From award-winning cognac distiller P. Frapin & Cie comes 1697. One of the oldest families in France, the Frapin family, located at Fontpinot Castle in the Grand Champagne region of France, has been in the distillery business since 1207.  In 2008 they launched their perfume line.

The jump from cognac to perfume might seem odd at first, but it makes perfect sense when you think about it. After all, wine and perfume transform plants into complex sensory experiences, and cognac and perfume fall into the ‘luxe’ category.

1697 opens with booze - a shot of mouthwatering whiskey followed by rum that’s warmed by pepper, with labdanum adding notes of leather and resin so that it becomes deep, dark and delicious. Sounds a bit masculine right about now, but this frag was designed to be unisex. As it moves to the middle, jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose appear and add a feminine dimension. These are warmed by spicy, exotic clove and cinnamon. Dried fruits add a little sweetness. At the base, Tonka bean appears, bolstered by vanilla give it a creamy, exotic sweetness. Patchouli adds mustiness blending in beautifully with cedarwood while musk tames any boldness and smooths the whole blend out.

1697 a boozy, rich and intoxicating fragrance from start to finish that smells great on a man or a woman.

Currently, 1697 is an exclusive with only 1697 special-edition numbered bottles produced. Mine is 0012.

Notes: cabreuva, davana,rum, cistus, pink peppercorn, jasmine, sambac, hawthorn, y, clove, cinnamon, dried fruits, rose, ambergris, tonka bean, patchouli, cedarwood, cistus, musk, vanilla.