Reviews of L'Arbre de la Connaissance by Jovoy
If Philosykos felt too grassy or green for you and you’re looking for something sweeter, fruitier, and a bit denser, this might be the fig fragrance for you. It comes off much riper and slightly greener, with more focus on the fruit than the leaf. When comparing the two, Philosykos leans clearly into fig leaf and grassy tones, while the fig in Jovoy’s version smells more like the actual fruit—ripe, maybe even bordering on overripe.
The more I smell this, the more I appreciate Philosykos for staying drier, leafier, and even a bit creamy in a restrained way. Some find Philosykos too grassy, but I like that unique take. In contrast, Jovoy is 3–4 times sweeter—Philosykos is maybe a 2/10 on the sweetness scale, while Jovoy leans closer to a 6 or 7. That sweetness gives Jovoy more projection and slightly better longevity, but also makes it feel a bit artificial at times—especially when smelled side by side with Philosykos, which is more transparent and watercolored in feel.
I used to feel lukewarm about Philosykos, but comparing it with this made me realize I prefer that subtle, airy approach. Still, Jovoy does a great job capturing the ripeness and fruitiness of fig, which not many others do well. There’s definitely an audience for it. You could potentially layer the two, but owning both might be slightly redundant. If you do get both, I'd suggest Philosykos for hot summer days and Jovoy for cooler evenings in spring and fall.
The more I smell this, the more I appreciate Philosykos for staying drier, leafier, and even a bit creamy in a restrained way. Some find Philosykos too grassy, but I like that unique take. In contrast, Jovoy is 3–4 times sweeter—Philosykos is maybe a 2/10 on the sweetness scale, while Jovoy leans closer to a 6 or 7. That sweetness gives Jovoy more projection and slightly better longevity, but also makes it feel a bit artificial at times—especially when smelled side by side with Philosykos, which is more transparent and watercolored in feel.
I used to feel lukewarm about Philosykos, but comparing it with this made me realize I prefer that subtle, airy approach. Still, Jovoy does a great job capturing the ripeness and fruitiness of fig, which not many others do well. There’s definitely an audience for it. You could potentially layer the two, but owning both might be slightly redundant. If you do get both, I'd suggest Philosykos for hot summer days and Jovoy for cooler evenings in spring and fall.
I have a few kind words for L'Arbre de la Connaissance.
It's a fig, no doubt about it but a very different kind of
fig than Olivia Giacobetti's creations for L'Artisan Parfumeur
(Premier Figuier) and Diptyque (Philosykos), both of which
I adore. This is a far more playful fragrance altogether with its
fizzy aldehydic opening somewhat redolent of Pear Drop candy.
Thereafter its an elegant figgy line all the way to the dry down where
it becomes a far softer creature altogether with a warm woody accent.
I'm wearing it a lot as the Autumn leaves fall crisp and golden around me.
philosykos - Olivia giacobetti premier figuier L'Artisan Parfumeur
It's a fig, no doubt about it but a very different kind of
fig than Olivia Giacobetti's creations for L'Artisan Parfumeur
(Premier Figuier) and Diptyque (Philosykos), both of which
I adore. This is a far more playful fragrance altogether with its
fizzy aldehydic opening somewhat redolent of Pear Drop candy.
Thereafter its an elegant figgy line all the way to the dry down where
it becomes a far softer creature altogether with a warm woody accent.
I'm wearing it a lot as the Autumn leaves fall crisp and golden around me.
philosykos - Olivia giacobetti premier figuier L'Artisan Parfumeur
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A study in the fig tree with over-ripe figs.
Stays that way throughout the wear.
I personally enjoy this type of scent, and Jovoy's version does a decent job of addressing the tree and the ripe fruit while modulating the almost tropical punch texture that some fruity fig scents get.
As with most of Jovoy's collection, there's something in the way L'Arbre de la Connaissance is constructed that reminds me of American indies.
Jovoy, however, has access to higher-end ingredients and experienced perfumers (unlike much of the stuff you can grab off Etsy).
L'Arbre de la Connaissance is one of the more straightforward scents in the line.
