"View of Chateau Marly" by Martin Pierre Denis

Parfums de Marly is a company that fuses together two of the greatest passions in the court of Louis XV: fragrance and purebred horses. In the late eighteenth century, his court was referred to as “the perfumed court”. Fragrance was even added to fountains. Creative director Julien Sprecher has overseen the creation of an entire stable of scents dedicated to that elegant fragrance style that filled Chateau Marly and the noble equine grace of the royal steeds.

“Les Cheveaux de Marly” by Guillaume Coustou

With Galloway (2013) Parfums de Marly focuses on a stallion native to Scotland and Northern England. Its smaller size is more than matched by its strength and stamina. All this house’s scents (click here to read our reviews) capture the prestige and passion of equine beauty. Much like the groom in the famous statue “Les Cheveaux de Marly” by Guillaume Coustou, creative director M. Sprecher has bridled these noble creatures in perfume form, capturing all their intensity, maintaining a regal yet untamed feeling.

Galloway horses

Galloway begins like a stallion trotting out into a misty dew-drenched pasture. Bergamot leads an intense citrus blend that is invigorating while maintaining its coolness. Subtle pepper lends a crisp edge to the gentle opening, without diminishing it. The breed’s restrained ferocity is there, ready at a moment’s notice to break free and run, but remains calm, continuing a vigorous trot. Cantering past flowers in the field and blossoming trees, aromas of silky iris and orange blossom rise. Its pace speeds up to a gallop. Here we feel its innate power as projection increases, until it is reined in closer to the dry down becoming more gentle and relaxed.

Galloway fuses iris and orange blossom notes into an amazingly unisex floral heart. The iris is warmed by the sunny orange blossoms, taking away its cool aloofness. The blossoms are brighter thanks to the regal iris’s smooth green earthiness. After this rousing ride, the finish of golden amber and musk exudes a sweet and intriguing aura. Without working itself into a lather, Galloway returns to its pasture warmed with amber and exhilarated, trailing sensuality with a soft musk. Capturing such a regal beast, in any form, is impressive. Parfums de Marly reminds us elegantly what seems run-of-the-mill, meek and simple can rise to the rank of a champion.  Sillage: above average. Longevity: very good.

Notes: citruses, bergamot, pepper, caraway, iris, orange blossom, amber and musk.

Disclosure: Review based on samples sent to me by Parfums de Marly via The Fragrance Group.

John Reasinger, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumes Editor

Thanks to the generosity of Parfums de Marly, we have a full sample set of the line, including a carded sample of Galloway to one reader in the US or EU. The nine fragrance sampler set includes 1.5 ml spray samples of Darley, Shagya, Ispazon, Lippizan, Godolphin, Pegasus (one of my favorites), Herod, Meliora, Safanad and a carded Galloway sample. To be eligible leave a comment stating your favorite or most desired Parfums de Marly fragrance or your favorite racehorse and that you reside in the US or the EU. Draw will end March 9, 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.