Elysees Wood Cologne

This composition pairs a sugary material with dark fruit through its middle stage, an odd combination within a single layer. Bergamot, grapefruit and mandarin orange open with a bright, clean citrus freshness that gives little indication of the sweetness to come. Praline, black currant and white flowers crowd the middle into a sweet, fruity floral density that shifts the composition considerably from its citrus start. White musk, vanilla, amber and cedar wrap things up warm and smooth, giving Elysees Wood Eau de Parfum a comforting, gourmand-leaning conclusion. Fruity gourmand is the fitting classification, versatile enough for daytime wear yet substantial enough for evening plans too. It suits dates, dinners and casual outings about equally well. Fall and winter favor the amber and cedar close most, though the citrus top keeps it wearable into spring. That praline-and-black-currant middle is the detail that gives this considerably more personality than its citrus-driven top alone suggests.