?

    Thanks for the rich review and the chance to win! I have 02 Coze and 21 Felanilla and decants of Cuir d’Iris, Querelle and Psychotrope, all of which I love.

    I must try more of this line, and revisit M. Guillaume’s genius again, soon it would seem. Thank you for reminding me. 🙂

    US resident,

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    as i have mentioned earlier, i am exploring more and more rose fragrances and of course Pierre Guillaume is talented so his interpretations also make one curious..just order one of his Phaedon fragrance yesterday..i am in the US

  • USA
    Actually you had me at ‘purple’. Favorite color, and I love deeper spicier roses. In the past couple years I have been paying more attention to the scents of flowers around me, and my favorite roses are a deep jammy raspberry one which is large and bright red, a light spicy one with very dense round petals, and a yellow-peach-pink one which has a distinct citrus/floral aroma. I would love to try Isparta–a deep, jammy, woody, sexy rose sounds perfect!

    Favorite PG scent is hard to choose…I love Bois Blond, Un Crime Exotique, and L’Oiseau de Nuit.

  • Sounds amazing! And I like the black rose painting. I’m in the US and interested in the draw.

  • I favor woody, leathery, tarry fragrances laden with spice and musk, but I have lately been interested in seeking something more feminine. This seems perfect for the task of pleasing my nose with weight and spice, but also introducing me to a rose that might change my mind about roses….

    I’m in the USA. Thank you very kindly.