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Portia
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Hi there APJ,
Diptyque is a fragrant dinosaur from 1961. One of the Mass-Tige stalwarts I think they have done well to maintain their individuality through nearly 60 years of operation. Often bypassed by perfumistas because of their safe and pretty perfumes if you dig through their enormous range there are a lot of beautifully crafted, elegant perfumes. If the first reason for fragrance is to smell good then Diptyque should be regularly accoladed.
34 Boulevard Saint Germain by Diptyque 2011
34 Boulevard Saint Germain by Olivier Pescheux
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Blackcurrant, green leaves, fir leaf, citruses, pink pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon
Heart: Rose, geranium, tuberose, iris, violet
Base: Woods, resins, balsams, eucalyptus
2011 was the time that I discovered the online world of fragrance, started reading blogs and found sample sellers. Till then I had been avidly following the magazines and department store adventures of scent and was unprepared for the incredible largesse of niche, indie and artisan. Suddenly I was trying son many incredibly mind expending creations from around the world that almost anything available within easy reach had lost its lustre. So 34 Boulevard Saint Germain was released with barely a raised eyebrow in the scentbloggosphere and thus I remained unaware of how it actually smelled until much later.
Once I got 34 Boulevard Saint Germain on my skin I liked it very much, not a deep love yet, but I did take notice how ravishing it smelled. Then I went back and read a few lacklustre reviews and started doubting my own empirical evidence and with the constant rush of something new completely forgot about it. Until I tried it again a year or so ago and it went straight back on my wish list.
Then a mate was having a sell out and for a very reasonable price I was suddenly the owner ofd a 50ml bottle (Thanks Liam you sexy man). Then I wore it a few times and liked it very much. Till now and it’s been on my desk as a sneaky spritzer for months. It doesn’t even get put away in its box anymore but sits proudly on top, just in case I need a happy reminder how much I adore it.
PDI
How does 34 Boulevard Saint Germain smell? Well, it opens up big. It’s a luscious green melange that is smooth, bittersweet and slightly feral. It only lasts a few minutes but the opening fireworks are like every note in the list is trying to get your attention and by doing so they lose their individuality and become a larger than life fragrance that is zingy, creamy, green woods, bark and broken leaves drizzled over the squeaky sweetness of blackcurrant cordial.
The floral bouquet is unopened tuberose and a clover rose, but they are only bit players really because by the time you know it’s them they are already second fiddle to the resins and balsams. Which is what I am left with for the majority of the ride, a very lightly sweet resinous wood. very calm and eat wear but not simple enough to be a yawn.
PDI
Further reading: Now Smell This and FragranceDaily
Mecca has $123/50ml FREE Australian Shipping
Surrender To Chance has samples starting from $4/ml
Do you have a favourite Diptyque?
Portia xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
I love Oyedo best, it’s an odd earthy citrus. Volutes is very nice too.
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Hey TaraC,
Volutes is lovely but I don’t think I’ve ever tried Oyedo. Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind next time I’m in a Diptyque section.
Portia xx
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Hey TaraC,
Volutes is lovely but I don’t think I’ve ever tried Oyedo. Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind next time I’m in a Diptyque section.
Portia xx
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L’Ombre Dans L’Eau which is a deep green rose in the forest on a rainy day. Earthy resinous wet woods and leaves and a touch of blackcurrant.
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Hey Lillibet,
I have an old splash bottle of this, not sure how old because it came from Michael Edwards clearcut. It smells fabulous.
Portia xxx
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I have just started exploring Diptyque…recently acquired a sample of Vetyverio and am really liking it (which is surprising as vetiver is not one of my favorite notes)…and I am curious about Volutes as tobacco is a note of interest these days.
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Hi CM,
Volutes is lovely. They used to have two strengths but one was Dcd in the last year or so. Very comfortable fragrance, I went through a decant quickly.
Portia xx
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Funny you ask, Portia, as I went out yesterday with the intent of buying 34 myself. It has been on my radar a while. I love its green qualities. Very much like the Jardin series by Hermes. One of my favourites. But I got sidetracked buying car parts. Next week…
Olene is beautiful and I may delve into Eau Duelle and a few others.
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Hey Kate,
Interesting correlation. The garden series has an oily quality that I miss here but the sense of scent IS similar. Good call.
Portia xx
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I have other usual Diptyque hits, too like L’Ombre Dans, Philosykos, Eau Duelle, Volutes, Oud Palao, Tam Dao etc. and I also think this is one of the better releases from the house.
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Hi there Fazal,
Tam Dao is interesting. One of the best descriptors I ever read was “imagine being a vampire waking up in a new coffin on a bed of fresh dirt”
Portia x
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Fazal, hi!! Whoch Eau Duelle do you recommend? Edt or edp? I haven’t put either to skin, as vanilla is scary for me. But I hear so much about it I’m curious. And braver. 😵
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Kate, mine is original rectangle bottle version. I could be wrong but I think it used to be only EDT in original version. EDP was added when they changed bottles and introduced EDP versions for other fragrances, too besides Duelle.
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Thanks, Fazal. I went to Mecca today. I am nowhere near ready for Eau Duelle. BUT I did fall head over heels for L’Ombre edp. I am getting that next, along with 34.
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I wish I could answer but I have not tried EDP. If one follows the usual rule, EDP is most likely to have deeper warm notes like vanilla and if vanilla or deep warm notes scare you, EDT may be a better choice.
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Thanks Fazal,
Nice to see you.
Portia xx
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I liked 34 Boulevard Saint Germain from when it was released. I got a travel spray as a gift with purchase, and since then enjoy it on my vSO. The second favorite, also for him, is Tam Dao. Volutes EdT is our shared perfume.
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Hey there Undina,
I like your three Diptyque selections too. I wanted Volutes for my collection but it hasn’t made its way in yet. One day I’ll grab it.
Portia x
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