Reviews of Infini by Caron
This version of Infini PdT is layered beyond its opening aldehydes. It would seem disingenuous to discuss what notes I detect, whether a narcissus accord goes in whatever shape or direction or the rose is a certain kind of rosy and the lilac reminds me of arboretum walks in May, and so on. This is because my nose doesn't tell my brain that it knows where one ends and the other begins, or even if there are clear overlaps. It all just coalesces like the seasonings in a good warlock's broth: a composite deliciousness. It's so tasty.
Orbiting it all is muted, cool greenness and spiced-clove smoke, discreetly herbal accents, moving forward into the iris-cloaked "woods are lovely, dark and deep" and a warm amber sunset. It feels crepuscular, recalling that sensation I love, a hypnagogia, the liminal space between awake and asleep, a heavy-eyed mossy sedative. I took a nap in the afternoon while wearing this, and it served as the "smell-track" as some Don Slepian new age was the "sound-track." Infini PDT inspired me to explore this concept more. This earlier Daltroff version is a must for green aldehyde floral adventurers.
Orbiting it all is muted, cool greenness and spiced-clove smoke, discreetly herbal accents, moving forward into the iris-cloaked "woods are lovely, dark and deep" and a warm amber sunset. It feels crepuscular, recalling that sensation I love, a hypnagogia, the liminal space between awake and asleep, a heavy-eyed mossy sedative. I took a nap in the afternoon while wearing this, and it served as the "smell-track" as some Don Slepian new age was the "sound-track." Infini PDT inspired me to explore this concept more. This earlier Daltroff version is a must for green aldehyde floral adventurers.
I have the vintage 70's parfum version in a spray travel container (rectangular, black plastic with a gold band - very much like a Chanel No 5 type travel spray). I am not sure of the age of my spray. The juice is dark - so, vintage, but maybe not kept well. Nevertheless, it is beautiful - green, green, green! I do not get any smoke or leather notes at all. I get jasmine, lily of the valley, narcissus. Infini is most like Chamade, Diorissimo, Volupte, or vintage Vent Vert. It is not as dry as No. 19. or Cristalle. The effect is like smelling a huge bouquet of spring flowers, including that dusty, pollen note (which might be what other reviewers are noting as 'smokey"). Great stuff, indeed!
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The opening combines a distinct peach note with the gentle contrast to a coriander impression, enriched by a good lashing of a comparatively discreet aldehyde - less bright and less attention-seeking as in Chanel No.5. All these are mixing together to produce a delicious starter.
The drydown is tuning up the floral volume: muguet with daffodil and carnation crest a powerful, but never too sweet, potpourri; when a rose impression announces the transition to the base notes, the additional richness of a vanilla with sandalwood is combined with a gentle musk, which is never harsh or faecaloid, but more on the soft side. The base also develops an increasingly powdery undertone with time.
I get moderate sillage, very good projection and an astounding fifteen hours of longevity on my skin, with the last five hours being very close to my skin.
This is a delicious scent for spring evenings, rich, smooth and velvety. The quality of the ingredients is astounding, the aldehydes are incorporated is a manner that is discreet but effective, and the blending is superb. A great floral aldehyde, sweet and soft. 4/5.
The drydown is tuning up the floral volume: muguet with daffodil and carnation crest a powerful, but never too sweet, potpourri; when a rose impression announces the transition to the base notes, the additional richness of a vanilla with sandalwood is combined with a gentle musk, which is never harsh or faecaloid, but more on the soft side. The base also develops an increasingly powdery undertone with time.
I get moderate sillage, very good projection and an astounding fifteen hours of longevity on my skin, with the last five hours being very close to my skin.
This is a delicious scent for spring evenings, rich, smooth and velvety. The quality of the ingredients is astounding, the aldehydes are incorporated is a manner that is discreet but effective, and the blending is superb. A great floral aldehyde, sweet and soft. 4/5.
