701 (2016) • BON PARFUMEUR🔺 • ScentAdvice

The notes in the subtitle of this fragrance only tell half the story. 701 instantly seems more complex than 601 did, with an unexpected fruitiness. My initial thoughts were; oh this is one of those greenish tea-vibe fragrances. It reminded me of Dior Thé Cachemire and it has this (synthetic) airy green tinge that you get in a lot of the after rain or morning dew scents.

You definitely get the eucalyptus up front a lot, but the fruitiness elevates this fragrance. Grapefruit and pineapple are listed and even though I couldn’t place it myself, I can definitely picture the pineapple now. It doesn’t feel like a fleeting, light touch of citrus and pineapple, but rather substantial, ripe might be the right word. As it dries down, it gets a bit spicier and darker to my nose.

I don’t see cumin listed, but that’s what I got from this, maybe even more than coriander. Things like tobacco, coffee and even cannabis are being named, and even though I can’t detect the latter two, I do get an overall darker, almost sensual touch. And again, with the bitter, smokiness it reminds me of Thé Cachemire at this stage, but much fuller and richer, with the fruits lasting into the drydown. There’s a subtle sweetness, I think from the amber accord, which I imagine as sugar added to the green tea and it’s soothing.

I’m absolutely surprised by this fragrance; the title notes didn’t excite me, but what came after was a pleasant twist. The addition of the pineapple and the amber took this style to a new level for me and that’s all the more impressive at the Bon Parfumeur price point (€82/100ml or €38/30ml).