LA MANUFACTURE
SYMPHONIE

2020

PERFUMER
Karine Dubreuil-Sereni

BErgamot
Grapefruit
Frankincense

Cardamom
Elemi
Lavender

White Amber
white cedarwood
Tolu Balsam
Patchouli
Vanilla

Symphonie is quite a mix of styles, but mostly an incense amber. The opening can be a tad sharp, with it’s cardamom and lavender, giving the fragrance a fougere, traditional masculine leaning vibe. It’s the part of the fragrance that I enjoy the least, but fougeres are usually not my preference.

This opening lasts for quite a while, although it’s brightness and citrussy kick fades gradually. In it’s place come the heavier base notes. Cedarwood, vanilla and incense make up a good chunk of the wear and it’s a familiar combination, lifted by the tinge of lavender that sticks around. It’s on the darker side and it has a hint of sweetness, but it remains clean at the same time.

I enjoy the drydown of Symphonie. It smells like something I’ve tried before, but I can’t remember what it reminds me of. Either way, the familiarity I get with this is not a bad one, it’s in a way comforting. It takes elements from the fougeres that I never loved, yet grew up smelling, mixed with a style that I do love. For my personal taste, I’d want the lavender and freshness toned down, but that would take away a lot of what makes Symphonie it’s own thing.