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.
sergarik3331svo – :
Calligraphy Rose smells like something ultra expensive or niche, like something from Amouage. It’s a luxurious rose and incense/myrrh fragrance. No oud, just that beautiful resinous incense and dark, dark rose. So well blended that the saffron does not jump out at me the way saffron usually does.
When it dries down it reminds me of being in a tobacco store even though there is no tobacco. Just a rich dark rose incense. Definitely for women or men.
appens – :
Smells so much like a complete mix or rose musc from narciso and nuit intense. Spicy spicy rose. Not my cup of tea, but definitely could see people liking it.
Nova163 – :
blind bought this from recommendations of two youtubers. i got it and sprayed it on immediately. on first sniff, super strong!!! the rose and incense smell which i am guessing is the myrrh, were out for blood!!! i had to wait about 4 hours to start smelling the beautiful more calm(not really calm yet) mix of the rose and sweet smoky myrrh side. to me this is pretty manly. i don’t mind wearing it. and my girl thought it is very manly. lasted all night. that’s about 15 hrs since i sprayed it on!!!.
very long lasting. on clothes, a week or two. honesty!!! love this on.
definitely not a safe blind buy. try it first. unlike what i did. luckily i love it.
xsvan – :
I layered this with Black Opium which I have a 1/2ml sample of and it’s really nice…
Deader – :
This to me is a heavenly rose fragrance! I adore everything about this and as a rose lover this is right up my alley. I like how it is definitely a rose centered perfume but the rose is not sickly sweet at all. At first it is like wow you smell the rose but then they dry down starts and to me that is so enjoyable in this perfume. As this settles into the skin the myrrh,frankincense, and other resins start to work their magic making this even more delicious to wear. I really like labdanum and this has a nice dose that really makes this smell lovely! It turns into to me the most delicious rose incense perfume.
I also like the price point and how readily you can find this but I don’t get why this was discontinued?!?! This perfume to me is so wonderful so I will be buying backups. In terms of sillage and longevity it amazes me! This stays on my skin till the next day. Clothes longer so the longevity is crazy good! For sillage I’d say this can be very heavy for some for me I’d say it is heavy but I actually like that. I only need a few sprays to achieve a good scent trail. I don’t douse myself in this I just use about 4 sprays and it stays perfect.
I love how the resins surround the rose in this perfume. It feels like the rose isn’t overwhelmed or overshadowed to me it’s a perfect balance.I also enjoy how their is a sweetness but it’s tempered. This truly is a great perfume! I like to wear this in any weather except super hot as on me it could project too much like Narciso’s scents do so I think this is perfect for up to early Summer where I live. I don’t like weather or age constraints in a scent so I just wear this when I want and am happy. I think this is great for formal occasions too.
I love CR and would recommend it to any rose lover who likes a good perfume or enjoys balsamic scents. To me this is everything I’m looking for in a perfume. It’s not too sweet or to clean from the lavender it literally to me is a big beautiful rose surrounded by resins and it is lovely!
кичик-кич – :
This smells like the perfumes my Middle Eastern Grandma wears. Warm rose. This is probably my favorite Rose perfume. I feel like a Ancient Middle Eastern queen
tioma91 – :
I can attest what corkscrewcurly said is true. I read the thread started by the originale of that “entourage” talking about using the review section to practice her writing skills. We reported this to the forum but no action was taken. They even took down the thread.
Xeroxcodjq – :
Gosh, I am so in love with this perfume, it’s definitely my most beloved rose perfume, dispels my gloom and sadness with its dusky beauty….
Xeroxywzuq – :
Paulie, Thank you so much for this unbelievable gift. You have got a heart of gold.
I love this perfume, it’s heady, exotic and big sillage and fantastic longevity.
I had been through such a rough time lately and had been very down. Eventhough you don’t know me, you have sent me gifts I really appreciate your kindness and generosity.
This is of the same vibes but better than Opium to me, it’s more unique and just that exquisite touch of Oud amidst the dusky rose.
I am transported to a night market just setting up at dusk in the East, just strolling, walking, sensing, the life, the history, the melancholy, the joy, the spiritual air…..there are incense burning and smell of sweat, flowers and sweets. The scent reminds me of home, in another lifetime, it’s not a perfume to me this one, it’s the scent of that hustle bustle night market, yet tranquil, I could see myself covered in a robe and sandals on my feet…
I can’t explain….
