Gentleman’s Nod MUSASHI Review (Patricia Choux) 2022+ Feels Like Summer Giveaway

 

Gentleman’s Nod MUSASHI bottle, courtesy of the brand

“One must have a true knowledge of food to be in the moment” – Charlie Trotter

Excellence in Fine Dining 

Excellence in Fine Dining, collage by Rachel K. Ng

 The vocation of a sommelier can be all-consuming. Passionate devotion to the intricacies of grape harvests and wine bottlings around the world, as well as following their development over time in cellars, requires continuous education in science, history, and above all, the culinary arts. I was especially fortunate to have spent much of my career in a Michelin 3-Star restaurant surrounded by excellence. From deep research into each ingredient on the menu, to complex table settings and stages in the kitchen, our team was encouraged to absorb and master everything. My olfactory training was top notch with particular attention to pairing wine with food. The delicately perfumed dishes of this rarified space were recently brought vividly back to my consciousness with my first  spritz of Gentleman’s Nod MUSAHI.

Mane Senior Perfumer Patricia Choux

Mane Senior Perfumer Patricia Choux, courtesy of the brand

Gentleman’s Nod owner and creative director Chris Christiansen (whose recent release SIDAMA was nominated as a Finalist for an Art and Olfaction 2024 Independent award) enlisted MANE Senior Perfumer Patricia Choux to create the fragrance and it did not surprise me to learn that Patricia grew up in Burgundy, home of France’s renowned food culture. The collaboration between Chris and Patricia was truly exceptional. Chris describes, “as the first original fragrance we began in cooperation with MANE, Gentleman’s Nod MUSASHI was a labor of love from start to finish. Every aspect of the fragrance from the story to the feel and notes captivated me so much that it kept me up at night. I felt I knew this fragrance so well that I could indeed smell it before I even received any submissions from Patricia.” 

Gentleman’s Nod owner and creative director Chris Christiansen

Gentleman’s Nod owner and creative director Chris Christiansen, courtesy of the brand

Gentleman’s Nod MUSASHI has one of the most refined combinations of citrus and pear that I have experienced. Thoughts of exquisite sorbets, purées, and reductions lift my spirit as I inhale more deeply. The buttery texture of a Doyenne du Comice pear combined with the rich melon aromatics and crispness of a Nashi pear support and interweave with woody and pine-forward Yuzu and herbaceous mandarin. Bergamot fills in this light and balletic opening that so happily reminds me of the grace and good health of eating well.

 

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The quality of MUSASHI continues with a well-balanced blend of jasmine, silver-leafed green tea, and wood. Jasmine Tea is a delicacy that involves infusing small jasmine buds into a tippy green tea made from large leaves and full of character. Gentleman’s Nod MUSASHI captures its distinct blend of light honey and fresh floral notes. The jasmine is well-balanced by a green tea that has the sweetness of a braised leek with hints of honeysuckle. The warm woody base retains hints of honey, jasmine and tea well into the luxurious dry down. Gentleman’s Nod MUSAHI is a perfectly silky and luminous late summer fragrance to up the caliber of any experience.

Notes: yuzu, yellow mandarin, nashi pear, bergamot, jasmine tea, violet, pink pepper, green tea extract, fir balsam, driftwood accord, Amberwood®, vetiver, cypriol

Sample kindly provided by Gentleman’s Nod; opinions my own.

~ Rachel K. Ng, Senior Contributor

Gentleman’s Nod MUSACHI perfume and soap collage courtesy of the brand

Gentleman's Nod Musashi perfume and soap

Gentleman’s Nod Musashi perfume and soap

Thanks to the generosity of Gentleman’s Nod, we have a 50 ml bottle of Musashi and a 6.75 oz Musashi Utility Bar Soap for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader USA & CANADA ONLY, (if you are not sure if you are registered click here – you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment on this site with what strikes you about Rachel’s review and where you live. Draw Closes 8/12/2024

Gentleman’s Nod SIDAMA was a 2024 finalist in the Art and Olfaction awards (Ugo Charron)perfumer

Patricia Choux  is featured in ÇaFleureBon’s Young Perfumer Series, where you can learn more about her childhood and career.  Also of note, Madame Choux was trained by Master Perfumer  Maurice Roucel.

Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod is 177th in our American perfumer series, read his profile here.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @rachel.k.ng @gentlemansnod @mane_1971_ @perfumer.patricia.choux

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19 comments

  • Ramses Perez says:

    When I read the story about the sommelier and then saw the notes, I could tell this was a fizzy wine sort of inspired fragrance. I have never had a basho pear but they sure look big and juicy, adding to the quality of the pear Rachel mentioned. The citruses are also abundant on this creation with the bergamot and mandarin. Also, a special shout out to the bottle and the art because it goes well with the inspiration behind the fragrance. Musashi being a special blade, the fragrance cuts through and its sharpness is present with the rich honey and jasmine blend. Cheers from the USA.

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    I’m curious about the refined combination of pear and citrus. I live in Maryland USA.

  • Eris.can.swatch.kaos says:

    Musashi sounds absolutely delicious and delightful! I love a great tea fragrance and the addition of jasmine and pear make this delectable. I’m interested in getting this on my nose and drinking it in. I live in Oregon.