Stays that way throughout the wear.
I personally enjoy this type of scent, and Jovoy's version does a decent job of addressing the tree and the ripe fruit while modulating the almost tropical punch texture that some fruity fig scents get.
As with most of Jovoy's collection, there's something in the way L'Arbre de la Connaissance is constructed that reminds me of American indies.
Jovoy, however, has access to higher-end ingredients and experienced perfumers (unlike much of the stuff you can grab off Etsy).
L'Arbre de la Connaissance is one of the more straightforward scents in the line.
A weird aldehyde fizzy opening attempt that struggles to be some sort of citrusy green , but smells like plastic dipped in acetone...smells like a batch of M/Mink that went bad...if i smell this and close my eyes i get visions of industrial wastelands , ones with drums of smelly toxic waste siting here and there...thanfully, after about 10 minutes or so this nastiness slowly fades away and starts getting replaced by a half way decent sweet figgy accord...About a third of the way through this test i thought i was going to have to give this a thumbs down , but , after the initial torture , this went to a base of freshly sanded musky sandalwood with a touch of creaminess and a nutty flavor/accent...bad start - decent finish...
Eye-opening top notes… Such an outrageously bright, fruity, aromatic accord… My first thought was that this is some sort of parody of the opening of Chanel's Beige only instead of Beige's aldehydes and bright florals this one presents gaudy, plasticy tropical fruit with a tingly camphor-and-prickly-mint sparkle. I suppose that this is a love-it or hate-it opening and, while I don't exactly hate it, I cannot imagine that my universe would be any the less had I not experienced it.
The opening doesn't last long because after fifteen twenty minutes, the fragrance morphs into a neutral coconutfiggy texture which retains the primary characteristic of plasticity. This heart of the fragrance is a slickly smooth plastic coco-fig and soft sandalwood composite… and it is …not unpleasant. But it seems to be too obviously lacking in relevance I mean, it doesn't project more than a basic skin scent, and it is fairly short-lived.
Just what is the relationship between the aggressive, Tropicana opening and the artless tropical fruity texture of the remainder of the fragrance's life-span? Damned if I know… Apparently, there is enough substance to L'Arbre de la Connaissance to keep me from dismissing it off hand, but I haven't figured out what that substance is…
Off putting fizzy opening smelling about Acetone, cheap tropical fruity juice (aromachemicals galore) and nail polish, really a disaster. In a really few time (a couple of minutes, not more) a sort of coconutty "fig leaves" presence jumps up in order to typify this Jovoy's creation as its main characterizing element (a sort of pina-colada effect). Over five minutes something woody, rooty, vegetal, bitter hesperidic (bergamot??) and herbal jumps finally up slightly "adjusting and setting" the general disappointing "ambience". It seems to catch in this phase a touch of grated green lemons's shells but there is unfortunately still something chemical and plastic roaming around. The note of sandalwood (the main element imo) provides a woody melancholic twist counteracting the lingering figgy-coconutty effect. In this phase the aroma is still juicy and fruity but slightly more restrained and on the way to smell weirdly tart-powdery (beyond the initial mess but not so better). I detect sour lemon, pinacolada and woods but overall is quite senseless, indefinite, hardly fenced in a specific olfactory dimension. Gradually, along the way, a sort of vaguely discernible soapiness (veined by a powder of sandalwood and patchouli) with hardly distinguishable red fruitiness, figs and "green-leaves" bitterness takes the stage without any specific place where to run. Sorry, a really disappointing "Arbre de la Connaissance" under my "respectful" nose. Not for me.
P.S: Conclusions....This is basically a sandalwood/suede accord with soapy-fruity-coconutty accents.
The dry down is drier, more delicate, subtle and close to skin (soft sandalwood, figgy/berrish soapiness and a minimal twist of suede) but the long messy initial run suggests me to insist over the negative rating.
P.S: Conclusions....This is basically a sandalwood/suede accord with soapy-fruity-coconutty accents.
The dry down is drier, more delicate, subtle and close to skin (soft sandalwood, figgy/berrish soapiness and a minimal twist of suede) but the long messy initial run suggests me to insist over the negative rating.
