A Wren Says

Just looking at the bottle of Cassili from Parfums de Marly, I expected something fruity, definitely smelling strongly of peach. I can tell you now there is no peach, and I’m disappointed. But I duped  myself, so that’s what I get for judging based on appearances alone.

When I sprayed the fragrance, I could tell there is fruit somewhere, but it feels pushed to the background. Instead, it seemed to be more about the flowers. After letting it dry down, and I suppose break down, I like it more. It feels more cohesive and more well balanced. On a day I wore this out, I sprayed it on in the morning and didn’t notice it at all throughout the day. No one commented on it either. Then another time I sprayed it in the evening right before bed. When I woke up in the morning, I couldn’t smell it at all on my wrist. However, the paper I sprayed that night was still fragrant and smelled very similar to how it did on the initial spray.

When they describe the fragrance, Parfums de Marly uses the words “anti-conformist” to describe this fragrance’s plum accord. Not having smelled plum as a note on its own, I wonder what it is about the ingredient that makes them describe it that way. But from a packaging standpoint, I wonder why they didn’t highlight that aspect of the fragrance in the bottle color and design. Personally, I might have been better primed to experience it or maybe not.

I would say this is a fragrance that you definitely need to try for yourself. This scent behaves very different on me versus the paper. I think it’s possible on your or someone else the fruity notes might come forward more. As for now, this isn’t my favorite, but if you are interested in trying a learning more about fragrances with plum notes, you should add this one to your list to explore.

• Cassili eau de parfum
  • Price $375 for 75 mL
• Notes:
  • Top: Red currant, Bulgarian rose, transparent white flowers
  • Mid: Plum accord, mimosa absolute, plumeria, petalia
  • Base: Sandalwood, tonka beans, vanilla pod