Now that I had worn it for the day…
That’s what it feels like, the scent of Deja Vu
MakaChinkosy – :
It smells strongly of purported Bulgarian rose co2 extracted oil that I once owned, very rich and sweet, but likely boosted with citronellol/damascones. Other than that, I smell frankincense, vanilla, and clean white musk. Compares favorably, and much more cheaply, to Amouage Lyric, but if you smell Amouage Lyric, this just won’t ever do. Still, this is a deep, resinous, and rich fragrance that doesn’t hit any screechy or harsh notes. I detect no oud that others mention here, nor any sort of woody or patchouli notes. For $40 to $50, if you’re a rose lover, you can’t go wrong.
Xcube – :
Nice, not bad but still not the best of its kind-I’m still searching for my ultimate spicy rose. This is indeed similar to By Kilian Oud Rose which I have a full bottle of. The rose note in this is really pretty and jammy but overall the BK one is more put together and refined as a whole, the myrrh adds a nice soapy element to this but theres something sharp in this too so although I love the rose note here, I think I like rose combined with oud more than I like it with resinous notes (though I’m not sure exactly which resinous note is making CR sharp) and I won’t buy a full bottle of this. A different perfume that only shares the jammy rose note with this is Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady which is woody but not sharp, and a good alternative to this if you love the rose note here but not the rest of the composition. I will say though, this is amazing quality for the price, all the rose perfumes I’m comparing it to are well over $200 and this is definitely better than rose perfumes in its own price range. You must like sharp resinous notes to fully appreciate this though. I guess I don’t, I like woodsy roses.
npai – :
The depth and richness of this fragrance is indescribable, Incense and deep deep rich rose.
Hober – :
The rose, romance, then the resins, mirth, styrax etc.
My God this must be one orgasmic, romantic, glorious scent.
prohor_198 – :
Do not judge this fragrance by the opening…let it settle and you will be rewarded…one of the most beautiful incense rose combos with an animalic side…just gorgeous. Totally unisex imo. So sexy it’s unreal! I haven’t worn it in a bit, wearing it today I cannot believe that I had neglected it for so long.
Blacksimac – :
Yes the rose is Turkish rose and if you expect so rosey (the rose like jlo blue) nooo it’s not that rose. I preferred normal rose not Turkish… it’s ambergris musk and Turkish rose… I just bought for my girlfriend. It disappointed me … dry down is much better …. absolutely in dry down I can smell black tea
dimonj4 – :
Well this was an object lesson in not judging a perfume until it’s had a chance to dry down properly.
I am testing from a decanted sample.
On first spraying, I hated it. I don’t dislike rose perfumes, but the first 20 minutes of Calligraphy Rose were ROSE at nuclear strength, a solifloral blast of overwhelming proportions, which actually made me feel a bit dizzy.
But… AAAAHHHHH… the drydown… warm resins and myrrh.
This must be what heaven smells like.
ikq884speagoessenda – :
A sultry Turkish rose! Harvested at dawn while the aroma is radiant. Regal amid a panorama of ‘red gold’ saffron, powdery lavender, and sunny honeysuckle. A tinge of fresh oregano leaves! Expensive spice and resins linger in the air . . . amber, myrrh, labdanum, olibanum . . . eminently combined with the Queen of flowers.
Calligraphy Rose’s accord is complex and interesting. The saffron and powdered lavender make the accord feel like the arid air where this rose is grown. Dry and earthy, mingled with resins, it’s exotic without being overt. There’s also a touch of ambergris and white musks that give weight to this air, a supporting desert-mirage richness. Meant to echo scents of the Middle East, rose is written in Arabic on the bottle. Kudos to Aramis! Worthy of a sheik!
321lol123 – :
Cher “How do I look?”
Winona Ryder “you look like a woman who is about to sin.”
Cher “Perfect. That was the idea”
Mermaids (1990)
Well, if you think about it, this is a perfume, no offense, I say it playing, which really smells like how it could smell a prostitute in the 50s. Of those dressed a little ‘in Spanish, red dress and black lace, Carmen style. Not very young one.