This is a very nice fig based fragrance which definitely there is much more going on beneath it. something naughty!
The opening of this fragrance is a fresh, green, fruity and very beautiful aroma of figs along with sweet citrusy notes.
This combination of figs and sweet juicy citruses (maybe some other fruits as well!) creates an extremely yummy scent. something like a delicious fruity toffee but with much more natural taste!
As time passes I can smell less figs but beside this sweet fruity/figy scent I can detect a resinous, oily and slightly dirty kind of feel.
I believe some oily resins and a mellow dirty leather or it's better to say suede aura is hiding behind the main fruity smell of the fragrance which is a very nice add.
Projection for the first hour, maybe two is average but it sticks to the skin after that and it lasts around 4-5 hours on the skin.
The opening is fine and kind of like other fig based fragrances out there but base of the fragrance was a surprise for me!
The opening of this fragrance is a fresh, green, fruity and very beautiful aroma of figs along with sweet citrusy notes.
This combination of figs and sweet juicy citruses (maybe some other fruits as well!) creates an extremely yummy scent. something like a delicious fruity toffee but with much more natural taste!
As time passes I can smell less figs but beside this sweet fruity/figy scent I can detect a resinous, oily and slightly dirty kind of feel.
I believe some oily resins and a mellow dirty leather or it's better to say suede aura is hiding behind the main fruity smell of the fragrance which is a very nice add.
Projection for the first hour, maybe two is average but it sticks to the skin after that and it lasts around 4-5 hours on the skin.
The opening is fine and kind of like other fig based fragrances out there but base of the fragrance was a surprise for me!
The opening is "arboreal" indeed, with a powerful, bitter, crunchy, fruity and minty note (the fig leaves), on a slightly dissonant sweeter base of vanilla and sandalwood, a soft and silky base contrasting with the zesty-pungent-sour head notes. I also detect some fresh floral notes blending with the green ones. A - kind of plastic - fruity heart (fig, grapefruit) completes the composition. The rendition of branches, leaves and soil is fascinating, as it bears a lot of earthy, dusty "vegetable" nuances, with almost a slight camphoraceous-animalic note too. Personally I don't like this type of scents (the "I've just finished working in my vegetable garden" type), but I admit it smells decently made. The fruity accord is a bit disappointing to my nose, as it basically smells datilat or galaxolide, a bit plain and generic fruity-juicy feel. Finally, it is incredibly short-lasting (couple of hours and it's gone). Halfway decent and "meh...".
6/10
6/10
"The Tree of Knowledge"
I don't know what it is with Jovoy Paris and their choice of fragrance names, but I think they are awesome!
Wrapped in legendary imagery, the Tree of Knowledge as this scent's name translates to, transforms the wearer to the Garden of Eden with its notes of Fig and Fig Leaves. The 'milk' found in freshly-cut figs is what oozes right from the first spritz of this heavy-duty bottle, meaning the wearer has that effect of walking in a sun-drenched Mediterranean (perhaps) forest, full of fig trees a brief moment after a heavy rain shower.
There are many fig scents out there. Some are blended with (white) musk, others with citrus, but Jovoy's offering has a unique creamy sandalwood base which is both long lasting and projects quite strongly for several hours. Delicious!
I don't know what it is with Jovoy Paris and their choice of fragrance names, but I think they are awesome!
Wrapped in legendary imagery, the Tree of Knowledge as this scent's name translates to, transforms the wearer to the Garden of Eden with its notes of Fig and Fig Leaves. The 'milk' found in freshly-cut figs is what oozes right from the first spritz of this heavy-duty bottle, meaning the wearer has that effect of walking in a sun-drenched Mediterranean (perhaps) forest, full of fig trees a brief moment after a heavy rain shower.
There are many fig scents out there. Some are blended with (white) musk, others with citrus, but Jovoy's offering has a unique creamy sandalwood base which is both long lasting and projects quite strongly for several hours. Delicious!
(Woody) Fig, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Fig Tree. What Diptyque attempted in Philosykos, Henin achieved -- the best smelling fig tree ever. It's a fragrant, light and sophisticated scent.
