E. Coudray Nohiba is one of the most interesting fragrances I own. I bought it a year or so ago, unsniffed, on the strength of recommendations at POL, judging from the sounds of it, knowing I love spices and Oriental fragrances, though I wear Opium only infrequently (I preferred Yves Rocher’s Ispahan, which is now discontinued.) Galbanum features in several fragrances I love also, though I don’t think I would know galbanum if I smelled it alone.
The Magic Oriental Created in 1922… Spices, Galbanum, Incense, Laudanum, Geranium, Rose Musk, Amber, Vetyver, Patchouli, Sandalwood
Elsewhere I found this description of it:
This one was formerly known as Tulip Noir. It has notes of jasmin, indian marigolds, clove, ginger, amber and vanilla.
Whatever the mix of notes, it is delightful. I can find it now in bath products but not the edt. Hopefully, more will surface.
In the meantime, something about this reminds me of L’Origan (1905.) Maybe it is the basic time frame of the fragrances, more sophisticated and formal vs. casual and fruity. But I’ve never worn L’Origan and love Nohiba.
top notes: mandarin, coriander, pepper and peach on a bergamot theme
mid notes: spicy floral clove and carnation with orchid, ylang-ylang, rose jasmine and orris
base notes: woody including sandalwood, cedarwood and labdanum
I must be in an autumn mood, even though the temps are still high here, in the 90’s. I woke thinking to wear Nohiba today, though I haven’t worn it in months. I think I like the marigolds in it.
Nohiba evokes autumn for me, the autumn of my childhood with colored leaves and a bit of smoke hanging in the air, before burning the leaves was forbidden — the crisp air blending scents of damp earth, wet trees and damp leaves, as well as dry leaves hidden in the piles.
I sure raked a lot of leaves in my times! The wind would come along and scatter them as soon as they were in piles, or we would jump in them with great energy.
I have a friend in Michigan who has sent me autumn leaves over the years. (The trick is to layer wax paper between them before mailing.) I put them in a large brandy sniffer bowl which I put away after the season. Each year I replace the old ones with new ones, but even a year later, they smell (and look) the same if I lean toward the bowl for a whiff. I am transported to a different time and place.
Nohiba is a way to carry those scents (and a different time) with me. Additionally it evokes for me the alleys and souks of the Casbah. I’ve never visited, but hope to one day.
It’s not possible to be bored wearing this scent. It has movement and verve.
Do you wear it?
Karin
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Perfume review, Perfumes, Travel
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