LES INDEMODABLES
ESCALE EN INDONESIE

2020

PERFUMER
Antoine Lie

Bergamot
lemon
bitter orange leaf

Jasmine

Sumatran Ambergris
Sandalwood

Les Indemodables is one of my favorite brands on the market. Their colognes don’t seem to get the same attention as the rest of their line, but both are excellent. Escale En Haiti is an aromatic woody vetiver, whereas this Escale En Indonesie is a zingier cologne with ambergris elevating it.

Straight away you get a vivid lemon. It’s not a scent profile that reinvents the wheel; you get citrus, neroli and a hint of jasmine. After the first minutes, mostly neroli to my nose. It’s sparkling, crisp and green, also leaning quite aromatic.

Especially in the mid section of the wear, this has much more of that sharper ‘Eau Sauvage‘ style cologne vibe than a full-on citrus fragrance. From my collection, this is closest to Parfumerie Particuliere’s Blue Mandarine. The (sandalwood) base goes a lot smoother in the Les Indemodables though.

The standout feature however, is ambergris. Escale En Indonesie contains 5% of their Grand Cru ambergris tincture and it puts this cologne over the top of most similarly styled fragrances. It adds the most subtle hint of a mineral quality. I like that it doesn’t ruin the freshness by adding too much sweetness. It seems to work a lot more under the surface as a fixative here than it does in the more daring Ambre Supreme by the house; I don’t find Escale En Indonesie either salty or animalic in any way. It just adds a touch of magic.

A classy and versatile scent that I think I’ll only grow to enjoy more over time (and in warmer weather). Escale En Indonesie will surely be a stand out in my office rotation.