Le Labo Poivre 23 (London Exclusive)

I love London. I've always loved London, even before my first visit in 1989. Le Labo has given yet another reason to visit the English capital: Poivre 23, their London exclusive perfume. Just look at the notes: Bourbon pepper, citrus, incense, cistus labdanum, Australian sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, gaiac wood and styrax. Le Labo Poivre 23 is as addictive as it sounds.

The opening is, indeed, very peppery. It bursts and shines, bordering on the foody facet of the spice before it softens so quickly you can almost visualize the process. Sometimes an incense note registers as peppery. In Le Labo's Poivre 23, perfumer Nathalie Lorson takes full advantage of this quality and allows the pepper to transform into a bold sweet incense and labdanum that will thrill everyone who enjoys a full bodied (as opposed to austere) sweet incense.

From there on its a delectable journey into the satisfying world of amber-wood-vanilla. Le Labo Poivre 23 is not a gourmand by any mean, but it has that "yummy" thing going for it: a just sweet enough vanilla, a warmth that envelopes the skin, the wearer and anyone who comes close enough with its sensuality.

London is an exciting city. Just like NYC, it's full of promises and possibilities. There's something amazing waiting just around the corner, and one of them is obviously at Liberty London.

Le Labo Poivre 23 will be available for the month of November through the house's website (lelabofragrances.com) and Luckyscent (samples are already on sale at $10 per 1.5 ml). A press sample for consideration and review was sent to me by Le Labo.

Photo: Phone Box by Norman Parkinson, London 1963.