Have you ever bought a perfume just for the name or the bottle? I've made a few purchases inspired primarily by beautiful packaging, even when I wasn't crazy about the fragrance inside — L de Lolita de Lempicka and Bond no. 9 Union Square come to mind — although I've managed to avoid that temptation in recent years. However, when I saw the visuals for Memo Tiger's Nest last spring, I smiled and sighed.
Tiger's Nest belongs to Memo's "Art Land" collection of fragrances created in "tribute to these territories readopted and transformed by the inspired hand of humankind." In this case, the reference point is Paro Taktsang ("Tiger's Nest"), a Buddhist temple and monastery perched in the mountains of Bhutan. One legend holds that Padmasambhava, an eighth-century Buddhist master, arrived at this remote cliffside spot on the back of a flying tigress, hence the site's name.
This fragrance's composition includes notes of absinthe, aldehydes, lime, amber, saffon, incense, osmanthus, ylang ylang, rose, papyrus, vanilla and balsam of tolu, and was developed by perfumer Aliénor Massenet. Tiger's Nest is described as a "woody incense" scent. I don't wear many incense fragrances, but how I could I resist that big cat in its stylized mountain abode?! (Not to mention that one of my nicknames for my dear departed cat Margaret was "Tiny Tiger.")
When I apply Tiger's Nest, it radiates saffron and frankincense top notes. They're simultaneously calming and uplifting — the way I imagine meditation would make me feel, if I could ever get the hang of meditation. The heart of the fragrance is a little woodier (cedar, to my nose) and the floral notes are soothing and subtle. The incense theme of Tiger's Nest turns into a duet as the fragrance develops: the frankincense is joined by the tolu balsam, which is sweeter, almost vanillic, with a faint spiciness. Benzoin is my favorite incense note in perfume, and Memo's take on tolu smells similar to benzoin. (If you want to know more, this post from Bois de Jasmin explains the balsamic notes in beautiful detail.)
When I read the Memo website's description of Tiger's Nest as "fire and flame, in the forests of the night" (did you catch that nod to William Blake's "The Tyger"?) I expected something smokier and more dramatic. Instead, this is a comforting, velvety incense that wears easily. If you loved L'Artisan Parfumeur's Safran Troublant, long ago, you might want to try Tiger's Nest. If you're incense-shy, like I am, but you know that you like vanillic amber scents, this might be your way into the incense genre. Tiger's Nest smells as though it's been made with high quality ingredients, and although it doesn't feel heavy or overpowering, it has excellent staying power on my skin.
So, will I succumb to the lure of Tiger's Nest? As much as I love the fragrance and the bottle design, I can't quite justify the price. I'll enjoy every drop of my sample vial and I'll keep the attached card, but I've resisted this temptation...so far.
Memo Tiger's Nest is available as 75 ($295) or 10 ml ($62) Eau de Parfum. For purchasing information, see the listing for Memo under Perfume Houses.
Aww. Now I want a sample and a card…
I was so happy to get one in a recent order (Luckyscent??). Otherwise it would have been a while until I went to Aedes and sniffed it in-store!
Me too!?
Lovely review and thanks for the link to the benzoin piece. The perfume sounds pretty good . I would love to visit Bhutan when all the rhodendrons are in flower
It really sounds and looks remarkable!!
Kanuka
I was lucky enough to travel through Bhutan on my way to Sikkim back in the early 80s. There were no flights…we traveled overland by Jeep and bus.
I remember air so clear and quiet with faint scent of tea leaves and woodsmoke.
J, did you ever try Amouage Figment Man — you get your money’s worth of weird with that one…a real tiger’s nest.
No!! I wonder what I’d think! I have a hunch that Tiger’s Nest would actually be a bit “tame” for a serious incense-lover like yourself…!
Tigers and incense lemming oh my…. tigers and incense and lemming, oh my….
It’s a very seductive combination!! lol
Ah yes, those Memo prices >.< You make it sound beautiful! As a huge fan of incense and of Safran Troublant, it sounds right up my alley. Hope to get to sniff it sometime soon 🙂
I hope you do, too! I haven’t bought many full bottles lately, so I’ve almost forgotten how high the niche prices have spiraled. :/
OK, this motivated me to place another Luckyscent sample order.
I hope you’ll love it! They do have so many good offerings at LS…
I Tried it. I LOVE it. You are Spot ON!!
🙂 I’m happy that we agree!
🙂
I’m happy that we agree!
After your review I simply had to go sniff it!
Wonderful fragrance,beautiful incense and saffron!
Skins cosmetics here in South Africa only have it in 200ml(!!!!!) bottles,also sold with “Kraft packaging”,whatever that may be.(I did not even ask because the price tag in our currency is about $850 for the 200ml.Still,what a stunner.I shall spray their tester empty whenever I am there!Haha!