It really smells of sweat and other body odors covered in talcum, musk and rose. Smell also like Olive sauce. It is funny because while i was thinking that I have read a similar comment here below Emilleigh talk about green olives.
Very interesting carnal scent, but it takes courage to wear it and go around with it on.
Very animal.
I have written a serious comment just a few week ago so forgive me.
Alexei123 – :
I love rose scents, and Calligraphy Rose must be one of the most discussed and loved ones on Fragrantica, so I was very excited to try it when I was offered a decant in a swap. And I have to join the chorus on this one: I think it’s pretty great, too, at least in the drydown.
In the opening, this powerhouse of a scent always hits me like a hammer, and I think it isn’t bad, but definitely not for me – too medicinally sweet, too heavy, too oriental, just too much. But then it calms down and it develops into this extremely comfortable cold weather scent: a distinctly warm rose, still very sweet but in a nicely dry, smoky way. It doesn’t lose any power either, it easily lasts all day and projects very nicely. I imagine it would be unbearable on a warmer day, and overspraying is certainly not an option with this one, but right now, in the middle of January, one or two sprays of it are lovely.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever get a full bottle, since I usually don’t get much wear out of scents if I don’t enjoy the opening (however much I know I love the drydown). But I agree with Fragranticans everywhere: this is a must-try for rose lovers, especially those who like their scents on the heavier side and those living in colder climates.
ajrec – :
too sweet for my taste
it has an arabian vibe
quite good actually
but i feel the rose has been totally covered by the other notes
sweet medical smell
not a like
but not a dislike either
soedovfen – :
stephen.bozer
SouthernBlonde
Gigithefashionista
lucia.lawson
eliza.gelman
carolyn.parker
auroramcandless
brian.fitzgerald
marina.zubov
sasha.talan
shauna.parra
etc etc etc
These reviewers are all the same person – same writing style, same LOOOOONG personal reveries about the fragrance – same tendency to say “Thank you” to the perfume house and to eBay. stephen, southernblonde have definitely both reviewed Calligraphy Rose.
This needs to stop. I wouldn’t mind betting they don’t have the vast perfume wardrobes that some of their characters claim to have – or that they’ve even smelled some of them.
You want to practice writing? Start a blog.
This isn’t helpful to genuine users of Fragrantica. Another thing about this duplicity which annoys me is that they can enter competitions to win something multiple times and – potentially – win multiple prizes. They can also “thumbs-up” their own reviews. Clearly this person needs external validation, but I don’t see why we should be the people to provide it for them.
Thanks to Lizardbreath for confirming my suspicions.
erallDrobonee – :
I agree with pepperoniann’s review below. This could definitely be someone’s perfect incense rose fragrance, but for me it was sour and pungent. I’m so disappointed! It smelled like a rose dipped in green olives. Oh well, my search continues.
Николай1970 – :
My mother burns papiers d’Arménie in her house — these are coated with styrax sap. If you don’t recognise styrax, you may not realise how dominant it is in Calligraphy Rose. Goes gorgeously with the rose.
Does it last all day? Not on me, but although I have dry skin, it puts in a decent day’s work at around 6 hours. It isn’t loud for long.
A great everyday perfume if you like every day to feel 50% Eastern mystery, 10% abandoned manor, 25% Medieval medicine, 15% Dracula. Which I do.
arbet12 – :
Calligraphy Rose is stunning. I’m already buying more backup bottles of CR! I already have 2 and will ask for another for the holiday. It is a rich, resiny, almost edible rose, saffron and myrrh delight. The drydown is the BOMB, but the beginning and middle are also intoxicating. I have not been this impressed with a newer fragrance since Cuir de Lancome. I love my 80’s and 90’s vintages so anything from 2000 onward has usually struck me as “meh.” If you love rose in a fragrance, do give this scent a try.
jdanov79 – :
When Rose de Taif* meet Musc Ravageur.
Since the first second I noticed, under a floating big rose, a strong presence of a fragrance wich is similar with Musc Ravageur by Malle (see also Meharées and Myrrhae by l’Erbolario) this is more in evidence on the drydown when the rose disappear.
