Dryad feels and smells like an emerald jewel. And considering current restrictions, Liz has done an amazing job here, conveying a true chypre. Dryad feels decidedly vintage. Think countryside, enchanted forests, Irish folclore. It feels like something a posh Aliage would wear, or something a bohemian Vol de Nuit would use on the weekends. But I also smell similarities to Miss Dior. The opening is like a breath of fresh air. Fully loaded on herbs and galbanum, it somehow feels alpine in its coolness. Here, I kinda envision Dario Argento’s ‘Phenomena’, and it’s opening scene on the Swiss alps. This invigorating green beauty continues, as the floral heart joins the party. What I mostly smell here is a carnal narcissus and a slightly medicinal yet sweet lavender, which however doesn’t take over. The rest of the floral notes are so well blended that they simply enhance a ‘french core’; it smells just like a vintage floral smelt, when notes were so well blended that you simply smelt a whole. There’s a slight smell of unwashed hair, courtesy of costus, that makes me think of fingers caressing your lovers hair the morning after. It’s nothing short of wonderfully erotic. The base notes show an outstanding degree of old time oakmoss galore, and it amazes me how potent it smells given the low amount permitted. Along the way there are aldehydes, fruity sparkle without smelling fruity, a wonderful powdery iris and a leather feel, just like in Miss Dior. I’d call it a sparkling chypre, a powdery floral green. It smells decidedly like an old Guerlain, without feeling like one; it has the quality of one, made with true vision. And no one makes perfumes with ‘vintage Guerlain’ quality anymore, so this is a compliment to Liz’s skills. It also feels happy, vivacious. It’s not as serious as most chypres are, there’s a youthful quality here in the sense of exuberance. I love how it maintains throughout its development a dirty shadow, with civet and castoreum playing along (they’re there, guaranteed) a wonderful powdery iris. And I love that it focuses on all shades of green without losing focus. Flowers come second. If you have a collection of vintage chypres and greens you probably don’t need this. But then again, smelling a freshly bottled one, a real one, hasn’t happened since the late 80’s. So, for me, it’s a necessity since you can never have enough chypres. Excellent sillage and longevity and FBW!
Dryad is a wonderfully complex and stimulating fragrance, clearly modelled after the golden days of green florals and chypres. It’s incredibly old school and vintage-smelling, as is often the Liz Moores’ style of perfumery - executed to perfection. An array of bitter-green aromatics and herbaceous notes including a hefty dose of galbanum alongside sage, tarragon and thyme kick things off. Sharp citrus and touches of soapy white florals help to round this off, making way for a creamy base of orris and oakmoss. The combination of narcissus and orange blossom is divine, lending to a subtle innocence amongst the strength of the composition. Primarily, this is a green fragrance. The aromatic qualities are powerful and impossible to ignore, which isn’t a bad thing, as it soon smooths out rather well. I would have liked the oakmoss and orris to stand out a little more personally, but overall this is a stunning fragrance and a must try for any lover of classical perfumes.