Jasmin et Cigarettes is time travel in a bottle. It’s a jazzy, skanky jasmine with this dry, hay-like, fresh pack of cigarettes. A very realistic, freshly opened pack of smokes. But, that isn’t all. If you wanted that, one could purchase a heavily taxed pack of cigarettes. You do get jasmine, but that isn’t what impresses me (actually this jasmine is quite “low brow”). I love the fruity, chewy addition of osmanthus like apricot. I think this is brilliant: hay, dried apricot florals and a fresh pack of ciggarettes. The dry down is “odd” but I think it works and can’t imagine it being any other way. It’s a curry spice verging on B.O. But, not filthy or unwashed. It’s a night of sweating from dancing and having a good time. It’s turmeric and cedar. I see it as this. Others may find it dirty.
Jasmin et Cigarettes is a perfume that creates an environment. You spray this on and you time travel to the time of speakeasies that demand passwords, glossy bobs and liquor so harsh that it can only be drinkable if it is in a cocktail.
Jasmin et Cigarettes is a fragrance that also smells better from a distance. If you press your nose up to it, it’s still good but it doesn’t give that “atmosphere”. If you press your nose up to it, you will get some “body filth” from the curry-ish turmeric and cedar.
Notes listed include jasmine absolute, tobacco, hay, apricot, tonka bean, turmeric, cedar, amber, and musk. PERFUMER – Antoine Maisondieu
Give Jasmin et Cigarettes a try if you want to smell like a freshly opened pack of ciggies. Or if you do like jasmine fragrances or perfumes like The Different Company Jasmin de Nuit, Montale Full Jasmin, L’Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two and/or LUSH Lust. None of these are “exactly” like Jasmin et Cigarettes but it gives some idea.
The 1.7 oz of Jasmin et Cigarettes retails for $85 at Amazon.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – “raw” jasmine with hay and unsmoked cigarettes. This isn’t a Dietrich but instead some small town girl in the big city’s many speakeasies in the mid-1920’s. It’s way more fun than Dietrich could ever be.
Want more reviews? Try…
Perfume-Smellin’ Things (an interesting take)
[…] loved the review Victoria at EauMG posted of Etat Libre d’Orange Jasmin et Cigarette. Her description of how it evokes a 20s […]
“A scuzzy speakeasy” — lol!
I love your description of this, Victoria. My grandmother used to tell me about the speakeasies, always in very longing and nostalgic terms. Even though jasmine is not my thing, I think I’m going to have to try this. You make it sound like so much fun.
I’ve never had any women tell me about their speakeasy experiences but it was cool to see the recent Ken Burns’ Prohibition doc and hear the ladies talk about their experiences. I truly wanted to send all the nostalgic women a bottle of this!
I’m not a jasmine person either but this one makes me happy. It does create that “place” and it does smell the way I’d want a scuzzy speakeasy to smell. I’ll never know what those smell like, but I can pretend 😉
Here in San Francisco, we have several revived speakeasies with secret doors which require passwords. One takes you into a secret library and another takes you down to the bar via 15 ft. slide! SF was apparently the wettest city in the 20’s. There were speakeasies all over the place.
I’ve always wanted to try Etat Libre d’Orange. You make this one sound intriguing. I must get a sample! Great review!
Scentillating recently posted..L’Aromatica: Kulfi
One more reason I should head on down to SF! Did you see the Ken Burns’ Prohibition doc on PBS? It wasn’t that great but it did cover the “industry” and speakeasies in Seattle, Chicago, NYC and I think SF. These port towns were something else 😉
I love how this fragrance has some history to it. And your review totally makes me want to try it.
Brittany recently posted..Mascara Monday: L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara
[…] and run away. This is an animalic jasmine with smoky tobacco and the perfect amount of spice. Here’s my review. Retails for $80 at […]
[…] Etat Libre d’Orange Jasmin et Cigarette EDP – Oh, I love this fragrance. It’s jasmine and fresh, unlit cigarettes. There’s some osmanthus and cumin too. Because of the tobacco, this one works well with hay. The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $80 at C.O. Bigelow.Full Review. […]
[…] how does Jitterbug differ from Etat Libre d’Orange Jasmin et Cigarette? Well, Jitterbug has more than just jasmine. The orange blossom/neroli is rather prevalent. […]