Okay so it's ridiculously priced but lets just get past that gimmick and judge it on it's merits. It has real merits! Boy does this thing smell good and unique the note progression changes by the second right under your nose, a true sign of quality and complexity. No.1 is so complex in fact it's hard to pick out the notes Ylang ylang is distinctive in the top notes and sandalwood is obvious but the rest is a curious floral, amber and strong musk mixture. The drydown is nice and soft but deep and long lasting as you'd expect. I for one like No.1 because it's very interesting but I'm not crazy about it either. The unfortunate thing about the price it is another factor that it rules me out of ever buying it. It's above the threshold of what I deem to be exceptable for 50mls of fragrance but it's all relative if you love it and can afford it.
No.1 by Clive Christian was the most expensive perfume in the world upon its initial release in 2001, and while it’s no longer the most expensive out there, it’s still hideously overpriced despite being a lovely scent. Initially it opens quite aromatic with a green artemisia combined with warm spices of nutmeg, cardamom and pimento. This is paired with a strikingly contrasting lime and mandarin which are juicy and tangy. A soft floral heart joins this odd medley of notes - namely orris, ylang and lily-of-the-valley. As the citrus begins to dissipate, the warm spices linger and begin to blend very well with the powdery florals - before a soft, creamy base of sandalwood and sweet tonka bean begins to emerge. This is a beautifully masculine and gentlemanly fragrance which does indeed exude wealth and power, however it’s a fairly strange blend of notes which won’t be for everyone and I really can’t see why this is priced so highly apart from being a publicity stunt.