Chambre Noire, from Olfactive Studio was released in 2011. The perfumer behind this creation is Dorothée Piot. It has the top notes of Pink Pepper, middle notes of Incense, Jasmine, Papyrus, Plum, and Violet, and base notes of Leather, Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood, and Vanilla.
Well I've tried a few from Olfactive studios now and on the whole I'm impressed. This was one that's been lurking among the samples in my cupboard for a while and despite tying it at the time it didn't stick in my mind. Upon wearing it properly today I have to say that I've been treated to a wonderful, heady scent full of incense and a definite prune smell. The mixture of this dimension with a hint of vanilla gives a slight feel of honey to me something which I don't usually care for but it's so subtle and this is such a interesting creation that I enjoy it. Chambre Noire opens with the same weird watery papyrus and sandalwood that I didn't really like from Le Labo's Santal 33 but somehow works here probably due to the other notes and the fact it's dissipates quickly. The patchouli takes a while to come on but when it does, is the right side of balanced. That mixed with delicate leathery notes that exist from the very start, drydown to a gorgeous skin scent. This perfume is not heavy that's what I love about it, some leathers just try too hard! This one is very light from the start but projects well in the first couple of hours when the patchouli really beams out but after that it's mellow. Great scent this one I've thoroughly enjoyed wearing it today.
This is a small addition to my original review, a caveat perhaps because I still really love this great smelling fragrance. I hadn't tried Bentley Intense before Chambre Noire and upon sampling again recently thought'oh yeah I can see where people are coming from.' The opening on a card in store was effectively the same and immediately conjured up the luxury car scent. However, I've warn this today as I did a few years back when I wrote the review and got the same amazing, boozy , prune oriental I got then. It's totally distinguishable from Bentley Intense which has a much more spices and the dry sandalwood (think L'air du dessert Marocain to my nose) where as this is rich in a more gourmand way. Without disappearing too far up my arse or into the abstract... I would say the texture of Bentley is matt and this is more satin...if that makes any sense at all? I applaud the fact they are different and both great in their own wonderful ways, this makes for another fragrance worth having... for sure. I'm wearing it today and couldn't be happier.