Apotheose
Oriza L. Legrand (1900)

This is definitely a unique fragrance. I purchase a discovery set directly from the manufacturer, so I got my pick of fragrances. This was one of my picks.

Initial spray, was herby and had a bit of that eucalyptus spunk. It bordered on medicinal, but it was just shy of being some liniment. It was not a bad opening, a tad different but pleasant.

Getting into the middle was odd for me. (I think it is the ylang-ylang) It became this doll-head smell. I believe it is the mix of Ylang and the rose with the eucalyptus. I was not over fond of the middle

Dry down it is quieted. I still get pepper, and I cannot tell if it is the green pepper variety or black pepper. It smells like a mix of both. I think the ylang-ylang is hovering in the background also.

I will leave this as a neutral rating. I will spend a little more time with this before my final declaration.

I do have to say, I like this house. Their scents are well-crafted and definitely feel like a very quality product. I really want to try their soaps..

From their description of the note (their site)
Top notes
Eucalyptus & Pepper
Heart notes
Ylang Ylang & Rose
Base notes
Benzoin & Musk

I love the immediate effervescence of Apothéose from its aldehydes, black pepper, and the light camphor of eucalyptus. I welcome this penetration of my senses as it lashes me until it transforms into a rosy caress and light nibbles from ylang ylang. Voluminous, mother-of-pearl musks are at the core here: I am reminded of Nivea cream, the slightest eager perspiration wearing a freshly laundered shirt starched with Niagara, and the cotton that's used to keep pills in a bottle fresh. Mind you, all of this is a positive in my book.

The gauzy musks may prove to be vertiginous to the more fragile of noses, but for those like myself, who will gladly smother themselves in their large, globular molecules until left in a stupor. If you can survive through "sparkle, Neely, sparkle" (I have faith in you!) get ready to float in the powder-dusted magic bubble up to Cloud 9. If fragrances like Chanel 1957, White Linen, Creed Royal Mayfair, or Les Indesmodables Musc des Sables make your heart skip a beat, it would behoove you to get acquainted with the rousing Apothéose.

Oriza Legrand, a French perfume house founded in 1720, describes the headnotes of the Apothéose fragrance as Eucalyptus and pepper, with heart notes of Ylang Ylang and Rose, and Base Notes of Benzoin and musk. I purchased it because this early 20th century formula is so utterly different from anything I had smelled previously. In practice, I am finding it unwearable… An intense “clean” aura like some unfamiliar soap made of domestic ingredients better left untouched. And the effect barely softens: it has excellent longevity and sillage.