To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
LeksyDF – :
The psychedelic lettering on the bottle lets you know exactly where Tempo is going. An ode to patchouli is the name of the song here, and it’s one of two scents commemorating the French house’s 50 years in business.
Because Diptyque fragrances often open with very raw, natural, and realistic accords (the sandalwood in Tam Dao, or fig leaves in Philosykos for example), I expected Tempo to begin with earthy, uncompromising dirt. What we’re presented with instead however is a very smooth and balanced patchouli blend that’s somewhere in between vintage dead head patch, and a more accessible patchouli light. The subtley melancholic, gothic note of violet is also center stage, and Tempo really showcases just how well violet and patchouli match up together. The whole ensemble feels like a glossy Technicolor brown and purple.
Tempo was composed using three different patchoulis apparently from the house’s private stash in Indonesia. By no means am I any kind of connoisseur, but this smells like the good stuff. Wafts of bitter sweet red velvet cake and moody florals provide a gorgeous symphony that may be the perfect entree level patchouli scent.Tempo is very wearable, can be dressed up or dressed down, and is bound to be another classic for Diptyque.
sashchek – :
People say this is the new LIDGE. I cannot agree with them. Even though there are similarities, because they are both patchouli heavy, this feels very dated and is actually patchouli overload. LIDGE is much smoother, sweeter and more chocolaty.
If, age-wise, LIDGE would be 30+, this is 55+. I am 30 y/o and I felt old when I was wearing this.
Do NOT blind-buy. This is for patchouli lovers, not for LIDGE-fans that are seeking an alternative.
Possible solution: Layer Tempo with the reformulated l’Instant EdP. I think it will come quite close to the vintage LIDGE.
smeathusase – :
Tempo is such an uplifting and amazing scent.
It reminds me of a more thicker version of Zegna – Javanese Patchouli but much better.
I see this is today’s LIDGE.
Its a great piece of work – a classy scent.
A+
xuusernameu4 – :
This is a decent scent, that for me, makes the all-to-typical mistake of cutting down my beloved patchouli with a blurry accord of sweetness. And… I guess I hate that. Such that I’m frustrated with this stye of patchouli hybrids, for their timidity of always sweetifying and polishing up the patchouli. And therefore weakly compromising it despite their attempts to tip-toe up to it as a main note.
Patchouli Absolu makes this smell girly.
More charitably, its a smoothed out patchouli for those who can only tolerate a tamed patch, and a good one, of that hybrid, if typical approach.
supersecurity – :
Tempo is another Diptyque new fragrance in 2018. Absolutely aromatic-spicy scent that I think more suitable for men. Simple mix of Patchouli & Spice just with one other key note. Violet leaf give very fresh, more green & bitter smell to Patchouli & Mate blend. I really like this complex scent. Patchouli here act like in Chypre structure with more soft spicy face. Will be too pleasure on men skin. Fall/winter formal wearing. Both of long-lasting & sillage is good.
oleksandrks – :
This fragrance is an absolute dream. Delicious patchouli without the common sugared fruit accompaniment. If you adore patchouli, but want something more refined than essential oil, this is it. Dreamy, captivating and ineffably beautiful. This fragrance consistently gets compliments; more so than any other scent I wear. Just exquisite.
vivanoff – :
Well-balanced, a composition that invites meditation, elegant violet and velvet suede (not animalistic). The mate note is what attracted me so much and the toned-down/domesticated patchouli is something I really do appreciate. I am so happy that a perfumer had the courage to propose such an elegant and pensive accord in a present world that just keeps on shouting “fruitchouli”. This invites images of wooden bookshelves and countryside great outdoors, galleries, velvet armchairs. I adore it! I see myself wearing this on a day to day basis as it keeps my mind fresh, balanced, grounded, but also intrigued and allured by this atmosphere.
deloro – :
The others reviews (comparison with Coromandel and LIDGE) made me interested to test Tempo.