This is a modern-vintage fragrance wich screams luxury but in some way it also remind me an oil you can find in an indian shop.
So I can say this is a cheap-luxury perfume maybe.
Rose and Amber based scents are very in fashion nowday but togheter made something really old-shool where the rose is almost suffocated by the rest. Basically here: Rose Ambroxan and Myrrh/opoponax on a musk base
I can see the mother of the mother of the mother of my grandmother coming from The Sheltering Sky with this scent on.
But in some way this fragrance is full of magnetism.
Intriguing by sure.
*Perris Monte Carlo.
Rose Calligraphy remember me also a little bit Tocade by Rochas and Absolute Aphrodisiac by Initio.
Marina1949 – :
If I had to pick a favorite fragrance line it’s definitely Aramis. I’ve experienced and enjoyed so many from them: Havana, Devin, Tuscany, and now this. A friend of mine from the Istanbul Turkey has worn this and send it to me as a gift. At first I was expecting a strong overpowering Arabic Persian cologne but I was quite surprised by the discreet sweetness of this fragrance. Love the bottle and the cognac dark red color of the liquid. Easily Aramis’ masterpiece.
Opens with sweet honeysuckle jam and rosewater that smells as if you could actually drink. It’s starting off like Tom Ford Café Rose with a gourmand coffeehouse aroma but definitely Persian/Middle Eastern themed. I detect the oregano and some spices in the background, the soft incense/myrrh, but this is a smoky rose scent first and foremost. The rose or rather rosewater is more of rose and incense together similar to rose incenses in Middle Eastern countries. The rose can be classified as unisex because it’s not a sweet powdery or sugary candied feminine rose. She is the same smoked rose of Chanel Egoiste and according to some of my more fragrance expert friends the rose in Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady. So if you’re a guy and wear those scents this is easy to wear.
Other scents that I pick up on while inhaling the ‘incense’ are florals of lavender and rock rose (labdanum) which gets only the slightest bit powdery. The saffron is also noticeable. These flowers are deliberately designed to blend with rose. The lavender note is masculine/unisex and probably the only floral note I like in fragrances. The scent gets dry and dark and is not as sweet as it opens. It resembles classy unisex or guy colognes made by Tom Ford as well. Smells expensive for such an affordable price. Calligraphy Rose can be worn in the autumn and winter months, best in the coldest months, as it wraps you in a warm blanket of musk and a smoke filled room of incense.
FLTS – :
I have expected long time to write something about this beautiful gem.I suspect I am very jealous of this rose.Because is like a warm embrace that leave you speechless,and lavender and powdery aspects in the heart don’t take away from it any brilliant and light moods.Drydown is like a snake of sensual sweetness.Perfect for after dinner,when you admire the sky and clouds blowing away.
crab9310 – :
Calligraphy Rose smells like high-niche quality. This can easily be sold by Amouage or By Kilian. It’s very fortunate that it’s sold at an affordable price. I’m going to really rock this one in the winter months.
Scent: 9 / 10
Projection: 8 / 10
Longevity: 8.5 / 10
hunter198 – :
I was organizing my fall/winter fragrance when my eyes went to this juice.
I had to try it and the luxurious aroma of Turkish rose with olibanum almost giving it that sense of honey. I bought several bottle, I couldn’t understand why Estee Lauder discontinued this PHENOMENAL fragrance. The added aroma of myrrh gives it that really attractive sensual aroma. For $35.00 this juice is a steel of deal. Hopefully EL will revive this juice like YSL did bring back Jazz, M7and several other classic’s. There’s no doubt that this juice is 10/10..
ice2710 – :
When a big fat beautiful red rose starts to wither, the scent changes to an almost dusky, deep version of the original. I am reminded of that intoxicating smell with Calligraphy Rose. This is a deep and mysterious perfume..there is no friendliness to it. The person who wears it must not care whether people like it or not. It’s not in line with today’s sweet and light hearted perfumes. That’s probably why it was discontinued so quickly. But, it’s right up my alley. If you enjoy Agent Provocateur (or any of its offshoots), Classique by JPG or Ma Dame, Black XS by Paco Rabanne…this is for you. Dark, syrupy, smoky rose…yum! It just works for me and I love it!
