A couple of reviews from Basenotes.net of this L'Artisan perfume for sale on Q. Before we dive in, I'd like to say that just saying the words "Traversee Du Bosphore" and "Bertrand Duchaufour" in my best rolling tongued French accent gives me IMMENSE pleasure. And here are the reviews....
"At midpoint between turkish delight and old-fashioned paper glue. The image is of a first-floor office somewhere in a bustling Istanbul street in 1924, a clerk is busy pasting stamps on a pile of letters, while the smells from the Lokoum store downstairs waft upwards. It's an interesting smell, but impossible as a perfume for actual wear."
And
"This is more Brazilian Carnaval than Turkish Bazaar. No dates or heavy spices in this feast, it's more of a picnic of juicy fruit, fresh figs, pistachio, and a glass of champagne in a field of honeysuckle. Nothing salty or animalic - even the musk is just there for balance and warmth. I find it to be rich without being overly sweet. More than anything, Traversee du Bosphore is CLEAN without feeling aquatic - even in the later stages where a supple leather surfaces. The lokoum is unmistakable, but there is something more pungent. Perhaps it is less about the apple on the top, and more about the freshly fermented cider in the midsection that gives this a particular sparkle."
So basically it's either really nice or completely unwearable. The reviews on Q would support the latter, it's a one star turkey. I think it sounds amazing :0)
"At midpoint between turkish delight and old-fashioned paper glue. The image is of a first-floor office somewhere in a bustling Istanbul street in 1924, a clerk is busy pasting stamps on a pile of letters, while the smells from the Lokoum store downstairs waft upwards. It's an interesting smell, but impossible as a perfume for actual wear."
And
"This is more Brazilian Carnaval than Turkish Bazaar. No dates or heavy spices in this feast, it's more of a picnic of juicy fruit, fresh figs, pistachio, and a glass of champagne in a field of honeysuckle. Nothing salty or animalic - even the musk is just there for balance and warmth. I find it to be rich without being overly sweet. More than anything, Traversee du Bosphore is CLEAN without feeling aquatic - even in the later stages where a supple leather surfaces. The lokoum is unmistakable, but there is something more pungent. Perhaps it is less about the apple on the top, and more about the freshly fermented cider in the midsection that gives this a particular sparkle."
So basically it's either really nice or completely unwearable. The reviews on Q would support the latter, it's a one star turkey. I think it sounds amazing :0)