Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain

Opens with a dry, slightly milky fig that keeps one foot in the greenness of leaves rather than the sweetness of fruit. The rose in the heart is muted and powdery, kept earthy by oakmoss and a resinous whisper of cistus before cedar and musk pull everything into a smooth, skin-close dry-down. Projection is modest throughout — this is a quiet, intellectual fragrance that works close to the body with soft, woody sillage that lingers without announcing itself — Best worn in cool weather for someone who prefers suggestion over statement.