Wow - this stuff is fantastic! For those who haven't smelled it, it's an aldehydic floral in the veins of Chanel No 5, but less sparkly and more down to earth, with Caron's signature mix of dusting powder and cloves. There's some green galbanum and a whiff of smoke, as well as a musky suede that come through in the middle.
It kind of reminds me of a much more refined Old Spice, in that the leather and smoke and cloves come together to form a meaty undertone to counterbalance all the powder and flowers. But really, Old Spice is beef jerky being smashed by a perfumed sledgehammer, while Infini is a carefully crafted bouquet in the kitchen of a castle on the French countryside.
The drydown remains flawless - first a mix of hyper-rich sandalwood and musks with a generous helping of rose, which gently fades to vanilla and spiced musks that last for a good 20 hours in the modern extrait version. Thumbs all the way up - this is truly grand perfumery!
It kind of reminds me of a much more refined Old Spice, in that the leather and smoke and cloves come together to form a meaty undertone to counterbalance all the powder and flowers. But really, Old Spice is beef jerky being smashed by a perfumed sledgehammer, while Infini is a carefully crafted bouquet in the kitchen of a castle on the French countryside.
The drydown remains flawless - first a mix of hyper-rich sandalwood and musks with a generous helping of rose, which gently fades to vanilla and spiced musks that last for a good 20 hours in the modern extrait version. Thumbs all the way up - this is truly grand perfumery!
One of my favourite fragrances of all time (hence my username). A beautiful slightly green, aldehydic smoky floral: just perfect. Elegant in a way so many modern fragrances just aren't.
Though I am devastated to discover this jewel has recently been discontinued, this could be worse, as completely by chance, a few years ago I discovered a perfume called Brocade, which is made by the monks on Caldey Island (off the coast of Wales, UK). I have only tried the pure perfume, and I really cannot tell the difference on my skin between it and Infini (it's a fraction of the price too). Brocade is available online on the Caldey Island website. I'm still very sorry to see the demise of Infini, especially when Caron has recently added some very nondescript fragrances such as My Ylang to its range
Though I am devastated to discover this jewel has recently been discontinued, this could be worse, as completely by chance, a few years ago I discovered a perfume called Brocade, which is made by the monks on Caldey Island (off the coast of Wales, UK). I have only tried the pure perfume, and I really cannot tell the difference on my skin between it and Infini (it's a fraction of the price too). Brocade is available online on the Caldey Island website. I'm still very sorry to see the demise of Infini, especially when Caron has recently added some very nondescript fragrances such as My Ylang to its range
Infini by Caron
I originally reviewed this on 4/6/14 from an edt sample. The review is below, followed by a neview on 4/8/22 of the vintage parfum.
Original edt review: 4/6/14
For me this is a slightly rosy, herbal, scent, drying to a smoky leather that is very light. Most interesting for Caron, but nicely done.
The scent is very light and has no longevity, thus the neutral review.
Top notes: Coriander, Peach, Neroli, Bergamot
Heart notes: Jasmine, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Muguet, Orris, Carnation
Base notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver, Tonka, Musk, Amber, Civet
New vintage parfum review: 4/8/22
The carnation bursts forth and takes center stage. At this point it is very Sous Le Vent (Guerlain). None of the top notes are recognizable, but the rose and jasmine combo soon come forward and are deeply supported by the warm orris. The ylang enters and adds a buttery roundness to the composition. This is rather luscious. Just imagine: carnation, rose, ylang, jasmine and a strong orris support.
As the dry down continues, the carnation subsides but still gives one that spicy background, to allow the luscious base notes to come forward. How Caron can make sandalwood, vetiver, musk, amber and civet to meld into a “subtle” and unobtrusive base is a miracle, but it does.
All in all, a spicy, dry, smoky and sultry scent that is quite a masterwork.
I originally reviewed this on 4/6/14 from an edt sample. The review is below, followed by a neview on 4/8/22 of the vintage parfum.