Outstanding and to a certain extent dependent on skin type. This will either radiate or stay close. It smells better when radiant. My skin is a little oily and hates orange blossom, tonka usually, loves spearmint, lemongrass, resins, most citrus (except mandarin) and iris. This is radiant and diffusive on me, with a minty opening tempered by citrus that is an abstraction of a fresh green fig. It transforms into a heart of dry fig tempered with musk and wood that smells simply delicious. It ends in a sweet woody-musky drydown with a sugary element. In the first hour it's one of the most delicious, sweet, floral and fruity smells I've ever experienced.
Some Knowledge Is Better Left Unlearned... L'Arbre de la Connaissance opens with a coconut-like aromatic fig tree note with sharp almost aldehyde-like peach fruit and green accords in support. As the fragrance enters its early heart phase the starring fig tree note remains, though its coconut-like aspects now slightly less evident as the sharp peach fruit accord increases in intensity until it becomes co-star to the fig tree with slightly sweet green fig fruit support late. During the late dry-down the coconut-like aromatic fig tree note finally recedes as the now slightly milky less aromatic sweet fig fruit takes over as co-star teaming with the still present but slightly muted peach. Projection is very good, as is longevity at 8-10 hours on skin. L'Arbre de la Connaissance roughly translates to "The Tree of Knowledge" and while subjected to tolerating my time with this composition I have learned quite a lot. The main thing I have learned is I dislike this stuff immensely, and the aromatic fig tree and sharp green peach do not work well together. Pretty much as soon as I applied the perfume to my wrist I knew things were going downhill fast, and unfortunately they only accelerated as time passed. The only pause to the torture was during the late dry-down as the fig tree finally dissipated, allowing the fig *fruit* to take a more prominent role and mercifully soften the composition late. The bottom line is L'Arbre de la Connaissance represents the kind of scrub-worthy composition that I wish my knowledge of could be erased, earning a "poor" 2 star out of 5 rating and an avoid recommendation except to staunch fig tree lovers.Pros: The late dry-down was tolerable and the fragrance has very good performance.Cons: There is a weird peach-like fruity vibe that permeates the fig tree and it just doesen't work.
I enjoy this scent very much, green with plenty of figue, with a haunting quality that makes me want to go back for more.
The name translates variously as The Tree of Knowledge (a la the Garden of Eden) or The Tree of Enlightenment (the Buddha's, that is).
Based on a small sample, this has a lovely fresh opening -- just a hint of citrus, but mostly green. Then fig -- a bit of the fruit, but mostly wood. Not sweet -- just heavenly fig, leaves, and woods. Perfect for spring and summer, but probably great beside a fireplace, too. I'm not big on "clean" fragrances, but this could be characterized as clean, and dry, and somewhat cool.
Bought the bottle (nice heavy glass in a presentation box), and the character of the juice seems different somehow. I'm not getting much citrus now. The quality is warmer yet paradoxically more herbal, and somewhat indolic. The fruit note, wet and dense, is heavier. I preferred the scent impression I got from the sample (using a dabber, not a spray). There are no animalic notes in the descriptions I've read, but something a bit musky is fighting the fresh greenness I enjoyed so much initially.
I would be very interested in others' impressions.
Based on a small sample, this has a lovely fresh opening -- just a hint of citrus, but mostly green. Then fig -- a bit of the fruit, but mostly wood. Not sweet -- just heavenly fig, leaves, and woods. Perfect for spring and summer, but probably great beside a fireplace, too. I'm not big on "clean" fragrances, but this could be characterized as clean, and dry, and somewhat cool.
Bought the bottle (nice heavy glass in a presentation box), and the character of the juice seems different somehow. I'm not getting much citrus now. The quality is warmer yet paradoxically more herbal, and somewhat indolic. The fruit note, wet and dense, is heavier. I preferred the scent impression I got from the sample (using a dabber, not a spray). There are no animalic notes in the descriptions I've read, but something a bit musky is fighting the fresh greenness I enjoyed so much initially.
I would be very interested in others' impressions.