Diptyque - L'Ombre dans l'Eau

Perfume: L'Ombre dans l'Eau
House: Diptyque
Nose: Serge Kalouguine
Notes: Blackcurrant Leaves, Bulgarian Rose

Wet earth and roses beneath piles of dark green crushed leaves and cut stems.

When I first smelled L'Ombre dans l'Eau, from the cap at a boutique, my first thought was "dirt and roses." In fact, the SA even suggested "wet wellies and roses." It smelled like a walk in a wet garden, the dark soil covered in scattered rose petals. It was different than anything I had smelled so far, so I begged a sample.

When I wore it the next day, I smelled even more. Now it started with intense green notes, like crushed leaves and cuts stems. The green is so intense at the beginning, I even smelled tomato stems, the peculiar spicy green smell that is tied in my memory to summer. The tomato stem is only there for a couple of minutes; it quickly becomes green leaves with a hint of tartness. I wasn't sure what this tartness was until I read the notes: blackcurrant! Just a hint of blackcurrent to brighten the edge of the roses.

And, oh, what roses. Beautiful, high quality rose comes out from the green and shines. All afternoon I caught sniffs of rose and green leaves wafting up from my wrist. But the end of the day I was in love with L'Ombre dans l'Eau and I think I will be buying a full bottle soon.

The Diptyque website has a beautiful brief "history" of the perfume:

In her garden, Mrs. Merwin, a friend of diptyque, was pruning her blackcurrant bushes and rose trees. The mixture of crumpled blackcurrant leaves and rose petals was the inspiration for a perfume that is now one of the brand's best sellers. In L'Ombre dans l'Eau, the head note is the Bulgarian rose. To this lowery note are added the green notes of the blackcurrant leaves which provide its cool character.

Sample: Noor Boutique