Letters from Venice, Histoires de Parfums 1725

Adventurer, former military officer, author, thinker can describe Giacomo Girolamo Casanova. However he prefered to be remembered for something else. In Histoire de Ma Vie, his autobiography Casanova included detailed and juicy pieces describing his elaborate and complicated affairs. He achieved his goal, his name is still remembered all over the world as a synonym of a womanizer. With 1725, a year of Casanova‘s birth, Histoires de Parfums pays homage to his persona.

1725 begins with a beautiful and mouth-watering smell of grapefruit. It is tart, slightly bittersweet and there’s also a pleasant citric quality to it. In the next couple of minutes the grapefruit accord seamlessly turns into a magnificent lavender. This little purple-gray flower is very aromatic in Casanova. It adds volume to the entire perfume by bringing on its soft, gentle and floral aroma which also has the faintest herbal vibe in the deeper parts of the composition. Lavender is very peaceful and tranquil in this fragrance giving you kind of dreamy or nostalgic feeling.

Lavender chord of 1725 also has a fresh spicy attribute. Star anise is a great addition to flowery lavender. It adds more character and also introduces those spicy, slightly piquant nuances that interlace so well with this Provencal aroma of lavender bush. Sweetness also plays a significant role in this perfume. Vanilla that appears few minutes earlier before star anise emerges is a note of a lovely quality. Its mild sweetness is far away from the sticky, cheap and cloying pudding-like smell. Here it smells noble, quite dry, carrying its own piquancy. Right next to vanilla we have some licorice in Casanova. When I think of licorice I immediately think of black chewy candy I never liked, it had an awful taste and smell to me.

Luckily for this perfume licorice is absolutely not something to be afraid of. It doesn’t have an aroma of those gummy sweets. In Casanova it smells kind of rooty, but it’s not the best word to describe it. It smells sweet, a little bit like brown sugar. Licorice in this Histoires de Parfums creation seems to speak the same language with vanilla as the two of them blend nicely into one smell – vanilla is responsible for softness while licorice reveals something spicy.

As the time flies 1725 changes. When gentle and bright, shiny amber appear in the composition the perfume becomes warm and cosy. Soon after it I could smell some sandalwood. Gosh, it is gorgeous. Soft and smooth, tender and mighty. At some point of the fragrance development all of the notes combine into one amazing smell that I would compare with a delicious meringue, infused with all the aromas that appeared so far, with edible lavender sprinkles on top. The smell of this perfume is so good that I instantly want to have a bite of my arm to check if Casanova tastes as good as it smells. I wish some pastry chef would create a 1725-inspired dessert for me.

Later on, at around 2 hours since spraying, when the perfume slowly gets closer to the drydown and its basenotes, it can eventually turn a little bit more sweet and aromatic. Thanks to almonds 1725 develops a lovely creamy feeling that will embrace you and drag you into a world of sweet fantasies. It’s like a macaroon in spray version. At 2,5 hours point a light citrus vibe can be spotted in the perfume. Bergamot and citruses are muted, like they were in a distant place. In this form Casanova remains for the rest of the day, rather not changing its shape anymore.

I love Histoires de Parfums 1725 Casanova. I loved it from the first try. Before I bought a bottle I purchased a sample set which was made up with 1725 samples only. I transferred them into a bigger vial to make a decant. After I used it I just had to have a flacon. But not everyone likes this perfume. Many accuse 1725 that as inspired by Casanova it should be more edgy and brave. I can’t agree with this plea. Seduction is the art of being soft, gentle and sensual. It’s about being patient, making small steps until a woman falls for you. To me this perfume is exactly as it should be. If you don’t find it appealing or seductive then just don’t wear it. It’s perfect for me.

Casanova is my favorite perfume in Histoires de Parfums range. At the moment it also bears a title of my perfect lavender. 1725 is an eau de parfum created by Gerald Ghislain, house founder. It’s available as 14ml travel spray and in  bottles containing 60ml or 120ml of the perfume. On me Casanova lasts 8-10 hours and has a moderate, elegant sillage. I highly recommend trying it!

[note] All pictures used in this review are my artwork and they belong to me. All rights reserved.