Photo by Dave Kliman

For the last four years it seems the Bond No. 9 release timed to come out in the fall has been my favorite from the house for that given year. Last year’s Andy Warhol by Bond No. 9 was my favorite Bond No. 9 fragrance for the last few years. When I attended the Elements Showcase in August the Bond No. 9 booth was my first stop and the first strip I smelled was the new release Manhattan. I would sniff that strip a lot over the next two days and patiently waited for a sample so I could wear it. Once I had the chance to wear it I actually found it much more expansive on my skin than on the strip and another fall winner from Bond No. 9.

Laurice Rahme tapped Claude Dir to be the perfumer for Manhattan and it was he who started this run of my love of the Bond No. 9 fall releases with 2009’s Success Is A Job In New York. For Manhattan M. Dir created a spicy oriental homage to the City That Never Sleeps. By using a spicy top it transitions into a fruity gourmand heart and ends sweetly woody. This is an energetic yet comforting fragrance and I have found it to be equally good on a hot day and in the early chill of a fall day.

M. Dir’s opening gambit is nutmeg, coriander and most especially saffron. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the number of perfumers who have been using saffron in increasing quantities to excellent effect. M. Dir uses the exotic quality to raise the profile of both the nutmeg and coriander. Peach and plum add a luscious fruity accord which is matched with a rich gourmand accord consisting of gingerbread with a bit of chocolate. On the strip it was all fruit and gourmand but once I wore this on my skin up popped a beautiful jasmine which somehow fits better than I might’ve thought. The base notes are sandalwood, patchouli, and vanilla. They combine to pick up on the sweeter facets of the heart and add some depth to that character for the final stages of development.

Manhattan has outstanding longevity and above average sillage.

I think I’m going to have to start adding something new to my signs of fall approaching from now on. Shorter days, lower temperatures, leaves changing color, and a new favorite Bond No. 9 to add to my collection.

Disclosure: This review was based on a press sample provided by Bond No. 9.

Thanks to Bond No. 9 we have 10 BonBons of Manhattan to giveaway to 10 winners. To be eligible leave a comment on your favorite thing about Manhattan or your favorite Bond No. 9 fragrance. We will draw 10 winners on September 30, 2012.

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.

-Mark Behnke, Managing Editor