ROJA PARFUMS
PARFUM DE LA NUIT 1

2015

PERFUMER
Roja Dove

Bergamot

Guaiac Wood
Clove
Patchouli
Vetiver
Cedarwood
Saffron
Papyrus

Labdanum
Benzoin
Tolu Balsam
Castoreum
Civet
Vanilla
Styrax
Tonka Bean

‘Inspired by the art of seduction that happens as the sun goes down, the Parfum De La Nuit Collection offers three distinctly seductive scents. No.1, “The Predator” is a big, bold – but never brash – fragrance which announces itself with confidence. This unapologetically sensual composition grabs attention as the dry warmth of Spices and Woods linger under the shadows of the distinctly leathery tones of Labdanum and Cistus, whose honeyed effect is heightened by prominent notes of Vanilla and Tonka Bean. The Parfums De La Nuit Collection explores the way in which our true primal urges rarely surface during the day, yet can emerge from the shadows as the sun goes down. This overtly sensual set of scents allow us to explore the inner desires lurking within us all, by bringing seductive characters into olfactive technicolour. These are the forbidden fragrances of the perfume world. Number 1 is “The Predator”. It is the character who walks into a room and seduces people with their sheer presence. Their confidence is clear for all to see and can quite literally whisk you off your feet.’ – Roja Parfums

Imagine walking through a forest after dawn. The silhouettes of the trees illuminated by the golden glow of the dying sun, or is there wood being burned in the distance? The scent of smoldering, crackling wood fills the air.

Moreover, there’s a penetrating scent unknown to city life. It feels otherworldly in both setting and time to most of us. This is the Kingdom of the animals and with that realization a tension builds. Feeling like fair game on the food chain makes the heart race. Yet, there’s a sense of achievement, of the confidence that one gains from overcoming a challenge, from pushing the boundaries. As time passes we too become one with the forest, with the heat, with the animals, with the night…

PDLN1 is daring in a tamed way, like a lion in a zoo. Two elements jump out initially; a slightly barnyardy, animalic tinge and the famous cola-accord. To my surprise, the cola in PDLN1 is as lively as in Enigma Pour Homme and it’s this liquid, bright golden hue that envelops all that’s challenging underneath.

I would say that the animalic gets overtaken quite quickly by a (still slightly daring) labdanum smoke. It’s dry, burning and benzoin sweet; not unlike the labdanum in Chanel Le Lion, but a smoother experience. The amber – labdanum base is like an unstoppable force, but there remains a slither of levity from the top notes.

This is an animalic amber in it’s most decadent, but well-balanced form. If you’re a fan of scents like Roja’s Amber Aoud, Pierre de Velay No.6, Clive Christian X For Men, Xeroff MV Agusta or Chanel Le Lion, I feel like there’s no element of those that PDLN1 doesn’t excel at. This is the most expensive fragrance to ever my grace my collection (€1350/100ml), which I wouldn’t have been able to afford if it wasn’t for the PR opportunity, but for that you do get an absolute masterpiece. For the money, I’d say Roja’s Enigma Pour Homme is the way to go, but PDLN1 is my runner-up for favorite Roja at the time of writing.