FRAGRANCE DU BOIS
SECRET TRYST

2021

Cardamom
Saffron
Bergamot

Vetiver
Jasmine
Cedarwood
Rose

frankincense
Patchouli
Labdanum
Vanilla

‘Envelop yourself in a fragrance that’s as daring and irresistible as your liaisons. Secret Tryst is a new, intoxicating perfume for those who crave passion with a sense of adventure. Wake up your senses to the invigorating notes of bergamot and citrus and submit to sensual cedarwood. Cast your spell with bewitching middle notes of jasmine and the raw, earthy musk of vetiver and frankincense. Beguiling rose adds a touch of racy romance to your dalliances, luring those who wish to succumb with its captivating scent. Arresting, provocative and hopelessly addictive. Secret Tryst – because once is never enough.’ – Fragrance Du Bois

After trying Lovers (my favorite Fragrance du Bois release in several years, it was time to revisit Secret Tryst. This was the one from the newer ones (pre-Lovers in 2023) that I enjoyed the most in store. That impression held up well on skin.

I was interested in revisiting this, because people kept comparing the saffron here to Lovers. I do have to say, these are two vastly different fragrances. Lovers being a massive saffron bomb with rose, Secret Tryst in my opinion a patchouli bomb first.

Saffron and cardamom are there, but not as prominent as I’d expected given other reviews. Straight away, a warm, sweet, woody patchouli takes center stage for me, with the comforting sweetness of frankincense on the side.

I’m surprised, reading Fragrantica at how wildly different the interpretations are and how often patchouli is not named as the main culprit. For me, that’s out of the question; patchouli forward, with a strong ambery base.

I agree with references to Xerjoff Iommi. Iommi was one of the best releases of 2022 for me and there’s a similarity in Secret Tryst. However, Iommi is the more complex (also more harsh and contrasting) fragrance, especially with the passionfruit cutting through. Secret Tryst feels a lot less eccentric, cozier, but having a similar, sensual, sweet patchouli with spices and a tiny hint of rose.

Another reviewer mentioned ‘Christmas’ and I think that’s the direction you can imagine here.

As mentioned above, the drydown goes very ambery. Almost the custardy labdanum from a Chanel Le Lion or Guerlain Shalimar to my nose. Less exciting, but always lovely nonetheless. Now that I mention Le Lion, actually, Secret Tryst might be closest in my collection to Chanel Coromandel Parfum.

Longevity seems fine on my skin, but projection is not loud. On the soft side for this scent of profile performance wise.

Definitely would place this behind Lovers, but up there as one of the better Fragrance Du Bois in recent years for me. That being said, this is no match for Iommi, which is a more unique, more complex, more exciting and significantly better performing alternative for this style of fragrance.