The first time I smelled patchouli, I hated it. It was a cheap essential oil my friend was wearing instead of deodorant. It stank, intermingling with sour body odor rather than masking it. Like the crushing of the pentatomidae; a smell of warning. The only other time I smelled it was with the skunk of burning cannabis. Pungent and astringent. I decided it was not for me and avoided any mention of the stuff for years.

Since then I have discovered other facets of pachouli, and smelled it in different contexts. Better quality. Expert blends. More forgiving environments. To my surprise, I loved it.

One of my favorite perfumes at the moment is Patchouli Sauvage EDP (2023) by Houbigant. It’s a dark, earthy fragrance. Sweet to the nose, the spice soft like cashmere. It soaks into my clothes like ink. Dried fruits lend life in the form of juicy, tacky texture. Cedarwood and Sandalwood warm and dry it; firewood saved from the rain. I love wearing it on an overcast day, or cozied up in a blanket on a cool evening. There is a play between damp and dry in this fragrance. Standing on wet earth, not a drop of water on you.

Similarly, Misfit EDP (2019) by Arquiste has that cabin the woods feel. It’s more mysterious than Patchouli Sauvage, a curio of secrets and relics. Fragrant family heirlooms wrapped in woven cloth. Young and old, enchanted and witchy.

Another pachouli I find myself drawn to is (aptly named) Patchouly EDT (1989) by Etro. Casually elegant and easy to wear, it has a coolness and freshness to it. The pachouli is blended with other flowers, brightening it. A breeze though a bouquet. Amber and Frankinsense give the dry down a richness that anchors the otherwise light EDT. Completely addictive.

If, like me, you are reticent about patchouli, give these a try. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Until next time,

-Dean