Grisens/Oliban by Pierre Guillaume for Phaedon 2011

/ australianperfumejunkiescom

Hi there Scented Fragrance Friends,

So a bit of a mystery, I was given a manufacturers carded sample while in Bloom London and it says very clearly Grisens, but looking on the internet it is called Oliban. Does anyone know the whys and wherefores of this discrepancy? Maybe in my searching today I will find an answer.

Grisens/Oliban by Pierre Guillaume for Phaedon 2011

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Incense, woody notes, sandalwood

So short a note list and SO MUCH going on. The first spritz is a warm, burning incense that quickly morphs to a mentholated, juniper type wood, a bit like the eucalyptus style opening of the Australian Mysore sandalwood and then I get all pine/resinous sauna and lip liner pencil shavings, with the waxy/iris/rose lipstick smell too. All this in the first five minutes and slightly different amounts of each in successive wears, I think Grisens/Oliban may be heat and body chemistry tempered.

Grisens Oliban Phaedon Wesley Eller FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

Incense and a slight orange flavour as we move into the heart, loads of every expensive, elegant incense that is not churchy but clean and woodsy. I would love to burn this in my home, I think it would create a beautiful feeling of tranquility and peace. It would definitely take the demons and bad energy with it. The image of a beautifully dressed man with a great smile keeps popping into my head, I think the fragrance is either trying to tell me it would be great on suit men or it would be a wonderful way to lure one to my bedchamber, or anywhere nearby and available. After half an hour projection drops decidedly but still you are quietly fragrant, it is closer though. After some time the incense burns away nearly completely leaving me smelling like a new furniture store in a very ritzy part of town, the hand made high end stuff. Lovely, warm, woodsy and smooth Grisens/Oliban wears like a second, scented, wooden skin till dry down at about 5 hours in around 20C temps, a bit less in heat. The final breath I can smell is cool and fresh woodsy/incense again: like watching a spring sunset from a forested glen near a fresh water lake. Heavenly……

Grisens Oliban Phaedon MAMJODH FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

Where would I wear Grisens/Oliban? I think it would be a super scent that is not too big or intrusive for anything, including close office work. You won’t skunk your colleagues, date, friends but you also aren’t making an enormous statement. Very nice to be collected and hugged by a Mum or Dad smelling like this and I think it would make a very interesting gift for someone becoming interested in fragrance, or falling down the rabbit hole as they say. Good scent for events I imagine. It would be an excellent play off against a formal gown, or a party/disco frock.

Further reading: Ca Fleur Bon and Eyeliner On A Cat
Phaedon Paris has €85/100ml and send to the world

Have you tried any of the Phaedon’s? Is Pierre G one of your faves or is there sop much product that you are overwhelmed?
Portia x

24 thoughts on “Grisens/Oliban by Pierre Guillaume for Phaedon 2011”

  1. This sounds intriguing. I’m always on the lookout for a wearable incense fragrance – most of the ‘churchy’ stuff doesn’t sit well on my skin at all. The Phaedons I have tried have been mostly a bit too sweet for me. I’ve generally preferred the stuff I’ve tried from the Parfumerie Generale line, which has been a pleasant discover this year. I’d avoided it before because the PG website didn’t used to have a sample set, and I was rather overwhelmed by the choice. I was further put off after hearing that there’s ISO E Super in a lot of PGs (I don’t tend to get on well with that chemical), but I am glad that I got over that and did some sampling, because most of what I have tried has been very impressive.

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    • Hi there SarahK,
      This might be a bit churchy on your skin, I think a sample is definitely in order and I’d love to hear how it lived on your skin.
      Yes the PGs are incredibly numerous. I particularly like Coze, Felanilla and Isparta from the line but haven’t spent enough time sampling the brand for an overview.
      Portia xx

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  2. Oooo, this sounds like my kinda thang. Woke up to chaos-in-depth this morning and would love to douse myself in this and feel immediately put together and elegant. This seems to be the month of fumes unavailable in the States. Luckyscent carries the line, but this one is not in stock. Thanks for the reference to Eyeliner on a Cat. Nice blog: I like her taste. She also mentions a lilac soliflore from Phaedon (Rue des Lilas) that I’d like to try in this springtime. Lovely discoveries on a Saturday morning! J

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      • Yes! EoaC – great name – caught me too.
        How did I not know about The Perfume Shoppe? One state over & only 500 miles away. Not a big deal. I’m taking a workshop on essential oils from plants of the Southwest in Sedona & will add the Shoppe to my itinerary. Will see about ordering some Phaedon online today. Love the story on their website: redemption Greek style!
        Portia, you are a font of finds, fun and fabulous! love, J

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        • YAY! Love to be a font.
          If you want to take photos and write us a post about The Perfume Shoppe Jackie. we’d love that.
          Portia xx

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          • I would love to write a post for you! The class is the last weekend in June. If that’s good timing for you, it’s good for me!

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            • I think you have my email Jackie? (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) I need to send you the guidelines. Woo Hoo!
              Portia xx

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  3. Portia, I love “lip liner pencil shavings” – you come up with the best descriptions and I know exactly what you mean. This one sounds appealing, so many straightforward incenses are aromas I’d rather burn to scent the room.

    Do you think PG changed the name when he took over the line last year and Bloom just had a old sample from before?

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    • Hey Tara,
      Thank you. high praise indeed.
      In reference to Bigarade, I think Kath has her bottle and is away for the weekend. I will grab and spritz on the cumin hunt when she returns.
      I was talking to Jack from FFF and she says that they have a French and an International name for all their products in this line. Interesting huh?
      Portia xx

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      • A French and an international name? That is interesting. Prone to some confusion though, I’m sure.

        Have fun on the cumin hunt when Kath returns! x

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      • I wish more perfumes had “an international name”! Love the idea! (since I cannot pronounce at least half of the French perfumes names ; -) )

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  4. The Perfume Shoppe has a nice offer for 3 decants. I’m getting Grisens, Cendres de The and Rue des Lilac (retired), so I can check out the line a bit. Off to have a Santa Fe omelette; I’m well doused with Suzanne’s ‘God Give Me Strength’ blend and a dash of Neroli, all washed with a splash of Liberte!
    Cheers, J

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  5. Thank you Portia for the great review. I love the imagery of a beautifully dressed man with a great smile… Mmmmm, gotta try. 😀 I’ve been wondering about some outdoor/hiking/trekking scents lately. Something not in your face and kinda natural. Could this be a possible candidate?

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    • Hiya ThinkingMagpie,
      Wow! What a question. I have absolutely no idea. Ha Ha Ha! Maybe?
      You are going to have to try it for size I reckon.
      Portia xx

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  7. I’ve tried some Phaedons and was rather happy with how they smelled, even though Noir Marine has the (in my mind feared and hated) marine note, I really liked it.

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    • Ha Ha Ha! That is naughty when they make stuff you hate desirable. Lately I’ve been having some fruity frags surprise me with their excellence. who knew?
      Portia xx

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  8. Portia,
    The decants arrived! (in a hot pink plastized mailing envelope that was barely opened by kitchen shears. The Perfume Shoppe is very serious about Fume.)
    Starting with Rue Des Lilas, I’m practicing yr fume testing technique & loving the scent & liking the the technique. Win-win!
    Thanks for the intro to… the house, the shoppe & the tech. @;^)

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  9. Portia,
    In celebration of your trip to the Osmothque, I’m wearing a spritz of Grisens. What a beautiful, elegant, smoky incense. On me, it’s a skin scent. I can only smell it, if I hold my arm almost touching my nose. Can imagine I would this very alluring on a certain somebody. Vive la haute parfumerie francaise!

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