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prostogirl – :
slight glue and balsamic balsam.
The first time I do sniff this blend! It’s quite weird yet addictive! It’s a glue with balsamic note, it’s slightly earthy and kind of spicy with woody note.
The colder it goes the more oudi and woody glue it become. Its thin and never beast (aka silage) but it’s longevity is kind of good. It’s not splashy with these citrus and not suffocating, it’s just soft, slightly earthy and animalic, gluey, and woody. Very interesting.
NineOdollars – :
I didn’t know what to expect from this fragrance, I’d seen it and it stood out due to the fact it’s not in the usual FM label format. I’ve always been limited to trying FM fragrances as I have to order samples because no stores near me stock them. Thankfully that has changed now so I got to finally try this and I have to say it’s very nice. The style is similar to both Musc Ravegeur and the custard like vanilla of Guerlain’s L’Art a Matiere line. However this has a sensual and slightly brutal floral kick in the form of strong musk (at least in the beginning) and saffron. When this earthy, slightly rough, musky nature is curdled into a soft creamy, gourmand, milk with touches of nutmeg and tonka on a sandalwood base, it becomes something very special indeed. In the same way I feel about Musc Ravageur, as much as I enjoyed it, Dries van Noten is one of those ‘when do I wear it?’ type of fragrances. I own Musc Rav but it doesn’t get worn very much, I suspect this is slightly more versatile and I am genuinely considering adding it to my wardrobe because I really liked it.
PlutAssutty – :
@jg2758
I’m only browsing here, but couldn’t resist being pulled up by your review. There absolutely is such a note – sacrasol. It’s declared explicitly by FM themselves, although it isn’t listed here.
Whilst I’m here though, although I neither possess this perfume nor have worn it, I do remember, trawling through FM perfumes with copious supply of cardboard (and Sandra, who is extremely professional and helpful) at the Selfridges boutique, I was sharply pulled up by this one, finding it very distinguished and enticing, and it was on my shortlist (veryshortlist, even) … but just managed to fall off.
Teendyagide – :
I’m not sure what, but there’s a note in here that unsettles me. It smells like some kind of edible note, like a nut or something. The overall scent is very gourmand, so an off note is an especially big problem.
I wish I could say what it was, but I like all of the listed notes. So… It’s a bit of a mystery for now.
Sillage is moderate, but the scent is light as opposed to dense. Longevity is good.
EDIT: An hour or two later, the off note is gone. Or at least, it’s blended in. The scent is still an unusual gourmand, but it’s interesting rather than off-putting now.
igorist – :
The scent opens with sandalwood, backed by an odd mix – a slightly fizzy yet fatty nose feel, as if someone has mixed grapefruit Lacroix with whole milk. And like the flavoring of lacroix, the citrus notes are a vague suggestion rather than a true presence in the scent. A powdery vanilla/tonka joins and sweetens the mix, and a clean musk gives it a smooth texture. Overall the scent smells like the color ecru. There’s a light spice, but no spice notes jump out in particular. I enjoy the strong sandalwood opening, and would say that that scent is a “like”, but the sandalwood fades and the remaining scent is sort of pleasant but bland.
My boyfriend says “smells nice, soapy”, and it hits me – Dries Van Noten is a combination of the Indian mysore sandal soap we use, DK Cashmere Mist and FM Musk Ravageur. It’s a pleasant scent, not nearly as weird as my lacroix-and-milk description makes it sound. I could see it being a good everyday scent for a New York housewife of means. Mild like for me.
blackdolldw – :
On my skin this is very similar to Lidge and Pardon. Very close to Pardon (I have both on skin now)! The opening on Malle is a bit harsh, there is a animalic note in there somewhere, maybe musk. But it fades out after 15 min and the drydown is very beautyful woody vanilla show.
crazyguns – :
One of the most unique fragrances in the world. I have smelled, sampled and purchased over a 1,000 fragrances. This fragrance is in a world of its own. A high quality musk, sandalwood, vanilla and various spices are soul stirring. Is it a casual scent with blue jeans Luchesse boots or black Prada Loafers? Yes! Is it fit for a suit and tie affair? Yes and oh, yeah! It’s luxurious enough. It turns heads and takes prisoners. The ladies will say, I’m yours. However, do not blind buy. Try a good size sample first. It’s singular in its presence and sillage. .