chipas – :
I agree that this should be tested before buying a full bottle, even though it’s relatively inexpensive. I happen to adore it. In my experience, it goes on a powdery ombre rose with musky amber and light resinous woods, almost vintage in feel. It’s a warm, powdered skin scent with elegance, like a hand-written invitation in rich black ink on heavy gold edged stock written by a lady in silk and roses. Okay, fantasy aside, it dries down to a delicious vanilla ice-cream/rose sherbet scent, heavy on the incense. I love it. You should not bathe in it (you should frankly NEVER bathe in your perfume; the world is getting too crowded as it is!) because it can get overpowering fast, but in moderation, this is a gem.
BihoogueriTor – :
I’m glad I only purchased a tester of this. I love oud/rose combinations and incense based perfumes. The myrrh and musk are too much for me. The rose really stands out. It’s just not my type of rose. If you like a smoky, even “smoggy” thick, oriental that isn’t sweet, I recommend testing this. It has EXCELLENT projection and longevity. 9 hours later and I am still enveloped in its cloud of dirty, wilted, musky rose petals and cloudy myrhh.
buzel – :
Seems like anything less than glowing might not stay so I’m not sure how long my review will be around, but here it goes.
I’ve heard so many great things about Calligraphy Rose ever since it first came out. However cheaper buys are only for US, so I waited and waited until I got hold of a decant. But alas this is not what I was looking for.
The scent profile of this perfume is best described as pungent and sharp compared to other rose *oud* concoctions that I think are enveloping and warm. The rose is very prominent but overwhelmed by a great does of myrrh, olibanum, and ambergris. Yes it is smoky, and there’s zero sweetness on my skin. Some reviewers noted down the medicinal sour smell of myrrh. Yes I got that too.
Others already mentioned about the sillage and longevity: this is a bomb. I was testing this and Zegna’s Indonesian Oud together. After 1 spray of CR I cannot smell anything else.
A good rose for the myrrh lover, but I much prefer rose oud perfumes. They just seem more complex with the pleasant sweet woody note that cannot be found here.
nikolaaaaay – :
Words are not enough to describe the beautiful fragrance. First of all price is good and secondly it has amazing longevity. Lastly had it not been a day when I worn and did not get asked about. 2 sprays and that is whole day whether summer or winter.
Excellently blended Rose , Saffron and resins. I fear it may also be discontinued as grabbed 3 bottles for myself.
mussminitor – :
Sweet intense beautiful and very long lasting. For the price it’s a real beauty it should cost a lot more buy it if you like sweet unique fragrances. I bought mine from allbeauty.com they are selling at very fair price.
Маария – :
Hmm… Interesting, smells very familiar yet different. The rose starts off fresh and European, then turns dusty and dark as if instantly withered (like Tom Ford’s jammy & bitter Oud Fleur mixed with Sonoma SS Rose Musc). The whole balmy aspect is very complex and well rounded as well (in order of strengths)–sweet & sticky myrrh, salty ambergris, warm & resinous labdanum, dry & leathery styrax, and lifting & slightly metallic olibanum/frankincense.
I wouldn’t call this a rose fragrance because it has such a strong amber accord. It’s definitely well worth the $50 you can find online (and it’s even more potent than a lot of the Arabian cheapos)!
*It is definitely NOT similar to any rose-ouds from Kilian, Dior, Armani, or Jo Malone; however, it does remind me of Amber Mystique, though even more Oriental.
Update: Although I was quite mesmerized by it, it doesn’t hold up against some of the best standalone rose or amber, but it’s definitely one of the best hybrid around!