Original edt review: 4/6/14
For me this is a slightly rosy, herbal, scent, drying to a smoky leather that is very light. Most interesting for Caron, but nicely done.
The scent is very light and has no longevity, thus the neutral review.
Top notes: Coriander, Peach, Neroli, Bergamot
Heart notes: Jasmine, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Muguet, Orris, Carnation
Base notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver, Tonka, Musk, Amber, Civet
New vintage parfum review: 4/8/22
The carnation bursts forth and takes center stage. At this point it is very Sous Le Vent (Guerlain). None of the top notes are recognizable, but the rose and jasmine combo soon come forward and are deeply supported by the warm orris. The ylang enters and adds a buttery roundness to the composition. This is rather luscious. Just imagine: carnation, rose, ylang, jasmine and a strong orris support.
As the dry down continues, the carnation subsides but still gives one that spicy background, to allow the luscious base notes to come forward. How Caron can make sandalwood, vetiver, musk, amber and civet to meld into a “subtle” and unobtrusive base is a miracle, but it does.
All in all, a spicy, dry, smoky and sultry scent that is quite a masterwork.
This smells like Solaris. Moony, crepuscular, vaguely outerspace. Space exploration was the inspiration behind the name "Infini," but I could readily smell the suggestion of other worlds in an 80s pdt and another parfum formulation before learning of this background.
Smokey like a contained electronic desktop bonfire of the vanities. A similar feeling to vintage Miss Balmain parfum; a jolie laide androgyny, futurism, and a suggestion of the texture of soft leather or suede--not the smell of leather itself here but the sensation of smoothness and toughness at once. Infini's aldehydes are much more bubbled and glassy than rich and soapy.
Tonka teleports in and out at random intervals in the drydown, giving flesh to a luscious, expensive, and medicinal vanilla that has nothing to do with the omnipresent gourmand vanilla of today. Caron perfumes handle narcissus and white florals unlike any other house: with a full force that unearths stark beauty, eschewing preciousness and softness in favor of visible brushstrokes.
Even though my two versions of Infini are not of Daltroff's original creation, they are classic Caron; a house characterized most of all by the olfactive embodiment of intelligence as opposed to Guerlain's show of sensualism and luxury (an exception being Mitsouko) or Chanel's market corner on the odor of elegance. Of course the typical pitting of Guerlain vs. Caron misses the point; each does something so well that the other cannot, and Infini is the android that the wooly Guerlinade could never dream.
Smokey like a contained electronic desktop bonfire of the vanities. A similar feeling to vintage Miss Balmain parfum; a jolie laide androgyny, futurism, and a suggestion of the texture of soft leather or suede--not the smell of leather itself here but the sensation of smoothness and toughness at once. Infini's aldehydes are much more bubbled and glassy than rich and soapy.
Tonka teleports in and out at random intervals in the drydown, giving flesh to a luscious, expensive, and medicinal vanilla that has nothing to do with the omnipresent gourmand vanilla of today. Caron perfumes handle narcissus and white florals unlike any other house: with a full force that unearths stark beauty, eschewing preciousness and softness in favor of visible brushstrokes.
Even though my two versions of Infini are not of Daltroff's original creation, they are classic Caron; a house characterized most of all by the olfactive embodiment of intelligence as opposed to Guerlain's show of sensualism and luxury (an exception being Mitsouko) or Chanel's market corner on the odor of elegance. Of course the typical pitting of Guerlain vs. Caron misses the point; each does something so well that the other cannot, and Infini is the android that the wooly Guerlinade could never dream.
