Just some photos of this amazing masterpiece of a fragrance: Cartier La Panthere Parfum; apricot jam chypre like no other…
I’ve been fan of Cartier and always admired their private collection from the distance. Regular offerings found in general perfume stores I explored through numerous samples and I love Cartier’s work for “pour homme” more than “pour femme”. Of course with few exceptions.
There has been miniature of Baiser Vole in my collection, Le Baiser Du Dragon and that’s about it. Then there was a halt for many years and only two years ago I have bought Carat because it is the most stunning aroma of icy thawing of winter before it transitions into rich of florals spring. And now I’ve picked up Parfum version of La Panthere.
Osmanthus and apricots are playing huge role here alongside moss and patchouli in the base. What is bottled and sold in this gorgeous flacon nowadays is the engulfing retro luxury feeling that only certain fragrance houses managed to bring over from 20th century to the current one. A lot of neo-chypres are forgettable, but not La Panthere. She is fierce and somewhat dark, with the bitterness of apricot stones and honey-like fruitiness of the apricot flesh. Slowly brewed into jammy consistency, resting on top of moss and the limit of patchouli I can handle. Earthy and dusty, slightly wet, it’s sweet and oozing in the base.
It is anything but simple. Bold, recognisable and rich smelling. And despite being 2022 release it is full of old-time Hollywood glamour. I imagine Lana Turner or Ava Gardner bathing in this stuff. Or James Bond movie set smelling like it. Fantastic graciosus beast, just like the feline who is inspiration for the name and bottle design.
