Berlin im Winter and Indigo Review

Berlin im Winter is strongly redolent of Erik Kormann’s Eau de Fröhlich No.3 (2013) which introduced an innovative incense-and-cassis-over-woody-ambers theme. There, the central blackcurrant character was provided by a big dose of Givaudan’s Cassyrane, whose dusty rosemary associations created a dry, herbal contrast. A green, shiso leaf note in the top meanwhile, added to the dynamic feeling. Berlin im Winter presents a slightly juicier cassis that’s a tad more spicy/balsamic, but is quite linear and has rather less to say. Also, Berlin im Winter is somewhat marred by an unattractive dill pickle scent. It’s nothing however, compared to Indigo where the cornichon note quite overpowers the rose and musky woods. 

Nose: Spyros Drosopoulos

House: Baruit 

Release date: 2015
Notes (per Fragrantica): Berlin im Winter: Lavender, mastic, rose, iris, cassis, plum, myrrh, frankincense, Irish Coffee, NOOUD, amber, leather. Indigo: Mastic, hyacinth, rose, frankincense, sandalwood, cedar, NOOUD, amber. 

Melkmeisje Review

Named after the famously broad-shouldered, thick-armed subject of Vermeer’s homonymous painting, Baruti’s Melkmeisje consists principally of a sweet, vanillic take on a Grojsman style ‘hug me’ accord, being all powder, clean musks and light woods. A dusty, Farnesol driven linden/lilac/angelica floral ensemble adds pastel coloured accents, while a juicy pear note in the top brings a small degree of dynamism to an otherwise fairly linear perfume. 

For a more refined, grown-up lilac, try Guerlain’s Guerlinade. 

Nose: Spyros Drosopoulos

House: Baruti

Release date: 2015

Notes (per Fragrantica): Pear, lilac, linden blossom, honey, orris root, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, vetiver. 

Voyance Review

The opening of Voyance consist in roughly equal measures of nutty, rope-like vetiver and a tropical, white floral accord hinting at green bananas. The effect is more dissonant than contrasting and as the vetiver wanes, the tuberosey flowers being to distort over the sandalwood and musk base that pulls dusty sweet (toward Javanol) and hot iron starch. For me, the composition fails to fully cohere; it feels blocky and the transitions abrupt.

Nose: Spyros Drosopoulos
House: Baruti
Release date: 2015
Notes (per Fragrantica): tuberose, guiac wood, vetiver, sandalwood.