Well, I can confirm that Tempo, indeed, reminds us of the nostalgia of past decades, while having a natural and nostalgic character. From the beginning to the end (24 h !!!) it gives the impression that only natural ingredients were used in its composition, and the patchouli is very well restrained in order not to unleash the monster that is hidden in the heart of this ingredient.
Regarding the comparison with the Chanel perfume, while Coromandel evokes the noblesse of old wood, varnishes and paints, Tempo gives me the impression that I will smell a wooden container in which a mate tea has been stored for a long time – very chic, very frenchy, very Provencal …
Regarding the comparison with LIDGE, I would say it rather resembles Guerlain’s EDT version rather than EDP, as in L’Instant de Gurlain EDT the grassy notes are much more present.
Over time, the note of the tea that dominates the perfume is further subdued and other Provencal herbs accompany the patchouli note.
In drydown, which occurs after 4-5 hours and lasts at least 24 hours (!!!), Tempo is one of the best perfumes in the barbershop category that I have smelled that surprised me a lot. At this stage I find it addictive.
I think, along with Tam Dao EDP, Tempo is the best perfume that Diptyque ever realesed.
Fragrance 9/10
Projection Medium/High
Longevity 24 h
RIP – :
Mugler’s Angel Muse with its diamonté tiara taken off. The opening patchouli note is oddly synthetic to my nose so controversially I choose Mugler over this one. It’s an interesting study of the power of marketing and persuasion in perfume. The two couldn’t be more different in terms of aesthetic, target market, price so I was surprised to find a link. I honestly believe Angel Muse is the better composition.
Slavosh – :
It is interesting to find a reminiscent patchouli fragrance that I always love.
The bone structure of Tempo is in the same vain to Zegna Javanese Patchouli. Just imagine introducing an opening drawn from Tom Ford Noir EDP (or part of, say, Cartier VII / Luten’s Borneo 1834 / Guerlain LIDGE / Bentley for Men Intense / Reminiscence Patchouli / Bois 1920 Patchouli / Micallef Patchouli etc), then smoothly evolves into a Javanese Patchouli-like drydown, with less focus on the dirty facet of patchouli, however, with the same woody (blended with cedar), a bit powdery and simplistic intepretation within the genre. That’s basically how it goes in Tempo.
Put another way, Tempo lies in somewhere between those two, much closer to Javanese Patchouli though. With charging a more affordable price, it is quite valuable and makes it a truly nice work from the house of Diptyque.
—–updated on Jun 2, 2018
After several tries, I might add that there is a patchouli-iris-musky twist a la Chanel Rue Cambon 31 in the very final phase, which is exactly the spirit that makes RC31 so successful in the community and yet I had missed in first two wearings brusquely. And, Tempo does it better by being composed in a implicit and more balanced way, however at least one should be very patient to see it coming, while RC31 is just too much (greasy and sweetish especially in its EDT concentration) for my taste.
Rating: 8.5/10
seven – :
Trying out a free sample of Tempo … interesting, it manages to be dark and thick while also having a float-y aspect. The natural saltiness of clary sage really comes through in this one. It definitely has a vintage feel to it and is not for people who “don’t like perfumey perfumes”. Warm, dark, powdery without a hint of sweetness.
kanceva – :
So THAT is what patchouli is supposed to be! No hippy dippy nonsense going on here. I bought this thing and i fell in love with it as soon as I sprayed it. Longevity is fantastic (going and going and going) and projects beautifully. bold and strong, so watch the sprays. Not suitable for younger audiences. Rated M for mature. Warning: may cause you to feel like a badass sophisticated motha’ from many decades ago.
roman-kolomyia – :
I don’t have much time to review right now, but wanted to just say, this is a lovely patch, and should be a strong contender for any patch lover’s wardrobe!
There are many types of patch, and all can be appreciated, depending on how they are presented with accompanying notes. This is wearable in mixed company and can be worn by those who worry about seasonal scents rather easily.
poltinik – :
A wonderful patchouli, dark dusty and green-brown, with a dim powder touch from violet leaves. Impressively succeeds at being a throw-back to the late 1960s penchant for patchouli while simultaneously feeling new, a significant departure to our current patch-amber or fruitchouli landscape. Bottle design alluring as always – go Diptyque!