Fleeffivy – :
The first scent my partner has commented on – very positively – w/o any prompting, and we’ve both been trying a number of different scents for the past year. For that alone, it’s a keeper. To me, in addition to the various gourmand elements, it also has a definite fake smell – hot plastic or maybe a type of rubber or melting crayons? Even after a couple of months wearing it most every day, I can’t identify the synthetic note. And the note is not unpleasant, just funky in the vanilla spice snickerdoodle mix!
vcs58 – :
Huh? Frederic Malle can do a decent scent?!
This was a real surprise, a desserty ambrosial lik scent very much like what the more celebrated CB Ambrosius and of course Malle’s own Musc Ravageur should have smelled like. In fact, this is the perfected (fixed) version!
Good to see. Smoothness and sweetness, yet spice and gourmand touches with vanilla all play to make a great Spring or Autumn, even Winter scent if sprayed liberally; plus should be a ‘safey’ for 90% of people.
Pretty good and for me by far the best in his otherwise awful line-up of scents.
My rating: 7/10
nikola34 – :
One of my favorite, it was love on first sniff
I tested it and went away from store and couldn’t get it out of my head/nose
I bought samples and later got 100ml (from my husband)
I love it it is so rich luxury gourmet but not cloying scent
Soft vannila, tonka bean, saffron on me qiute powdery
And it doesn’t have lilly of the valley that almost all better fragrances have that is great as i am extra allergic on it (nausea)
vildbord – :
OMG were have you been all my life , i love this perfume if you have tom ford noir well this is a twin leaning a bit more masculine ,just a little bit.
i adore this one , if you like cashmere , minimalist jewelry , heavy luxurious packaging this is for you i feel this is something that can instantly make you feel like the most luxurious cashmere sweater in the world , sillage is killer .
adorbs
devled – :
عجیب
چرب و روغنی
بی تفاوت
———–
Scent & Qualiy: 7/10
Longevity: 8/10
Sillage: 5/10
Creativity & Uniqueness: 8/10
Affordability: 2/10
———–
Overall: 6/10
Moshe770 – :
I remember the buzz this generated when it came out; we were all expecting this great new sandalwood. Well, the sandalwood component was a bit underwhelming, but the fragrance as a composition was an instant winner, an instant classic. Would miss this very much if they ever pulled it.
DvN is a light, modern-style oriental with an edgy, urban vibe. Both powdery and creamy at the same time, with a cool rubber-like undercurrent. The website says the perfumer played with sandalwood’s milky side, but it’s more the tangy, tart side that I get. That note and the saffron add some woody-spicy sharpness to the lemon-custard sweetness. Makes for a must-have masculine in the same plush style of Sycomore and Lubin‘s Idole EdP, but with some edge to it.
Scores an easy 9/10.
TromiptyWW – :
Creamy, woody, spicy scent, almost desert-like but not quite. Very distinct, slightly reminds me of Musc Ravageur, but I think I prefer this one to MR.
I thought it was a beautiful fragrance, perfect for winter-time, you know, when you want something woody and sweet but not gourmand. But of course, opinions on this scent may differ. My SO, for example, thought it smelled like dental office… go figure!
nikolaikras – :
I bought SL Jeux de Peau on the weekend – and I have a sample of this as well. So I will be one of those people that will say they aren’t really alike at all. To me this is really dry and very woody – definitely oriental and not gourmand: sandalwood – guaiac and plenty of patchouli. I don’t get any sweetness. I don’t mind sweetness at all but this is not that. Very sophisticated, elegant and befitting of the name. A little bit of spice in there – mostly nutmeg and saffron maybe? I barely get any vanilla or other foody notes.
Lasts quite a while – seems to be better performing than other Malle’s I’ve found.
