ROJA DOVE HAUTE PARFUMERIE
PIERRE DE VELAY No. 1

2017

PERFUMER
Roja Dove

Carnation
Galbanum
Bergamot
Pepper

Violet
Heliotrope
Ylang-Ylang
Jasmine
Clove
Rose

Orris
Vanilla
Sandalwood
Tonka Bean
Benzoin
Vetiver
Cedarwood
Civet

‘The first scent to introduce the Pierre de Velay collection, No.1 is a velvety and sensual Ambrée accord with a unique and airy quality that whisks the wearer off to a far-away land. This is a fragrance which has the magical ability to evoke an incredible presence, whilst at the same time being not at all heavy or imposing. It is balance and beauty personified.’ – Roja Dove

No. 1 is definitely one of, if not my favorite, from Pierre de Velay that I’ve tried so far. Perhaps aided by my less than favorable impression of the new Chou Chou, No. 1 was a wear that gave me a welcome reassurance by and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I found it hard to place; partially because it is a subtler wear. Long-lasting, but soft.

At first I got a juicy, amber with a lot of florals that takes some cues from other Roja’s that I’ve tried in the past. Something about No. 1 feels like it fits in somewhere between the Taif Aoud and softer Enigma Aoud lineage. Floral and bright, but also quite sweet. You get an almost fruity floral bouquet that wears uplifting.

While there are woody components, this is less ‘oudy’ and more floral than most of the Roja Parfums Aouds. The mix of brightness, tart acidity and amber reminds me a bit of the style of Parfums d’Empire Ambre Russe at first, but the Pierre de Velay is more mass appealing and less traditionally masculine leaning than that. I must also admit, that the tartness and acidity seems fleeting and even after respraying, I couldn’t quite put my finger on my initial impression again. I think the more I smelled it, the less it reminded me of for example Taif Aoud and the more it felt sweeter and softer.

A nice rose comes through more and more. Making this essentially a rose-oud, but not a standard one. Tuberose is not listed, but I was reminded of that at times as well. In general, it feels like a well-balanced fragrance that has a bit of everything in both scents and textures. It wears soft, but still substantial.

Absolutely a wonderful release in the Pierre de Velay line and one that I will have to give more wear time to figure out.