Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 – best patchouli perfume ever. This should be my review and it very much could be, but you know me. I can’t shut up. So here’s my review of the best patchouli perfume.
Borneo opens up as a camphoric patchouli, slightly medicinal. It’s less “dirty” or “earthy” than patchouli essential oil. The patchouli is big and bold. It reminds me of dried patchouli leaves…read that as “medicinal”. Some sweetness comes in. It’s beautiful and dark, but not too sweet. Dismiss your “Angel” ideas here. It’s an earthy cocoa powder. It’s more dirt and dark than sweet. Resins and smoky incense are in the base. They add a sultry element to this cocoa-patchouli. It’s simple. It’s perfect. And when I wear this my nose is stuck to my wrist. And my nose is stuck for a long time, this fragrance is long-wearing.
I find Borneo 1834 easily unisex. But, I like I said, I’m a die-hard patch-head. I would say that Borneo is more masculine than feminine, but a must have for those that like patchouli. When I wear it, I feel like a Gibson Girl.
Notes listed include floral notes, galbanum, Indonesian patchouli, cocoa accord, and cistus labdanum. PERFUMER: Christopher Sheldrake
Give Borneo 1834 a try if you are a patch-head like myself or if you like perfumes like Thierry Mugler Angel, Prada EDP, Montale Patchouli Leaves, and/or Nobile 1942 Patchouli Nobile. You must love patchouli. That is my warning.
The 1.7 oz EDP retails for $140 and is available at Aedes. And sometimes you can find it at discount sites like Fragrancenet.
*And if you watched the video review, you can slap me if I say OK, OK. Was operating on very little sleep and obviously at a lack of words for how beautiful this fragrance is…haha.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – I think I made myself clear. So far, my favorite patchouli fragrance. My next full bottle purchase. Borneo 1834 is a medicinal patchouli with dark, earthy cocoa powder and sultry incense.
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Some of us prefer Coromandel but only by the slimmest of margins. 😉
I really should include a disclaimer of “It’s the best depending on which day. Then the other best is Coromandel.” Can I go back and declare a tie?
Glad that you said, ‘the best patchouli perfume ever.’ Borneo is superb in its beauty, depth and weirdness. One of my true perfume loves.
It’s absurd that I don’t have a full size bottle!!! I’m working on that 🙂
One of my favorites as well! It’s yumm. And I love these video reviews; you are so composed.
anotherperfumeblog recently posted..I’m back, and I’m married!
I want a bottle so badly! I could wear this all winter 😉
Thank you, I couldn’t get over how many times I said “OK” in this one. Felt like I was in high school communications class again!
Awesome review. I love patchouli and Borneo is my favorite patchouli perfume too.
Patch lovers unite!
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