So I was searching for a summer fragrance – and this is not it – but I will put it on the list for when the cool weather comes around.
jonn007 – :
I am recently going through intensive “guaiac wood phase” of my perfumed life. I’ve always loved Theorema and Le Feu d’issey but now I do actively seek less known compositions containing this note. Dries van Noten by Frederic Malle has the guaiac in the merry companion of some my favourite other notes: vanilla, tonka, saffron and nutmeg. Had it on my radar for a while but never had a chance to test. Today, while on holiday I stepped into a niche perfumery where all the Malles where proudly displayed. I thought it will be a tough choice between so many great offerings by the house, but Dries Van Noten won me over right away. I could not walk away empty handed. When my husband had a sniff he said it is like eating vanilla custard in Amazon forest. Damn right
viytor – :
a milky vanilla cookie dipped in champagne
чупакабра2011 – :
Incr~edible;-)
hst741speagoessenda – :
Bruno Jovanovic is a master of ambiguity and one of the most talented perfumers. I admire him for other creation for Frederic Malle – Monsieur and, when I tested Dries Van Noten I was surprised that the perfumer follows consistently his ideas, some favorite flavors and the idea that the perfume must have two levels of expression.
If combination of patchouli, incense and brandy of Monsieur, besides specific flavor of the ingredients, suggests a high quality cloth, Dries Van Noten suggests a synthetic leather clothing. If Monsieur is classic, Dries Van Noten is avant-garde.
The combination of sandalwood, vanilla and Safron creates the strange impression of a medicinal product, but as it is worn, it becomes addictive.
The composition is very complex, I recognize common parts with Monsieur and the projection is enormous – can be worn only casual or outdoors, I think the creations of Bruno Jovanovic for Frederic Malle are the most bold of the entire collection.
Strangely to my classic soul, though seems to have come from another world, I fell in love with this fragrance.
Fragrance 10/10
Projection Medium
Longevity 16 h
Caseexhipse – :
As a frag-head, I’m very aware of people around me wearing fragrances. More often than not, the scents I detect on others conform to well-defined norms.
But when I encountered Dries Van Noten by Frederic Malle on someone who was visiting my workspace, I was immediately impressed at how ‘non-conformist’ and distinctive this refined fragrance was. In fact, I was hooked the instant I smelt it.
After finding out its identity, I asked my work partner to bring me back a bottle from London.
It’s an especially hard smell to describe. The word I read the most in reviews on this page that I agree with is ‘creamy’. Yes, this scent has a buttery, creamy quality. This creaminess could also perhaps be described as a hazy fuzziness. I do not get too many sweet characteristics though. For me, it’s a gorgeous spicy, woody scent. It’s not too vanillic either, instead the vanilla and the sandlewood have morphed together into perfect balance and, I suspect, this aspect of the scent contributes to the whole creamy, hazy effect.
Performance is off the charts. One spray before bed will infuse the sheets and still be obvious the following morning.
Dries Van Noten by Frederic Malle is in a whole other league in terms of artistic expression and quality.
Utterly glorious.
MaxPankov – :
Btw reviews here are very contradictory and confusing
There are those who called it spicy and oriental
And those who smell it sugary and sweet
As i wrote below :on me it is powdery, leather, vanillla musky sweet
Maybe are there two kinds ? Reformulated??
I smelled it from bottle and i have original sample of it
KochI – :
I got sample from niche parfume boutique
Reading the review it looks i am only one on who it is powdery
On me it is very powdery little bit leathery beautiful scent
No spicy or balsamic not nutmeg or cloves thanks Gd
Jasmin, patchuli, vanilla and tonka bean, musk and something i cant identify
PARTIZAN-06797 – :
smell very sugary but in a nice way, not cheap n very cozy. i do like it n i expected it to last but sillage is weak n not lasting like the other fms..
mgramaton – :
The most essential dessert in India is called ‘kheer’, better known to English speakers as rice pudding. Kheer can be accented by a variety of spices, such as saffron, nutmeg, cardamom, or clove, and may be finished with rosewater or dried fruits. And the more I smell this, the more I am transported to every single time I have tasted kheer. Kheer may be less or more sweet, and this one I am smelling is not very sweet, but redolent of saffron, nutmeg, and vanilla, and cream. You are not over the bowl; the scent is in the room as you walk in from the cold, into warm fragrant air. Still there is something cooling in the air…is it the cloves? Normally I don’t care for them, but I am in reverie that not even cloves can disturb… Yes, though I smell this as a feminine fragrance, I would like to smell it on a man.