Although I have seen and smelled just about every fragrance Caron has produced when I visited their Avenue Montaigne flagship store in Paris three decades ago, I have never seen the original 1912 version of Infini. I wish I had, though. According to the legend, Caron took 15 years to perfect that fragrance. However, I am quite familiar with the splendid 1970 reedition:
Top: Jasmine, narcissus, lily of the valley, aldehydes
Heart: Iris, lilac, tuberose, rose
Base: Vetiver, musc, sandalwood, amber, tonka beans
Infini is one of the most modern fragrances Caron has ever made. It is surprisingly light and slightly aquatic which is rather unusual for an aldehyde floral. Some fragrances in that category can be heavy and heady. Not Infini. This wonderfully feminine fragrance leaves a fresh and subtle trail. I don't understand that "smokey" reference mentioned by some fellow reviewers. Could it be the vetiver? Personally, I sense nothing dark or dry in this fragrance. Unless, of course, there is a new reedition that I have not seen yet which, unfortunately, is a possibilty.
Finally, although it has nothing to do with the quality of any perfume, the bottle used in the 70's and 80's for Infini was a genuine work of art. For some reason, Caron now uses a bland and nondescript generic bottle for some of the classic fragrances. It is a shame, really. I believe that part of the perfume experience is the artistry of the bottle.
Top: Jasmine, narcissus, lily of the valley, aldehydes
Heart: Iris, lilac, tuberose, rose
Base: Vetiver, musc, sandalwood, amber, tonka beans
Infini is one of the most modern fragrances Caron has ever made. It is surprisingly light and slightly aquatic which is rather unusual for an aldehyde floral. Some fragrances in that category can be heavy and heady. Not Infini. This wonderfully feminine fragrance leaves a fresh and subtle trail. I don't understand that "smokey" reference mentioned by some fellow reviewers. Could it be the vetiver? Personally, I sense nothing dark or dry in this fragrance. Unless, of course, there is a new reedition that I have not seen yet which, unfortunately, is a possibilty.
Finally, although it has nothing to do with the quality of any perfume, the bottle used in the 70's and 80's for Infini was a genuine work of art. For some reason, Caron now uses a bland and nondescript generic bottle for some of the classic fragrances. It is a shame, really. I believe that part of the perfume experience is the artistry of the bottle.
There are perfumes, that even if sniffed blindfolded, one immediately classifies as French. Infini is one and it belongs to a group of fragrances where the addition and compounding of elements results in a cloud experience (quite at odds with the J-C Ellena tendency which aims at transparency and clarity). Some claim these perfumes have had their day; I for one am glad they still exist.
Infinity has exquisite balance, a multitude of notes are deployed in perfectly judged quantities making it difficult (and ultimately pointless) to separate them; it has a certain reserve and hauteur; it doesn't deliver immediate rapture like some other creations from this house, like Parfum Sacre, do.
I for one am glad I have come to Caron late. Their perfumes require an experienced nose; they're not always aiming for the punchline in the first few seconds like most modern perfumes need to do in order to survive in the mass market.
So what is Infini? A restrained abstract floral with springlike touches (a touch of green from narcissus, the langour and warmth of jasmine and tuberose) cloaked in a wonderfully silken smokiness, sprinkled with antique powders. It rests on comforting woods, of which a buff and soft sandalwood is the most prominent and appealing to my nose. Some have noted a somewhat metallic feel, others remark on aldehydes; all true. Its richness rewards contemplation but doesn't feel heavy.
I am less enamoured of it towards the end of its active life (5-6 hours in) when what is left on my skin smells a bit old and unaired. But at this point the volume has dropped considerably and a reapplication will not skew the experience.
Infinity has exquisite balance, a multitude of notes are deployed in perfectly judged quantities making it difficult (and ultimately pointless) to separate them; it has a certain reserve and hauteur; it doesn't deliver immediate rapture like some other creations from this house, like Parfum Sacre, do.
I for one am glad I have come to Caron late. Their perfumes require an experienced nose; they're not always aiming for the punchline in the first few seconds like most modern perfumes need to do in order to survive in the mass market.
