Sometimes I’ve wished for the woody equivalent of a light, clean, citrus Eau de Cologne — Cartier has just answered my wish with Eau de Cartier Essence de Bois, a watery concoction “accented by oud wood.”

Eau de Cartier Essence de Bois includes notes of yuzu, bergamot, violet leaf, violet flower, lavender, musk, patchouli, ambergris and oud wood. That combination of notes sounds a LOT richer than anything you’ll experience. The Cartier image shown at the top of this review is apt; the character of Eau de Cartier Essence de Bois is of aged wood floating in water (this is a simple cologne, nothing that will tire your nostrils or test your perfume I.Q.)

When first applied, Eau de Cartier Essence de Bois gives a nano-second of sharp citrus that immediately leads to a close-to-the-skin aroma of pencil shavings…

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