FRAPIN
SPEAKEASY

2012

PERFUMER
Marc-Antoine Corticchiato

Rum
Lime
Sweet Orange

Mint
Mojito
Geranium
Liatris

Tobacco
Leather
Immortelle
Tonka Bean
Labdanum
Styrax
Amber
White Musk

‘Today tobacco is a more forbidden pleasure than alcohol. It is to this rare olfactive family that Marc-Antoine Corticchiato’s composition belongs. Refreshed by a mojito accord (rum, mint and lime), this suave blond tobacco is enhanced with the liqueur-like richness of immortelle and the hay/almond facets of liatrix and tonka bean.A smooth oriental leather rubbed with rich amber deepens this tawny palette.’ – Frapin

Frapin does sweet boozy fragrances well. And while this is an overall fresher take, it still applies. And as usual, for me, the sweetness could’ve been turned down a bit more. That being said, Speakeasy is one of the best and most interesting fragrances from the house.

Straight away this has the almost contradictory mix of minty, citrussy freshness, mixed with sugary sweet booze. Liquorice sweetness in particular seems prominent here.

Yet, the freshness gives quite a lot of pushback for a long time, with the more aromatic qualities coming through. Similar in style (but less sophisticated in my opinion) to Les Bains Guerbois 1978 Les Bains Douches.

The mojito vibe here is more mature and much less citrussy than the one found in Guerlain Homme EDP. Meanwhile the drydown is significantly sweeter. I much prefer the Guerlain personally, but Speakeasy lends itself better for colder weather.

A constant mix of cold and warm booziness with a strong hint of sweetness. I don’t find it close to Roja’s Manhattan (which it’s been compared to often). I don’t get much tobacco (or leather for that matter) in Speakeasy.

Overall, a great boozy fragrance with fresher qualities. Quite unique and slept-on in the fragrance community.