EDIT: I enjoyed the little wisps of scent from my wrists all day today. I’m surprised it’s lasted as long as it has. I applied it at 8 on a mild day and it’s still going strong at 4. I’m liking this more and more.
uggs outletp1 – :
hi
i used to talk about the perfumes as i see them directly and how they look like without talk about the ingredients .. this perfume is perfect and innovative i have it and i love it but it’s smells like panadol bills .. end of story
al1234557 – :
Fragrance made by Malle on behalf of the famous designer.
The base of this Oriental fragrance is a pretty creamy sandalwood, it could even be said that beaten, with little evolution, something that could make it a little boring by the resulting monochrome, I also perceive a background cocktail with woods and musks that accompany this Striking sandalwood that nuances clean and sober aspects, which provokes the soul of the aroma. I like it because the result is elegant, clean, different and even avant-garde.
The aroma is good, the original mixture, the projection is moderate and the duration excellent, being able to use in fresh days and I recommend also the nocturnal use, being able to show there all its splendor.
Rating: 8
hahaha166545 – :
There’s something overwhelmingly bitter in this, an almost medicinal note that kills the whole thing for me. If you want warm, cosy, tea and waffles go for Kerosene’s Unknown Pleasures or even Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau.
ETA: I keep craving this despite the weird note!
NiP – :
It reminds me of “Vanillakipferl”, an ultra buttery vanilla biscuit. I smell milk, lemon peel, and vanilla. It’s comforting, and I liked it more the more often I wore it. Also got compliments from coworker and husband.
агел555 – :
Zabaglione with saffron and nutmeg. Smells yellow and creamy. For winter.
iax380Negeltzex – :
This is a pleasant perfume, but IMHO it’s not worthy of its price point. It’s a synthetic milky woody vanilla with low sillage. It smells a lot like Wheaties, like when you open a new box and there is the scent of the wheat cereal plus cardboard. This is not oriental at all, mostly woody. I sincerely think it has been reformulated. I purchased a brand-new bottle from Barneys, certainly not a fake, and it is nothing like others have described in years past; absolutely no spice to be found.
I find Dame’s Mexican Vanilla and Carner’s Palo Santo to both be in the same vein as Dries, and I’d suggest trying them if you end up finding the sillage of this to be as poor as it is on me. Carner’s perfume is more milky, boozy, gourmand and a lot sweeter, so be prepared for that. Dame’s vanilla is less woody and you actually can smell the nutmeg that is supposed to be in Dries.
tyupaandrey – :
Sampling tonight and it’s goooooood. Warm, wood, vanilla. It’s sexy and alluring. I would love to smell like this everyday. Has a little sandalwood vibe to it too. But still good for the sweet lovers.
newsome819 – :
When I was looking at which FM’s to sample, this one caught my eye. Just by the note listing, I knew I would love it. After I got my sample and tried it, my gut instinct was right, I love it!
A very woodsy-oriental, kinda dry but smooth and creamy at the same time. What comes to my mind when I smell this is sitting next to my wood burning stove (minus the burnt wood smell), sipping a vanilla latte on a cold winter day, curled up in a warm, cozy blanket. I see where others have commented on it being gourmand and my nose pick up some gourmand nuances, but it’s not full on gourmand. I will say that on my skin, saffron gives off a dry vibe, so I think that’s where I’m getting that from but the vanilla, sandalwood, and tonka keep it from being too dry and they seem to add a creaminess to it. As others have mentioned, it’s not loud, but not soft either. I will say that one might sample this first; it might be too woodsy for some. For me, it’s another FM on my want list!
Thank you, Frederic Malle!
Sepultura – :
I absolutely love this fragrance. This is what Serge Lutens “Jeux de Peau” should have smelled like. Almond croissants in the morning with cafe au lait. Perfect for a rainy sunday morning in bed.
bodik – :
I was so excited to finally try this fragrance. I bought sample direct from F Malle. Its got all my favourite notes so how could i go wrong. I blame the saffron which can be unpredictable on my skin. The saffron, vanilla and sandalwood just dislike each other on me. To say Im gutted is an understatement. Wheres the kulphi? Wheres the sweet spices? Wheres the eggnog?
I get a strange strong medicinal woody smell and thats it. End of!
For goodness sake please test this first. 95% of fragrances stay true to their notes on me so I am baffled.
