Musc Maori 04
Parfumerie Generale (2005)

Fragrance in three words: Triple Chocolate Orange

The fragrance opens with a zesty orange and chocolate. For any confectionery fans what came to mind was Terry's Chocolate Orange. A British milk chocolate bar flavoured with orange oil.

The chocolate notes in this are authentic smelling and I can imagine expensive to boot. Usually when chocolate notes are used in fragrance they end up smelling like burnt sugar or have no potency and get lost in the mix. In Musc Maori it is very close to drinking cocoa.

The orange fades and the drydown is white musks and slightly powdery amber. Longevity was around 6 hours with moderate sillage.

Due to it using bergamot and having a dusky quality I get similarities to Terre d'Hermès (2006). Terre is much earthier, less bright and sexier. Musc Maori is much more fun though.

Price in the UK (March 2021) is £138 for 100ml standard pricing for Pierre Guillaume's Parfumerie Generale line. Given the quality ingredients and uniqueness I think it is ok priced. I enjoyed wearing it, A rock solid thumbs up, but not a must have for me.

7.5 out of 10

Source: 1ml sample

An interesting gourmand. I don't smell any Tonka, musk, or floral notes here. The cacao pod is prominent. This perfume has a saltiness to it. I get lawn trimmings occasionally. I also get a burnt coffee smell. I wouldn't ever invest in a full bottle because I wouldn't wear this one more than twice a year. Artistically, it's wonderful. Realistically, it is a holiday fragrance.

...Sitting here with my morning coffee, I smell Tonka now. Actually smelling and drinking coffee, somehow brings out the Tonka. Surprisingly, the burnt coffee smell of this, is muted, too. Hmmm. Very interesting...

A lot of good chocolate with the acidity of musk. I can't smell anything else. I love anything gourmand but this one turns cloying. I leave a neutral note for the originality of the idea. Nice try...

Longevity and sillage are both weak.

I think I'm beginning to lose my grouchy attitude to out-and-out gourmand perfumes, because Musc Maori's opening made me go ‘Oh yeah'. So, I'm putting my hand up to say, ‘I'm gimmegreen, and – in this case – I want to smell like a bar of chocolate.'
Well, not just any old chocolate obviously, this is one of those super-enhanced milk chocolate bars – where all the juvenile sugary fun of milk chocolate is bolstered by a high cocoa level of impeccable quality. Cocoa, milk, sweet vanilla – this could have been a disaster. But as good chocolate is all about the mouth feel, this is about the texture of the scent – creamy and rich and yet whipped to a feathery mousse by the white musks. I'm willing to overlook the plasticky white floral note hanging round the edges.
Musc Maori is pretty straightforward; it has little to reveal on the shrink's couch. Not a problem for me, but what does count against it turns a bit rubbery when the air goes out of it in the drydown. Plus, disappointingly, after 2-3 hours it turns into a skin scent on me.

Real, authentic Chocolate...

This is one which to me reminds me of pure chocolate powder, a very dark and aromatic mix here. I find it very authentic in it's cacao note. I think this will appeal to people who love chocolate fragrances. I can't say I detect many of the other notes. I have found this is prominent for the first 2 hours on my skin, then dries down rapidly.

This is the first fragrance I've tried from Parfumerie Generale. A gourmand. I'm impressed, but wish this lasted longer. Not sure if I can recommend but I think it would please fans of chocolate greatly.

I first sampled this at Les Scenteurs in London. There were three men in the shop - all turned round and said 'you smell gorgeous' (or words to that effect). So, does it matter if you smell like chocolate milkshake with a cocoa dusting and a raspberry on top - or that men think you smell great. If the point of perfume is to chop it into components and judge it's artistry maybe this scent is simplistic and silly, but if it's to wordlessly alter the perceptions of oneself and others then this straightforward delicious juice has it nailed. And I like chocolate milkshake!