Olympic Orchids Gujarat is a perfume inspired by India. It’s loaded with spices, tropical florals and woods.
Gujarat opens with a huge blast of lime leaf and anesthetizing spices. And it’s loud. What stands out the most to me is a smoky oud incense with curry leaves and lime leaves. The fragrance has energy and is referenced as “a full-scale Bollywood extravaganza”. It rapidly whirls in a different direction than what I expected. It smells exactly like lime chutney – limes, a mustard seed-like oud, ginger, ground coriander, a ton of cumin and green chilis. And smoke which instead of reminding me of incense, reminds me of an open fire used for cooking. Gujarat is an hommage to Indian cuisine. I would have considered Gujarat as very gourmand, not sweet but savory…
But, wait…it changes. Again. It starts spinning in a different direction. It’s a pretty, fruity jasmine-rose over saffron-leather. Lots of raunchy, badass leather with some sweat. It’s the most innocent smelling leather bar ever. And with the dry-down it becomes cedar and sandalwood – a dry, woodsy fragrance.
Notes listed include tons of spices, exotic flowers, smoky resins, woods, chili and lime. Launch date 2011. PERFUMER – Ellen Covey
II can’t really compare Gujarat to anything else that I’ve tried. I’ve tried things like it at its various stages but not anything else like the “whole” of Gujarat. Try it if you like complex fragrances, oud perfumes or spicy/smoky scents. Because of the many mood swings of this fragrance, I can see it being something one could love or hate. To love it, you’ve got to love everything that Gujarat dishes out. You’ve got to accept its mood swings.
One of my favorite India inspired perfumes is Neela Vermeire Creations Bombay Bling which I feel really does capture the essence of Bollywood. Bombay Bling is a heart-warming musical while Gujarat is a dramatic soap opera on Zee TV. I’m not saying that Gujarat isn’t “Bollywood”. I’m saying that it is much more serious than the merry Bombay Bling.
Projection and longevity are above average.
The 1 oz bottle retails for $40 at Olympic Orchids. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Indian buffet turns into a leather bar and then turns into a cedar forest. Like I said, it’s a moody perfume that is constantly changing on the skin. It’s not for me, but it’s for somebody.
Want more reviews? Try…
From Top to Bottom – Perfume Patter
Fragrantica – Member reviews
I bought a bunch of samples from Olympic Orchids after your review of Cafe V. I was on a big time India kick so I got Gujarat without reading the note list. Whenever cumin touches my skin, it’s like a B.O. explosion. But, despite that, it is a very well made perfume. I can see that even though it doesn’t work for me, it would be wonderful on someone else! The cumin note has stopped me from trying Bombay Bling but I did try Trayee and I like it a lot. My wallet, not so much!
Cumin is a tough note, probably the toughest IMO. When it works, it works but for most of us it’s frankly stinky. This one isn’t for me but I can see someone liking it (and smelling awesome on them!).
Well, I love Bombay Bling and the cumin is super light in it (but your skin may amp it). But, oh my, my wallet hates the line. I would love to have full bottles of all of them!
i have yet to try any of ellen’s art, and while i am not really a gourmand guy… this sounds fascinating! this sounds like SUCH an unfolding.
There is so much happening with this scent. Not all at once, but it keeps unveiling new layers. It’s a perfume on a journey.
I think since it has so many of these layers that it is going to wear differently on different people – maybe more spice, more leather, more florals…who knows. It’s a surprise.
Victoria, thank you for the excellent review! One of my customers commented that of all the Indian-themed perfumes, Gujarat was the only that actually smelled like India, and like an Indian bus ride at that! You’re absolutely right that the smoke is meant to evoke the dried cow-dung open fires used for village cooking. Now that I think about it, the Bollywood analogy wasn’t very accurate. It’s not the fantasy of India, it’s the reality. I may have to change my promo copy. Kudos on a very perceptive review!
I’ve never been to India but I “get” your customer’s reference! It’s like catching whiffs of various “real” aromas from different directions and at various speeds.
It’s a great interpretation/homage to India!
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