Rafa50 – :
Now how did I know from the notes I would love this. This is not a gourmand, though I do smell vanilla wafers with a glass of eggnog on the side with this. The sandalwood is some of the best I have smelled. The gualac wood on the sideline. It is drop dead gorgeous and sexy. Thank goodness I bought this for myself. I think I would follow behind a man wearing this and get accused of being a stalker. I keep hugging myself and breathing in deep the rich, comforting aroma. No one can accuse me of hitting on myself (smile). My husband and son have been giving me funny looks. when I raise and cross my arms across my chest, then put my wrists up to my nose and moan.
mirzepur1989 – :
Is there something wrong with my sample ??!
So many were talking about this perfume being a gourmand, smelling like vanilla pudding, dessert, cookies, custard, etc. I don’t get ANY of those notes. Don’t get me wrong, I was not expecting this perfume to smell like Pink Sugar & Co. I read about the notes before buying so I had an idea about what to expect.
Here’s what I smell: Cloves (lots of it) and a wet diaper base note, that’s all!
It’s not a decant, it’s a miniature I found on eday. The packaging is well made and looks very legitimate. So what is the problem, the sample? My nose? My skin?
Help!
grin 99mc – :
Opening is nice and cozy, mostly about creamy sandalwood/vanilla, with promise of comforting sensuality as in Musc Ravageur, L’air de Rien or even Jeux de Peau. As the rest of the spices kick in, the coziness yields and the high-pitched, bitter note (Peru balsam) and the woody notes take it over to the masculine side.
Too bad for me, but it’s quite sexy on a man 🙂
scale20 – :
This looks yum yum. If anybody has a decant could you please PM me if you don’t mind? I feel like i sm really going to like this. I have been saving this house for last, i have yet to smell anything from Malle. Thanks guys!
KaeN – :
Smells like milk and almond biscotti. I want to eat it.
ricco_80 – :
This perfum has something I didn’t find at any other else !! How easy, relaxing, dreaming and suitable to wear anytime ! It is a perfum that easily change ur mode and keep u sniff non stoppable .
P.s: least FM collection in projection. But my best and signature scent
kirill.drozd – :
Spicy and exotic, this is a pungent mix of spices and I pick up an amber note underneath. The resinous note sadly doesn’t sit well on my skin.
dimarik999 – :
Eggnog! Crème brulee! Custard! All delicious things, all evoked when I sprayed this on my skin. I don’t mind smelling like dessert so I think it’s fantastic. Nutmeg is definitely an under-used and under-rated spice in perfumery but it’s front and center here.
However…I read on some perfume blogs that after that initial burst of top notes, people stop being able to smell this perfume on themselves, even though other people they meet can still smell it on them (i.e. it’s like temporary anosmia and not an issue of fragrance longevity). The same thing happened to me after about ten minutes, which was very strange (and disappointing, because I wanted to keep on sniffing this deliciousness). A few hours later, I was able to smell it again on my skin, where it had sublimated into the typical woody-gourmand drydown of vanilla, tonka, and woody notes. Pleasant, yes, but hardly unique. In fact, it smelled quite similar to Tom Ford Noir at that point.
This is another one for my long list of, “If I won the lottery, I would buy this without hesitation because it smells lovely, but for what it is, it doesn’t justify the massive price tag.” I like it, and it’s a deliciously cozy concoction, but it doesn’t have as much personality as Malle’s Musc Ravageur.
dav2811977 – :
A warm, cozy scent that I wear in the winter. I got a sample of this when I bought a bottle of Musc Ravageur (also my winter scent). When I use that up, I’ll probably buy the Dries Van Noten. It’s a warm, creamy, vanilla sandalwood. I’m not even into vanilla in most cases, but this really just settles into my skin in an irresistible way. Lots of compliments, more than with Musc Ravageur. Dudes are very much into it, just like when I wear Carnal Flower in the summer.
aidar2790 – :
If Hygge had a smell…
This fragrance is rightly described as “entering a cosy room” and was inspired by the person of clothing designer Dries Van Noten – a personal friend of Frederic.
