Parfums de Marly - Herod

Herod is the 7^th fragrance from Parfums de Marly.  It is a complex woody spicy offering.

The fragrance opens with a breathtaking spicy tobacco leaf.  The opening spice reads more of an exotic light cinnamon on me and the tobacco leaf is beautiful and crisp.  There is a sophisticated warmth to the initial presentation. 

As Herod wears, a peppery note comes forward.  The note adds more spice to the fragrance but does not become overwhelming.  A soft woodiness also becomes present.  At this point in wear, about two hours, the wood is indistinguishable as a specific note.  Trails of smoky vanilla are also making themselves known.  It is the addition of incense that lends the smokiness to the vanilla both making the vanilla not take on a gourmand feel and also adding depth and mystery to the overall scent.

At roughly four hours into wear, I get more of a defined cedar note.  The smoky vanilla has a touch of sweetness which has been underscored with a subtle floral.  The fragrance retains its spicy quality through the drydown where musk takes on a soft, almost powdery quality.  The powder does not take on a boudoir vanity quality but instead feels much like soft cotton.  Through its finish, Herod reigns with an easy to wear, softly spicy tobacco wood elegance.

Herod wears on me with light projection for roughly 8 – 9 hours.

Notes: cinnamon, pepper wood, osmanthus, tobacco leaf, labdanum, incense, vanilla, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, iso e super, cypriol, musk

Perfumer: Olivier Pescheux

Fragrance name origin: “Herod is a victorious stallion of the 18th century. He was a fine, horse standing 15.3 hands high with a small star and no white on his legs. He was a powerful horse that was especially good at four-mile distances.” (Osswald, NYC)