Thousands of “1000”’s and 1000’s

Due to extensive research I have determined that this fragrance has changed or does change over time. I feel the formula changed significantly from the 70’s - 80’s and especially from the 1000 bottles to the next formulation, which was called “1000.”

Review of 1000; 1970’s extrait:

Top: delicious honeyed Osmanthus and bitter violets. Bright aldehydes with a darkness behind them.

Heart: the discussion between the oak, Vetiver, and VERY dry patchouli and the Osmanthus, rose, jasmine, etc. is quite lively. The contrast is stark, severe, and unforgiving.

Base: oaky oak oak. Plus whatever else to round it out. Overall this frgarance smells like it may be 90% absolutes, essentials, or extracts. Very little synthetics needed to make this.

Review of “1000”; 1987 Parfum:

Top: aldehydes of beauty, delicacy, and grace. A breeze tinged with light fine powdered pollen. As you inhale you feel the pollen stick to your epiglottis, forgetting you have that anatomy. The peachy-violet-jasmine that is Osmanthus and the delicious rose used in this version amp up the quality of the florals 10000000000000% more than in the older version. However—

There is no obvious foil. In every successful fragrance there is either an insatiably great accord or a dissonance and resolution of two notes/accords if not more. This has a bit of dissonance. It however is much more well developed and keenly formulated as a woody floral rather than a floral woody fragrance— the oak dominates the old formula. In “1000” the oak creeps up silently, only to serve as a foil to hours of sweet florals. It never overtakes the formulation.

I doubt a decade, especially 70’s-80’s would forcibly change anything. I believe that “1000” was perfected as a floral, much like Joy, which lacks a significant base, as the florals persist for so so so long. The oak is like No. 5’s sandalwood.

The oily liquid that is the extrait and Parfum pools on your skin as you beg it to absorb. The wafts of clean florals and rich rose bring your head down to take a full inhale of “1000.”

Sparkle, Osmanthus, and aldehydes

Osmanthus and multifaceted rose (lifted from Joy)

You are smelling “1000” next to a plank of recently cut oak.

It just smells like itself, which is the greatest accomplishment a perfumer could achieve. The oak blends seamlessly into the formula instead of dominating the base. It compliments the formula— woody instead of an animalic counterpoint. The lack of animalics in “1000” make it stand apart against No. 5, Joy, Aprège, etc……….

Bizarre but wise choice because frankly the older version is not super wearable. However, it will remain in my boudoir for my refined olfactory bulb to enjoy.