Count Alfred d’Orsay (1801-1852) was a French-born dandy, said to be the “most fashionable man in the most fashionable circles in the most fashionable town in the world: London” (Last of the Dandies: The Scandalous Life and Escapades of Count d’Orsay, by Nick Foulkes). He dabbled in perfumery; the Parfums d’Orsay line was launched after his death, reportedly using an original Count D’Orsay formula for a fragrance called “Eau de Bouquet”, now renamed Etiquette Bleue. I do not know the detailed history of the line, but they were issuing new fragrances into the the 20th century, and the line was “revived” in 1995.

Earlier versions of Tilleul were released in 1927 and 1955. The current reformulated version was created by Olivia Giacobetti. It features notes of lemon tree leaf, angelica, watermelon, lime blossom (aka linden or tilleul), cyclamen, cut hay, acacia wood and beeswax. Joining me once again for an opposing viewpoint is Marlen, one of the moderators on the basenotes forum…

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