The Frapin line of fragrances has (somehow) escaped my attention; blame it on a flooded market, a lack of time and energy to find samples, or being in a perfume-induced stupor: “No more perfumes! Enough!” So: a year after its introduction, I’m finally sniffing 1697 (named after the year the Frapin family was ennobled by Louis XIV).
1697 was created by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour and includes notes of cabreuva, dark rum, acacia, davana, pink pepper, jasmine, hawthorn, ylang ylang, cloves, cinnamon, sweet dried fruits accord, rose, ambergris, myrrh, tonka bean, patchouli, cedar, cistus labdanum, white musk and vanilla.
When first applied, 1697 smells of wine/brandy, then “rum cask;” as this brash, fumy liquor accord subsides…