Amsterdamn76 – :
I find Tempo to be dark green. Earthy, moldy, almost mossy patchouli in perfect blend with clary sage and maté. Close to the skin only patchouli but from a distance continental european elegance enhanced by a drop of bergamott and violet leaf. A hulder on Kudamm. Tempo is the autumn scent you wear efter a summer in Eau Dynamissante. Love it!
torrini – :
Love, love, love! What a masterpiece! It leans heavily on the masculine side so I am not yet sure if I can pull wearing this off, but I cannot stop sniffing myself. Of one thing I am certain: My life won’t be complete until I have it!
Later edit:
I wore it again and asked my friends for feedback. I heard all sorts of interesting opinions, such as: dust, grass, and makeup powder. And class. Personally I would say that it reminds me of the most powerful impression I have of Magie Noire since my childhood. May not be accurate, but my guess is that the patchouli note stood out the most for me at that time.
* Longevity: Very long lasting. Could still feel it after showering and washing my hair.
* Sillage: Soft enough if applied sparingly. So far no one noticed it unless I told them to come close and sniff me.
Conclusion: Still my new favorite, love it even more!
AlexeyEfimov – :
I’m so excited to have got this today. It has the beautiful airy crafting as you would expect from Diptyque, but it is still a load of patchouli. Tempo, while it is first and last patchouli, has this lavender violet leaf aromatic that leads it to an almost barbershop-ish wet patchouli vibe.
It makes a transition in specifically the patchouli going from wet/green leafy patchouli, to a soil/earth then afterwards it changes to more of a dry leaf ground plant patchouli. I didn’t knows this before, but I read a fragrantica article later today that said they used 3 different blends of patchouli for it. Don’t know if that is true.
I appreciate that it has some evolution through the life of the scent that takes the full range of a wet and green, almost fruity patchouli, through a dried and earthy, slightly cocoa-patchoulli tea.
SkoRpion – :
I’ve heard people describe Patchouli as having a chocolate cake feel, but I’ve never understood that until Tempo. I don’t mean it’s a gourmand, it isn’t, but the patchouli here is deep and rich. I don’t find it dirty or hippie in any way. There is an earthiness and it reminds me of Chanel Coromandel (EDP) in lots of ways.
Light projection but solid longevity. I think you can get away with a few extra sprays on this one. My wife doesn’t love patchouli but she really likes this one. Perfectly unisex and wearable.
anders7812 – :
For me, this is the “best of “ combined and mixed together.
It reminds me of a lot of stuff….. Voyageur ( Lalique)
Avant-Garde ( Micallef)….. and, ah what the heck.
Not a classic heavy heady Balmy (georgeous) patch like “Classic Patchouli” , Von Eussersdorf or Monsieur ( F.M.) but a crowd pleaser, for the haters and the lovers.
This will be my friendly, daily patch.
I think we get along well….. let see for how long 😉
Golf – :
Update: We are in the heart of Springtime here in Baltimore. This really pops in the warmer weather: 80′ or less, this is still fine. It’s not a heavy fragrance.
I do pick out a powdery Iris with the violet, that others mention.
I have since purchased two of the best solo patch frags; Classic Patchouli and Lorenzo Patchouli.
They have taught me that Tempo has more Patch dominance than I first thought. But I like this better for the other nuances. This is not as sweet as Classic Patchouli.
I’m very pleased with the fragrance. It’s a very classy and sophisticated patchouli. The bitter herbal mate, is a very unique scent that makes a great accord with the patchouli used. Mate was originally used to make a drink by the South American Indians.
Very groovy, seriously my #1 Patchouli fragrance.
Patchouli is often a secondary note, here it is much more than that, but the patchouli doesn’t dominate the fragrance either.
There are 3 different kinds of fine patchouli essences used, so I’m proberbly smelling some variety of patch, I never smelled befor, but it’s very refined and unique patch, slightly medecinal, chocolaty, earthy, nutty.
There also seems to be a very fine balsamic note used.
