THOMAS DE MONACO
GRAND BEAU
2022
PERFUMER
Maurus Bachmann
pine absolute
angelica root
juniper
frankincense
tuberose absolute
vetiver
ambrette
ambrocenide
fucus absolute
‘For over twenty years, Thomas De Monaco has been living and working as a creative director and photographer between Paris and Zurich, working for international clients in the premium and luxury industries – Hermès, Dior, YSL, Armani, Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, Rolex, Cartier and Piaget, to name but a few. In 2022 he launched his second limited collection consisting of Eau Coeur in September and Grand Beau in November. Both scents are intensely radiant and long-lasting, deliberately designed for effect. With a positive and winning quality, made with beautiful raw materials and contemporary molecules.’- Thomas de Monaco
Despite loving Raw Gold & Eau Coeur, Grand Beau was fighting an uphill battle from the get-go with me. The notes and first reactions that I read, made me think that it wouldn’t be up my alley and, well, it isn’t.
Whereas Eau Coeur is the most traditionally feminine leaning of the first 3 Thomas de Monaco releases, Grand Beau takes a sharp turn into ‘masculine spicy’ territory.
It feels quite conventional, in a way that’s not so conventional anymore anno 2023, if that makes sense. It’s a bit green, dry and sharp. There is a refreshing quality here that I appreciate (juniper always gives off that crisp, sparkling vibe).
Mostly, I get a peppery woodiness that made me think of Roja Apex drydown (which is much much sweeter overall) and Les Abstraits Des Cendres (which is more retro, sappy and daring). It’s a mature scent that I imagine my father could’ve worn in the 90’s. A scent that I don’t mind smelling, but don’t love wearing.
I guess what makes me understand the Frederic Malle Uncut Gem nod by another reviewer, is the relentless and quite linear wear. Admittedly, I’m writing this first impression while the drydown is still going on, but I can already tell that I have a couple of hours left to go and I’m ready to move on from it.