The scent itself is not challenging yet absolutely unique and very comforting. Notes of Mysore sandalwood and vanilla sprinkled with saffron and nutmeg/citrus notes to lift the fragrance. It vaguely reminds of speculoos – but rather “the process of baking speculoos”, taking elements of it – than the actual smell of speculoos cookies. This makes it very sophisticated and a proper perfume – its also pretty long lasting and creates a beautiful scent bubble.
_ZoZo_Ренат – :
First, the name is misleading. This is Noten for Malle, this is Malle for Noten. It was a tribute to the Belgian designer who inspired Malle and carried his perfumes originally. Second, it reminds me of Noten in terms of the Indian smell (Noten uses a lot of Indian embroidery on his clothes) and also just like Notens clothes its in your face with s bit of sophistication. Third, it’s definitely s Malle fragrance but it lacks the sophistication of the others. There isn’t much of a burn down and the complexity isn’t quite their. I highly recommend this for a cold winter night. It’s spicy and warm.
Shkiperr88 – :
3 year old son always comments on this one “you smell lovely mummy” probably the reason it’s my signature, it lends itself well to the body butter, especially in the cold weather, very comforting and easy to wear.
Tiniupdantatt – :
Abrarem without the heavy castorium note…still very nice!
soyuz_71 – :
Dries Van Noten, what a beauty…
A gourmand delight with woody, herbal/floral undertones, a hit of citrus and a pleasant touch of animalic musk. Great for night time use due to it’s sexiness. The longevity is great and projection is moderate to great. To give your nose a feel: it has a Musc Rava sort of vibe (I’m a sucker for Musc Ravageur). Not many fragrances now at days impress me much but this one right here hits a home run.
I won’t say much on this juice, try it out.
TETPLAVAJUT – :
Blech…you know, I gave “Dries Van Noten” a good few chances, but I simply must conclude it’s a pungent, shrieking mess from start to finish.
The clove, lemon, sandalwood and jasmine are dialed up to an obnoxious degree, and the overwhelming sharpness gives me an instant headache. I feel as though I can taste washing up liquid on the back of my tongue as I type here. Soon after, I become suffocated by the dense, porridge-y under layer of vanilla and tonka bean. The saffron adds a ponderous leather note into the mix, which feels completely out of place, caught awkwardly between the shrieking sharpness and the cloying sweetness.
This is not a harmonious perfume; This is a noisy squabble for attention which leaves me feeling as though I’ve been hit in the face with a freshly powdered baby diaper full of soap flakes.
In fact the suffocating vanilla and clove reminds me a lot of “Musc Ravageur”, which if you liked, you will probably enjoy this. I, however, need to breathe some fresh air.
opponeeds – :
The opening of this is absolutely amazing; semi-sweet vanilla, almost gourmandish. The drydown is overly powdery and pungent. It is reminiscent of smelling a baby’s diaper. I wanted to love this and almost did…
I can however appreciate the authenticity of the sandalwood/vanilla opening, and I can see this being coveted by some…
Николайтрифонов – :
An absolute must for the Holidays. Wore this in the summer at first and although amazing, it didn’t quite fit. Fast forward to December. Huge difference. Perfect cold weather scent. Your significant other will want to rip off your sweater and eat you. Guerlain is probably thinking this should’ve been our scent with its signature vanille.Rivals SDV and Tonka Imperiale. Yes you will smell like a Belgian pastry and you will smell great! Great sillage and longevity, lots of compliments. Easy four out of five stars. If you don’t get it at first or second wearing, give it a little time and try it again maybe a year later in the late fall or winter. You’ll love it. Another outstanding release from Malle.
JordanRZ – :
When I sniffed the cap I got a lot of Peru Balsam in the first place. It’s just pure Peru Balsam to me. Then when you spray you get a lot of nuances saffron and bergamot in the top, guaiac and sandalwood in the middle. I liked it a lot.
Burlipan – :
A gourmand hymn to sandalwood…Dries Van Noten is the first in a series of “portraits” by Frédéric Malle of people he admires. In this case, the eponymous Belgian fashion designer. This was actually made as a huge “thank you” note to the designer, who supported Frédéric Malle by selling his fragrances in his store in Antwerp from the very beginning. He also uses an unconventional yet very warm and human touch in terms of fashion style (he famously said he would never make a piece of clothing which could never be sold in a store, so no “haute couture” or “exclusive” collections like most other big fashion labels), and that was also something that Malle admired.