  • Steve A says:

    The reviewer writes in regards to Musashi, “…has one of the most refined combinations of citrus and pear that I have experienced”. That comment strikes me as this is worth looking into to try. US

  • David Furman says:

    This is a little different. In my experience with Japanese fragrances a lot have a sandalwood base. Yuzu in the opening however is almost customary. I cannot tell if this is bright and dry or does it go kind of sweet and rich. Either way I’m sure it’s composition is lovely and would boost the mood of its wearer. I love orientals scents but I’m use to mostly dark and resinous ones. Would like to delve more into citric and spicy orientals. From Jacksonville, NC.

  • Naomi says:

    I love jasmine tea and yuzu, and the layer of woods supporting it sounds grounding and masculine without being heavy. From the sounds of it, an enormous amount of thought and intention went into this fragrance, and that – more than the notes themselves – excites me that it may be a gem…and I’m very curious about this reference to it bringing to mind “the good health of eating well” (?) Thank you for this generous draw, I live in the US.

  • EdherRM says:

    Rachel’s review of Gentleman’s Nod MUSASHI really caught my attention. I’ve tried other colognes with pear notes, but this combination of Nashi pear and driftwood sounds especially intriguing. I´ve never smelled any cologne that has those notes. The way how she describes the interplay of these notes, along with the citrus and woody elements, makes this fragrance stand out, specially in the observations about the blend and its elegance make me eager to experience it myself. Looking forward to add one more summer cologne into my collection.

    I live in New York City

  • joetelegram says:

    I’m unfamiliar with Gentleman’s Nod, but the vivid descriptions of MUSASHI have certainly piqued my interest. The refined blend of citrus, pear, and jasmine tea notes suggests a fragrance that elegantly balances freshness and complexity, making it a captivating addition to any collection.

    Roseburg, Oregon

  • Annika says:

    Great review Rachel! Musashi sounds delicate and feminine. I’ve never been a fan of pear notes in perfume but the combination with citrus, particularly the yuzu seems like it can cut through the cloying sweetness pear sometimes has. The honeyed jasmine and tea adds to the delicacy and the warm. woody base with the driftwood accord makes it a great summer/fall transition fragrance. MD, USA.

  • Teresa C says:

    What a refreshing sounding blend! The balance of tea and floral, wood and the subtle undertones of all the notes sounds perfectly balanced and lovely. I do love a good green tea fragrance, but they can be overwhelming if the note is allowed to overtake the other elements. This sounds perfect! I live in the US.

  • Arron_Q says:

    I’ve only recently heard of this brand and was curious as to whether or not they were a quality house. After reading Rachel’s trusted word, it appears that I need to start exploring their offerings. As an avid lover of all things tea, Musashi sounds like a divine scent. I am intrigued by the one-two punch of jasmine, with it’s ever present indolic notes, and the gundpowdery essence of green tea. Rachel spoke very highly of its luminosity and it sounds perfect for these final few months of warm weather here in the south. Best of luck to all. I live in NC, USA.

  • Christie says:

    This is a fragrance that is meant for someone like me. I drink jasmine green tea every afternoon. Cold or hot it is my favorite ritual of the afternoon. I also love pear fragrances but sometimes they are too sweet throughout the day and they take over my thoughts. Musashi sounds like the perfect balance for me. Rachel, I know with your sommelier experience you know how to give a true detailed description and to end with “silky and luminous” painted a gorgeous final picture in my mind. I can’t wait to try Musashi. I really enjoyed this review. Thanks for the giveaway! I’m in the USA.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Seems like Chris and Patricia were really in tune with each other and the final product. Quite a vivid description of the fruity notes. Quite a few of my favorite notes are in this creation. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • mmerline says:

    I love the Musashi shave soap and aftershave scent released a few years back and expect the fragrance to be an even more clear realization of the theme. Rachel’s review reminded me that Patricia Choux really nailed the combination of yuzu and pear, along with much of the unique character of jasmine tea. The balance of sweet, aromatic, and woody is just to my tastes. Would love to try the fragrance!

    I’m in the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the lovely review Rachel.

    HAd a chance to sniff the shaving soap/aftershave and one of my favourite things about this scent (apart from the citrus and pear notes), is the manner in which the jasmine and the green tea lent their hands as supporting cast for the fragrance – it really elevated it.

    Would love to get my nose on this.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Johnmc5000 says:

    This sounds like the summer scent I have been looking for.
    Fruity with a Woody base.
    Never heard of this house, but I will be on the lookout for it.
    Hope to win.
    Oklahoma USA

  • foreverscents says:

    When I lived in Japan, I used to look forward to the end of summer because that meant nashi pears would soon be in season. They are so juicy and succulent. The mandarin and yuzu notes combining with the banshie and then jasmine tea…..I am speechless. This surely must be one the best fragrances of the year.
    I live in the USA.

  • rmsssss says:

    Honeyed jasmine tea sounds amazing! I love how Rachel describes this one as fresh, sweet, and luxurious. I’d love the chance to try it! I’m in MN, USA.