OSTENS
IMPRESSION JASMINE ABSOLUTE
2018
PERFUMER
Clement Gavarry
Gardenia
Black Pepper
Violet
Jasmine Absolute
Davana
Ylang-Ylang
Lavendin Absolute
Vanilla Woods
Sandalwood
mineral notes
Peach
musk
In a nutshell, Jasmine Absolute is almost a soliflore for jasmine. There’s a certain clarity to the ingredients used in most of the Ostens, but in Jasmine Absolute, it’s crystal clear, resulting in a really fresh, invigorating floral gem. I’ve tried all of the initial releases by Ostens and Jasmine was my favorite, followed by Rose Oil Isparta. As of 2024, Impression Jasmine Absolute stands as my favorite jasmine scent, alongside my vintage Jean Patou Joy Parfum, which is almost the opposite in style.
The freshness here is expanded on with a hint of ylang-ylang, but it never takes away the focus from the jasmine. From the opening, it’s crisp, dewy, almost fruity (peach is listed, to my nose it’s a bit like unripe pear). I’d say this is a sunny fragrance and I most enjoy wearing this in high heat, yet it wouldn’t be out of place at a classy dinner party either.
As it develops it blooms a bit more, adding density and a tiny bit of sweetness, but it remains bright and refreshing. There’s a hint of stemmy greenness (not too heady), but I mostly imagine watery petals. It’s quite simple, but that’s exactly what it should be.
The brand adds a 9ml of the Egyptian Jasminum Grandiflora oil (as of 2024, you can buy it without the oil as well) that served as an inspiration for the scent and gives a layering option. On it’s own, I found the oil initially more daring, warmer, almost animalic, but drying down to a warmer, sweeter jasmine than the fragrance. When layering the oil with the fragrance I found it expanded the longevity and it made the Jasmine Absolute a tiny bit denser and warmer.
Jasmine Absolute is one of the best florals that I’ve come across and it’s a fragrance that I can see being in my top 10 overall in my collection at the right time (I ranked it in my top 10 in 2021/2022 and in my top 20 in 2023/2024).