1keks1k1 – :
Starts off strong, musky and sour, almost like red wine. Once the alcohol dries off, the rose instantly appears. I was hoping this would be like Tom Ford Cafe Rose (my bottle is low), but it’s far more musky and dirty. As a side by side comparison, Cafe Rose smells greener, fresher and way more sweetly floral. I blind bought this and I’m on the fence with it. For a rose scent this def tilts more masculine. This is basically a two note scent: bitter myrrh and dirty rose (in that order). Not sure where this would fall: day time or night time or casual or dressy. As a blind buy I can’t recommend as of yet, I’ll have to live with this one a bit and get back with ya’ll…
vadiostuma – :
Excellent oriental balsamic with not too overpowering rose. The only one similar and better than this is Armani rose arabie
yld309InsuffBooni – :
This is scent is amazing! I recently bought a sample and as usual I couldn’t wait to try it, so I sprayed it on the card. I was wearing a strong fragrance at the time, so I could just smell rose and was so disappointed. The next day, out of curiosity I smelled the card, and I was very pleasantly surprised. It was rose still, but also lavender, sweet resins (mostly a very sweet myrrh), ambergris, all with a barely there musk. This is now on my to buy list! On my skin, the opening is slightly masculine, once the top notes burn off it changes drastically to a smooth, sweet, almost candied rose…so beautiful. My only complaint…poor projection and longevity. I will still very likely be buying a FB, this scent it too good to pass up just because of poor performance, as it is pretty affordable.
Edit/update: after having this for a while I still love the fragrance, but now I find that the performance is actually quite good. Maybe I was a bit anosmic to it at first.
ouk798JeomiWogkig – :
This is a burning your nostrils screaming rose, just rose.Too much rose in the bottle. You must love rose to get this. Maybe a not so safe blind buy for some. Rather feminine, and I usually do not care for fragrance gender. Very potent, lasting way beyond 12 hours on two sprays only. Crazy projection. But not for me.
Spexocorronee – :
So, when I first spray this it’s a soapy rose – like “fancy” soaps my grandma or aunts kept in the guest bathroom that you weren’t actually supposed to use or touch. About 30 minutes in the spices really bloom and I also get more amber (and whatever else gives this a sort of dark feeling…maybe the Myrrh or Styrax or other notes I’m not too familiar with?) and it becomes more masculine too I suppose – though I think it stays unisex the whole time. This one is really growing on me the more I wear it. I bought it online when it was on sale for about 20 bucks – it’s well worth that price. It lasts through the whole workday and then some I’d say 10+ hours logevity with moderate sillage. I’d say this is for the winter/cold days only.
(Jan 2017)
Tigress – :
I am fan of rose smell and this one satisfies my thirst for rose. Recently aquired a decant of this. Gonna buy a bottle soon . And the most important thing .it lasts long enough .
e43 – :
I have a large decant of this. I won’t be buying a FB just because I ahve too much of everything, but it is a very pleasant perfume. I am not a huge rose fan but in this it feels like a rose jam and also reminds me of the Fresh rose petals mask, so creamy, sweet and “hugging”. Today is an extreme polar vortex cold day here and this perfume works beautifully. I feel warm sugary vanilla, spices and general comfort. It,s been three hours since I put it on and it stays strong. Very nice winter choice for me.
shelltan9 – :
well, first time I dabbed my sample on, thought it was more rose than the other notes but second time it smells different, it is more about myrrh and amber than rose. That is absolutely fine, just strange rose is still listed as top dominant note.
ieatcookies – :
The rose in this isn’t working for me. : I like the spices, they are refreshing and different but the rose is the same obnoxious slightly fake “tea rose” I get in so many cheap rose perfumes. 🙁
Edit: So after about 30 minutes the “tea rose” mellows and the spices and incense actually begin to show and the whole thing becomes much more pleasant. Still not sure this is FB worthy but at least it becomes enjoyable. So depending on your skin you may need to wait out the fake rose opening.
sgh190speagoessenda – :
i tried it.
i bought it.
i had to.
Deader – :
Oh this is beautiful. Heavenly. I adore it! I love the heavenly rose and myrrh and incense – all the spices, the herbs – the everything! Beautiful! Gorgeous!
And lemonzest; your review is wonderful! It describes the experience of wearing Perfume Calligraphy Rose better than I could dream of. It’s perfect! Thank you.
It’s an absolutely fantastic perfume. I love, love, love it!!!
eev001InsuffBooni – :
Really thought I’d love this one due to the notes listed, but NO, No, No. I tried wearing this in different weather temperatures, forcing myself to wear it all day and night for several weeks. No matter how hard I tried, it’s definitely not for me.
On my skin this perfume is a mixture of Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose, Perry Ellis 360 Red, and Dana Tabu. Too sweet, like cheap sweet/sour candy, and way too much root beer. MUCH too candy sweet to be unisex.