In this creation, Malle’s “perfume portrait” of the designer, he took inspiration from the designer’s hometown, Antwerp, and the (Flemish) culture of northern Belgium. Essentially, Frédéric Malle here created a sandalwood composition, because sandalwood is warm and inviting when used in perfumes (it’s often considered a “second skin” type of scent), and that sandalwood is boosted with vanilla, lots of it, and musk, saffron, jasmine, bergamot and cashmeran, a synthetic molecule which smells like slightly woody, musky human skin (this was used quite a lot in Frédéric Malle’s other release Dans Tes Bras, a fragrance which literally translates as “in your arms“).
So what do I get from it? Well, to me it comes across as a borderline gourmandish, (very) creamy sandalwood, vanilla, saffron, jasmine, bergamot musk combination. In fact, it has a touch of Shalimar (the jasmine, vanilla & bergamot combination). But to me it’s more creamy than Shalimar (it’s actually closer to Samsara in my opinion), it’s a lot like a pastry. Which makes sense, because Malle also drew inspiration from the sights and smells of Belgium, including it’s food. Food such as waffles, crêpes, and biscuits. I find this a very warm and inviting fragrance, the sandalwood here is extremely authentic (Malle lists it as Mysore Sandalwood but it’s actually Indian Sandalwood (name: santalum album) grown in Australia). This is not a synthetic sandalwood substitute, this is the real stuff, but obviously enhanced with other synthetic ingredients such as Sacrasol which Malle describes as “an ingredient halfway between sandalwood and vanilla”, and ethyl-maltol which is an ingredient used in many gourmand fragrances (ie the “candy” note in Thierry Mugler’s Angel).
I think if you like you’re scents warm, rich and comforting, you’ll like this one. If you like a gourmand twist to fragrances, you’ll like this also. It’s strong, as in it lasts a long time (8-10 hours on skin, and even lasts weeks on clothes), but it sits very close to the skin after the first 2 hours. But that’s a good thing, as the natural sandalwood, musk and vanilla compliments the skin beautifully and really makes it come alive. In my opinion this is a perfect one for cuddling with someone on the sofa by the fire. Perfect in cooler weather, with a wool or cashmere sweater. It’s very “comfy” in warm and sexy way.
Some people have labelled this a “safe” fragrance from
Frédéric Malle (who is known for making “unconventional” fragances), but I think this is worth the price alone mainly because of the (very) authentic sandalwood oil concentration, and the way it is used in this perfume (and Malle always uses high concentrations of natural raw ingredients in his perfumes – for example the Vetiver in Vétiver Extraordinaire, or the Tuberose in Carnal Flower). It should be on your list if you live in a place with cool weather as I think this works great on those warm, indoor settings by the fire, with a loved one by your side. I don’t see this as a disappointment, I see this as another great creation from Frédéric Malle, this is a gourmand hymn to sandalwood… and I love it!
syrogat – :
My first review for fragrantica! So, DVN par FM smells like a slice of heaven. A delicious and complex blend of spice, woods, and the most delicious vanilla ever. It’s warm, creamy, and comforting without being heavy. Cozy and smells so good. I ordered the 30ml travel size but the SA talked me into getting the 50ml; honestly i wish i got the 100ml.
kazaserp – :
Un sandalo vellutato complesso, originale, moderno, cremoso ma speziato, legnoso ma lievissimamente fiorito, sexy, elegante, raffinatissimo. Per me il rischio dei profumi al sandalo è la sensazione monotematica piatta, cioè sentire legno aromatico e bon. Il Dries ha invece una bellissima evoluzione, un’armonia di note che crea un unicum perfetto. Le spezie sono ben presenti ma ammorbidite da vaniglia e gelsomino.
Esiste anche il body butter.
Aggiungo un appunto sull’evoluzione : dopo una splendida presentazione speziata, il sandalo perde vigore e si liquifica in crema. La vaniglia prende il sopravvento e Dries Van Noten si trasforma in Musc Ravageur.
Temo che il mio amore per questo profumo (che resta eccellente) si sia molto ridimensionato, ahimè, causa deriva vanigliosissima…
Prostochok – :
This is a gorgeous, minimalist scent. Some men may consider it a b