A quick whiff

This one opened strong, with a flash of cinnamon underlying the bergamot and tangerine, that gave it a combined star anise feel for just a second. The drydown let the florals out a bit more, with the tiniest nip of ginger in the background. The musk took over for the finale, allowing the woods to wrap things up.

The downside? Each of these three phases only lasted a total of about two hours. The initial spray scent faded quicker than I expected, and I needed a few refreshes through the day. Not good sillage, either, if you like having a scent trail. A very intimate scent.

Named 1826 for the birth year of French Empress Eugénie, the wife of the final Emperor Napoleon III, this scent doesn’t stick around near as long as its namesake, who lived into her 90’s.