It actually reminded me of Diptyque’s Benjoin Boheme, their Benzoin fragrance.
Benzoin has a nice nutty quality. I think one of the 3 patchouli varieties used here in Tempo, has a nutty quality, and that’s why in reminds me of Benzoin.
I think this will become a Dyptique classic. The composition is brilliant, it’s unique, because of the mate/ patch accord, it’s slightly spicy, and has a rosy tone from the pink pepper. Tempo is simple, yet intriguing, complete fragrance that is very pleasing and wearable.
The mate plays an important role, and it’s what I like most about this fragrance, as it makes an accord with the patch. Mate is a very dry, earthy, slightly bitter tea. It goes really well with the refined earthy patchoulis used. Mate is medecinal also, so it blends well with the patch medecinal quality. Mate is a bit like nutmeg, but more aromatic. The pink pepper adds some zest, the bergamot, freshness.
There’s a really nice violet leaf note. A recent reviewer highlighted the violet, and I think he’s right: The violet patch accord is the genius here. It beautifully balances the earthy patch, and makes it moist and watery!
The pink pepper is a little spicy, but it’s also rosy.
So together with the violet leaf, there is a bright floral nuance; a peppery rose I could say. The Mate also ads to a soft spiciness, but it’s not too spicy overall.
Clary sage usually has a leathery quality, but this Clary sage, is more earthy, like regular sage, and has a lavender quality. The sage and mate are making an accord with the patch.
In the drydown, you get more of a straight up patchouli dominating, but it’s soft and nice.
This is a light Oriental Patchouli fragrance, so it’s great for Fall and Winter, but it’s fresh and luminous enough to be enjoyed durring Spring, and cooler Summer days.
The projection is softly moderate, longevity is good.
The Perfumer Olivier Pescheux is a great perfumer, who has done a great job here, as well as other newer Diptyque fragrances.
This is a unique patchouli fragrance. Even if you don’t like patchouli dominant fragrances, you may very well like this.
Rating: 9.5/10
God bless. John 3:16
garry65 – :
For years I have made patchouli my sworn enemy… I can’t believe I’m saying this but my world was just turned upside down by this beautiful, exquisite fragrance.
Is it the powdery violet that caused me to swoon and lose my head? I can’t be thinking clearly.
This is soft, this is sweet, this is utterly gorgeous and addictive. Cursing myself because a new Diptyque edp was not in the budget/was not the plan/is going to cost me because I have to rush back to that Diptyque counter and give them all the money.
50cent – :
Tempo is foremost a patchouli fragrance on my skin, albeit an exceptionally gentle one at that. Upon spraying, the spicy, medicinal and woody aspects of patchouli are there, but they feel so soft and tender that I start to imagine a baby patchouli if there ever was one. The creamy and gently powdered cacao nuance also makes an appearance, which further stretches the innocent feeling of this patchouli.
Although I love patchouli in general, I very often gravitate towards those more earthy, darker, bitter chocolate type of interpretations of this fantastically complex note. And when the patchouli is stripped clean and appears bright in mood, I tend to find them too sweet for my taste. Thanks to the overall gentleness of Tempo, I didn’t find its sweetness unbearable to me, but not far though.
Thankfully, the sage and maté soon come to rescue, subduing the fruity sweetness of pink pepper with their herbal and slightly bitter aroma. Tempo then remains this occasionally medicinal and woody-cacao, but mostly herbal patchouli skin scent until the end. Although the fragrance is not dense, it projects moderately. The longevity is around 8 hours on me.
I personally don’t care much about Tempo because of my own preferences regarding patchouli in perfumery. However, being one of the most mild patchouli fragrances that I smelt, Tempo might be a quite friendly start point to further explore patchouli, or an unobtrusive patchouli for daily routine thanks to it retaining the quiet elegance of modern Diptyque fragrances.
davozaq11 – :
The SA told me this one is launching on March 1 in the U.S. and is masculine leaning. Apparently very heavy in patchouli, only available in edp, and was made to celebrate Diptyque’s 50th anniversary. Can’t wait to try