So what is Infini? A restrained abstract floral with springlike touches (a touch of green from narcissus, the langour and warmth of jasmine and tuberose) cloaked in a wonderfully silken smokiness, sprinkled with antique powders. It rests on comforting woods, of which a buff and soft sandalwood is the most prominent and appealing to my nose. Some have noted a somewhat metallic feel, others remark on aldehydes; all true. Its richness rewards contemplation but doesn't feel heavy.
I am less enamoured of it towards the end of its active life (5-6 hours in) when what is left on my skin smells a bit old and unaired. But at this point the volume has dropped considerably and a reapplication will not skew the experience.
As modern as a wrap around dress, this sparkling, smokey floral is amazing. Full of contradictions this is hot and cold, feminine and masculine, heavy and yet light. This is a gorgeous offering from Caron and the angular perfume bottle perfectly captures the time that it came out. This is occasionally criticized as being "perfumey"--whatever that means--and so it should; it comes from one of the great French perfume houses when they were at the top of their game. Women of the world--buy and wear this! It is 70s French chic in a bottle!
I own Infini in parfum , one of the latest incarnations - and I agree with what others have said . Contradictory , smoky , cold , remorseless . But yet I have come to love it .
I also own a mossy , vintage parfum de toilette 85 , gorgeous , easier to love , less metallic .
Recently I swapped for half an ounce of L'Infini parfum in a clear cylinder box . OMG , much more floral , almost jammy , and barely a whiff of that smoky/metallic accord . I'd be happy to share a sample .
I wish I knew when these different bottles were made...!
I also own a mossy , vintage parfum de toilette 85 , gorgeous , easier to love , less metallic .
Recently I swapped for half an ounce of L'Infini parfum in a clear cylinder box . OMG , much more floral , almost jammy , and barely a whiff of that smoky/metallic accord . I'd be happy to share a sample .
I wish I knew when these different bottles were made...!
A fragrance aimed at a feminine market can't possibly be this smoky- Oh...it's French. I see.
Fascinating stuff. Can't seem to decide, try as I might, whether I love it or hate it. Too dark, dirty and smoky for women. Too white and green floral to suit most men. This scent is untrustworthy. If this smells good on you I want to meet you, for you are a peculiar character.
I list this as 'Neutral' but officially I am 'Undeclared.' Infini has no ties, no friends, no remorse, and no real flaws to speak of. It is a character in a novel: the character people whisper about.
Fascinating stuff. Can't seem to decide, try as I might, whether I love it or hate it. Too dark, dirty and smoky for women. Too white and green floral to suit most men. This scent is untrustworthy. If this smells good on you I want to meet you, for you are a peculiar character.
I list this as 'Neutral' but officially I am 'Undeclared.' Infini has no ties, no friends, no remorse, and no real flaws to speak of. It is a character in a novel: the character people whisper about.
Hyacinth. Smoke. Oakmoss. I am sampling an uncertain vintage, but likely fairly current. I find it contradictory. It smells "young" (white flowers), yet has a classique/ perfumey structure. It is beautiful (complex smokey), yet somewhat cold. Will try in colder weather. ( I upgraded my evaluation from a neutral to a positive. Its holds together beautifully in Winter.)
Infini is one of very few perfums I would describe as perfect: according to Caron, it took 15 years of intensive research to develop, and I can see why. For me it is the essence of late 60s/early 70s French perfume. It has aged well and makes a refreshing change to many insigificantly forgettable newer perfumes. All the notes of Infini are very subtle, with none overpowering the others.When I put Infini on, I immediately get a smokey note, which reminds of Dior Dior; after 30 seconds this combines with very subtle jasmine and hyacinth. Heavier woody and possibly tonka bean notes are there too, but not in an obvious way. Caron describe this perfume as having a "chord" of notes; for me this is true: the floral and wood notes can somehow be smelled as separate layers, all at the same time. After half an hour the smokey note fades, and iris and subtle rose joins the jasmine and hyacinth. Aproximately two hours later, a green note joins the chord. The fragrance lasts and last and is still strong on me 8 hours later.A very strong concentration of Infini has been available, called "L'Infini"; I have never tried it, but would love to. For me, Infini is underrated, andold fashioned in the best sense of the word, but far from outdated.
