Pascal Rolland Founder and Perfumer of Parfums d'Interdits Absolument Parfumeur

In 2005, Pascal Rolland, who had made a name creating a new Absinthe liquor called Versinthe in 1999, ending an 85-year ban on absinthe, used his prowess with the creation of the aromatic liquor to create an absinthe perfume. Absolument Absinthe was created to enhance the ritual of drinking absinthe. Soon after, Absolument Absinthe Homme, followed by Absolue Absinthe Femme, fulfilled the absinthe-inspired Parfums d’Interdits collection of Absolument Parfumeur.

 "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer"

There is a mythology in perfumery, going back to ancient Egyptian times, that says that a perfume has 12 notes, and it is the elusive 13^th note that gives the perfume its special magic, or power, or ultimate beauty. Even in the movie “Perfume, the Story of a Murderer” ,the protagonist Grenouille is taught about the 13^th note by his mentor Baldini.

It is this 13^th note, that can also be found in jazz, that has inspired the latest duo of perfumes by Absolument Parfumeur, La 13ème Note Femme and La 13ème Note Homme.

 Movie Still from "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer"

Opening with a jazzy collection of fruit notes, La 13ème Note Femme is an intriguing fragrance. The first time I smelled it I thought it was a rather beachy scent, but it turned out I was completely wrong, and after a couple of wears, I realized it is a happy fruity floral blend that is made cozy by a warm embrace of amber. It is also honeyed, and a bit sweet. It is a perfume that is transparent enough that it would make a lovely summer evening scent, soft, delicate, and romantic. Sometimes it takes a couple of wearings to understand a fragrance, and ultimately I enjoy this perfume for its boisterous, fruity top, and especially for the sweetly creamy gourmand base that lingers a nice amount of time. I think it would be wonderful to wear to a dessert-and-coffee party, or a high tea.

Notes: Pineapple, raspberry, green strawberry, sage, rose, violet, mimosa, vanilla, jasmine, musk, white peach, honey and amber

Still from the Movie: Perfume -The Story of a Murderer

La 13ème Homme is a classic masculine fragrance; modern, but fortunately lacking the nose-spiking harshness of so many contemporary masculine scents. An alluring blend of spices and woods, including a dash of absinthe’s wormwood and anise, create an aura of elegance. Like its feminine counterpart, the fragrance has plenty of body, but is still translucent enough for any season. A man wearing this to a party would be able to stand out as someone special without imposing themselves olfactorily on fellow guests.

Notes: Mandarin, anise and basil from Provence, chamomile, black pepper, chili pepper, white clove, sage and wormwood, Atlas and American cedar, patchouli, leather and white musc

I experimented by smelling my wrists, one in Femme, the other in Homme, pressed together. I could get an idea of how a couple would smell wearing these on a night out, which is quite nice. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of doing that with a pair of fragrances. Maybe the masculine and feminine versions have seemed too divergent, but I somehow knew these would work.

My samples were provided by Absolument Parfumeur USA Distributor Crafting Beauty.  The fragrance line is available in the USA at Henri Bendel in New York and online at Crafting Boutique

Tama Blough, Managing Editor

 Chef René Bergès

Editor's Note: I had the pleasure of meeting Pascal Rolland at the Elements Showcase in January 2014.  La Treizième Note Femme and La Treizième Note Homme were both inspired by the culinary art of Chef René Bergès. If you visit Parfums d’Interdits Absolument Parfumeur website, the recipes are posted;  La Treizième Note Femme was based on a scrumptious dessert and  La Treizième Note Homme had a more savory inspiration -"Roasted French lamb rubbed with spices accompanied by a fricasee of vegetables with camomille infusion".  We awarded  La 13ème Note Femme "Best of Show" in our Elements round-up for Sexiest Scent" –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Thanks to the generosity of Absolument Parfumeur, we have a US reader’s choice of a full bottle of either La 13ème Note Femme or La 13ème Note Homme. In the comments, let us know which one appeals to you, and why. Draw ends June 29, 2014.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.