Borneo 1834 (for women and men)

andyray

Gosh!! 2008 has been a wonderful year for the nose of Christopher Sheldrake and the House of Serge Lutens.

And, Wow! The reveiew by 'Pimentosugars' is simply the best!At least 5-stars!!

Both her review and Borneo 1834, respectively, exemplify how perfume can transport one on a journey of wonder, intrigue and discovery as, physiologically, the scent binds to receptors and, via the Olfactory (cranial) nerve, synapses directly to the cortex of the brain, bypassing any neural modulation of the Thalamas. In short, memory and imagination are ignited in a neurological starburst of activity, and it is then that inspiration can unfold. However, neurophysiology aside, to the fragrance itself.

Borneo 1834 exudes sheer quality: it is masculine, complex, dark and oriental, and wonderfully long-lasting.

Upon opening there is a wave of cognac and dark chocolate and, I agree, a comforting strong nuance of 'rum and raisin'. As the intial chords settle down, one enters the warmth and depth of the ancient forest: gentle wave upon wave of spice and exotic wood that, hypnotically, draw one in deeper to the heart of scent: a seductive trail that, close to the tree roots, is punctuated with hints of animal musks, truffles, and 'warm' mosses.

As we journey further, we encounter the full body of the patchouli forest: the air redolent with this enigmatic ingredient, offering mulitple facets of sweetness, softness and cleanliness, juxtaposed with solidity, woodiness and history.

This is a tantalising fragrance that implies 'temptation'. It's almost like those exquisite dark Belgian chocolates that one cannot resist having 'just one more'. It's almost as if one could reach out and grab large handfuls of this delicious perfume. Indeed, far from being a fragrance that generates the characteristic workplace: 'Ooh, you smell nice today', this is a true perfume and, I suggest, one that you will either adore or instead wonder what all the descriptive fuss is about.

I've yet to see the pterodactyl circling above Harrods (sadly), though have entered the 'heart of warmness' via this olfactory treasure! Andyray.

pimentosugars

Wow. My introduction to Serge Lutens and I find myself in Borneo. Straight out of the bottle the top notes welcome with the most delicious melange of warm spices and a chord of rum and raisin running through, this is an astonishing perfume; 1834? Well yes, I can feel it. We are 19th Century explorers; I'm the girl dressed as a boy, pith helmet at the ready; we traded spices from Zanzibar via Madagascar to Mandalay, and now we have come to a land of heavy scented woods, of jungles and mysteries and strange flowers, of beasts and beings unknown, a land time forgot. I half expected to see a pterodactyl circling above Harrods.

Borneo 1834 has impressive longevity, I put it on at 5 in the afternoon and could still smell it on me at 2 in the morning, albeit witout the delectable top notes. What remains is a fascinating and rather dry condensation of spices. My criticism? I think it is too masculine for my skin. It lacks a certain kind of sexiness, and I like my perfumes to beguile. But a very interesting perfume indeed.