This is an old fashioned perfume that lacks any modern touch that would make it wearable for me. It´s nicely done and the oakmoss is lovely but too present and too green to make it wearable for me. It is uncompromising. It also reminds me a lot of my grandmother.
Though the one i hold in my hand is an boxed sample of caron i had deep suspects that bottle is filled with something else. I have nothing green or floral from it. Opens with a leathery smoky aura which turns out to be a rich and nice oakmoss. Then rises carnations and jasmin in an old (i mean not with their actual smells but their old way representations) but nice way. It is a bit spicy and sweet probably due to carnations but carnations are not over powered cloying clovers as in many of coevals. For me it has the best parts of mitsouko and le heure bleu (oakmoss jasmin carnations) and lacks the cloying disturbing part of them (neroli and begamot representative old heavy oils). It is one of the still wearable oldies for me.
A shape shifter. Sometimes I get a light, rather old-fashioned green floral fragrance with a couple of off notes not really impressive. At other times it gets heavily sensual and seductive with its potent musks and jasmine indoles. The different reactions seem to have to do mainly with the ambient temperature: cold brings the off notes, heat brings on the sensuality. In both cases I get strong aldehydic effects and I never smell the roses. Infini is strongly floral but it doesn't smell at all flowery to me. The particular flowers I smell, act as discreet white florals, which, except for the jasmine, do not seem to be the heady types, rather they are fresh and clean smelling. The jasmine is quite quiet and demure except for the strong indole effect that it regularly distributes. Infini has very good longevity and I really like it when it reacts sensually and indolicly, but I am not impressed when it goes off in the cold. When it's reacting right, it is quite elegant. Infini is an excellent and interesting fragrance.
It's not often that a fragrance stumps me, but this one does. I would have guessed that the formula was much older than 1972; it smells Old World. I think I smell the vetiver, plus a strange peach note, and lots of carnation. Also, there is a hint of the "green twigs" note similar to Dzonka, but indistinct. Is it too sophisicated for my nose? I can't say that I would choose this one for myself, but I do think it is interesting.
This definitely smells like it was made in 1912! While i usually appreciate vintage chypres and the likes this is too much for me. It's just a muddy jumble of sharp and musty notes, I can't make out anything except maybe some bitterly powdery oakmoss and some piercing aldehydes. The flowers feel plasticky and flat and weirdly dense and I think I can detect some cumin too. In fact, it reminds me a bit of Rochas Femme, which I don't appreciate. And this is the extrait too.
This feels a lot like my other favorite Caron; 'Fleurs Des Rocailles'. The notes are shared although the overall effect of the L'Infini is of FDR combined with champagne. It has a lighter greener aldehyldic treatment. Less amber than FDR. It has a beautiful bouquet, never too sweet or strong.
I managed to get the 1970 parfum. Infini is divine a wonderful green aldehyde. Fresh not overly sweet.
Unmistakably CARON! I completely agree with sceneur7 - this one is very wearable by a man. The floral notes here have depth and richness - not fleeting or lighthearted in any way.
What a surprise! This is MAGNIFICENT...Definitely wearable by a man!Caron writes: While only poets and scientists have been able to approach the fascination of infinity, CARON managed in 1970 to capture its fragrance.This olfactory creation needed a lot of research to reach the perfect harmony between the green start, the aldehyde floral heart, and the wooded base.NOTES: EAD NOTE: Jasmine, lily of the valley & yellow narcissus. HEART NOTE: Iris, rose, yellow night-blooming hyacinths. BASE NOTE: Tonka beans, vetiver, musk, sandalwood, amber.