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So I have quite an exhausting regime of reviewing obligations now but would never reject Fragrantica over other platforms. I sometimes use the same review here as elsewhere and sometimes I try to find new things to say. In the instance of Bengale rouge, it's not difficult because of how seamlessly brilliant this composition is. Liz Moores has done it again, using the cozy fur of her Bengal cat as inspiration for this perfume. Imagine all the most opulent things you could stick into a perfume? The best of Oriental and Chypre offerings, nods to fantastic vintage perfumes and materials that inherently make you let out an audible, sigh of satisfaction? Yeah you just imagined Bengale Rouge. It's soft and sensual but with underlying power and here's how it develops. For me the opening smells heavily of citrus (maybe bergamot or lemon?) vanilla, benzoin and loads of labdanum, it's almost cruder and more Indy like than the smoother Guerlain's it's compared to and did have me wondering a little to begin with...is this really as refined? Fears are allayed when the heart of rose, earthy and medicinal elements of myrrh and oakmoss temper the sweetness into a smooth sandalwood dominated orris and hay like tonka/coumarin smoothness in the base. It's inspired stuff and reinvigorates the classical genres with clear nods to Jicky and Shalimar, Coty Emaraude but also Chanel Egoiste and Bois des Iles but simultaneously managing to have more Indy personality to it. I love it....It's magic!
Bengale Rouge exemplifies the seriously impressive ingenuity and talent Liz Moores holds as a self-taught perfumer. It’s inspired by the scent of her Bengal cat, whose warm, fuzzy fur is often imbued with the muffled cocktail of Liz’s many perfumes rubbing off as they cuddle. Whilst this is quite a niche and far-fetched idea, there’s something wholesome about it. This is a myrrh scent through and through, if you don’t like myrrh then don’t even bother with this. The myrrh is intensely dry, thick, dense and gummy, like a chewy, spicy wall and warmth complemented by the sharpness of rose. This is beautifully balanced by a smooth base of orris, woods and vanilla. Fragrantica lists honey, but this is not one of the official notes - but I understand where it comes from. It definitely has a sappy, honeyed effect. This is easily the best myrrh scent I’ve ever encountered, it’s so incredibly cosy and comforting. Definitely worth checking out, and easily one of the best from the house, this is a must have for me.