I’m sure some people can wear it well and enjoy it. Refuses to work with my chemistry.
McCandless – :
This opens very sharp and unpleasant for me. It is medicinal, bitter, and the rose is so very sour. I had high hopes for this one from all the love on here, and I am pretty disappointed at my immediate recoil. After the harsh opening the sweetness begins to come through making the rose more clear. At this point it is nicer, but the rose still has a sharp sour edge to it that I do not like. It smells like a plastic flower. Even if it gets more jammy and smooth farther in the drydown I would still never get this due to the opening. I will be looking elsewhere for my rose fix.
chibo – :
Nothing but a jam packed dense rose here,I know the description lists it as a balsamic frag but I think its more in the woody category.I have a couple of rose frags in my collection and this stands out just because of what i just mentioned.I think its good to have something like this because some rose frags sont last long at all
the myrrh in this is a nice touch.It dosent really start to pop until about 2 hours later on the skin.
eom202Bessinepome – :
Very similar to Rose Kashmirie from Rosines… basically a mature rose, powdery, strong, mixed with ambre, saffron and myrhh…. and just like Rose Kashmirie, the juice has a very deep cognac, orange brown color. It smells opulent, elegant and mature, warm, onctuous, without any freshness, nothing at all…. appealing and clearly oriental without feeling spicy, but the color turns me off, I cannot imagine spraying this on a white shirt…
demcitEmickss – :
Well, well, well, what else can be said about the undercover masterpiece of the Aramis line.. A perfect marriage of rose and incense that screams ‘CLASS’ enveloping the wearer in a smouldering red cloud hardly any other perfume can confer. A rose so masterfully and respectfully treated, like the queen she is..
I thought before that Grey Flannel is the best value, but this one beats it – there is no amount of money you will pay that is too much for this Rose. And sadly, it is gone already. What a shame. Would love to add a third bottle, but let’s not be greedy there… If you can find one, go for it, you will not regret. It puts to shame many a niche fragrance on all counts.
CopNeepeapate – :
@lemonzest = hahahahahaha you said, “scentphobic snowflake!” Your review is dead on. This IS a MASSIVE scent as is all Aramis scents 🙂
Medicmedic – :
This is by far the yummiest frag I know. Adorable.
Ensutsfut – :
Trying a fragrance with “Rose” in the name is an odd thing to do for someone like me who hates the smell of roses. I risk it every once in awhile if I think the rose might be fleeting enough and the rest of the fragrance compelling enough. In this case it paid off. The scent opens with a puff of rose that quickly fades away, leaving the perfume to get down to the serious business of providing a full day of beautiful, sheer, resinous, unisex beauty. To me, this is much more about myrrh than rose. Good stuff.
OMEN54 – :
What a magical mysterious rose it is, so warm and inviting, it is like you entered a Red rose church Garden with the smell of incense from inside the church mixing with the rose in the garden. Wow!
Weldatosteda – :
Calligraphy Rose
Ive heard so much about this scent here on fragrantica, so I ended up buying a bottle. The opening was very medicinal on me with the saffron, oregano and a herbal dusty sourness swirled underneath a beautiful fleshy velvet deep red jammy rose. It was a bit offputting for an hour, but some of the reviews said wait and hour or two and the butterfly emerges from the heart.
The powdery heart starts the middle and it is indeed beautiful for a rose scent. The base spices begin to seep up from the bottom supporting the rose making this better as it goes along its story. The final drydown surprised me as it was a slightly more vanillic verson of vintage EL Cinnabar’s drydown. Nice surprise.The notes swirl about and take turns. Ill be looking forward to testing this in winter.
Winter update: Much better performer. The sharp medicinal edge has softened and became much more beautiful from the beginning. This is definitely a winter frag.
Try CR+ Amber Mystique + Hypnotic Poison EDP for a whole other animal. 😉
eurotek – :
This is a sweet and jammy but also powdery and smokey rose-vanilla. It particularly smokey in the beginning, but gets rounder and more vanillic by time. I love this, especially in the dry down. It has a slight vintage edge to it due to the incensy accord. It’s addictive.
I think it’s n