Les Exclusifs de Chanel Coromandel by Chanel

I agree with @Lau_Selin, but my overall impression is positive. It brings back memories of Narciso Rodríguez. It’s an earthy, slightly dusty rose, beautifully masked by patchouli and incense so it doesn’t dominate. A touch of elegance. Totally unisex. In short: it’s good, but nothing particularly novel to justify it.

I’m quite taken aback by this fragrance. I bought it blindly after reading reviews and checking the notes, and the truth is, it hasn’t captivated me. It smells of salt; I can’t detect the chocolate or the flowers. It reminds me of Narciso Rodríguez for Her, which is also unisex—less masculine, yet neither sweet nor feminine. I prefer warm, creamy, and soft scents. It’s not for me.

Hard to imagine Coromandel leaving anyone indifferent. After a lovely citrus opening, on my skin it smells of intense olive, which makes me hate it. No rose, no patchouli, no jasmine: pure olive. This scent lasts for ages and, when it has already driven me up the wall, it surprises me with a dry-down where a slightly less sweet white chocolate blends with the rest like a perfect orchestra. It has me utterly confused.

This perfume is madness. When I first smelled it, I thought it was something traditional, well-executed but simple, and not worth my money or attention. Foolish of me. This perfume is one of those works of art that, once you learn to appreciate it, opens up a new world. The opening is citrus and neroli, classic (like Aqda), but then emerges that sweet, not cloying, tone of white chocolate blending with the earthy patchouli. This phase is magnificent, like a good Chopin piece. It doesn’t do anything strange, but it grabs attention. The longevity is monstrous; it sits close to the skin, but that’s its character. A huge cult masterpiece that I hope to wear well.

Coromandel Things: I’m not sure if this will become my favourite after having smelled around 100 fragrances, but it is certainly the best blend of ingredients I’ve encountered. They are masters at creating new chords. It smells of quality, and although they say it’s for women, it is 100% unisex. What does a balsamic with chocolate have to do with being 100% feminine? Nothing. In the opening, you note orange and flowers; some may not like it, but I love that surprise bonus that disappears quickly, leaving the core of the fragrance: a balsamic blend of patchouli and benzoin that exquisitely complements the incensed white chocolate. It’s incredible how the balsamic doesn’t overpower the chocolate but accompanies it throughout. That is true mastery. The remaining notes are merely anecdotal. It has an outrageous longevity without being heavy, with acceptable trail and projection (I’d say medium, though Fragrantica claims it’s heavy). It’s a balsamic jewel that fills spaces without offending, distilling luxury and class. Don’t buy it blindly if you don’t like balsamics. Three sprays are more than enough for the day. The 75ml bottle at €175 is standard, but the 200ml at €320 offers better value for money due to longevity. Scent: 8.8, Longevity: 9, Projection: 9, Price: 6.5/8.5.

The Chanel gourmand. It’s well-made and feels high quality. Very refined. Once past a citrusy chocolate opening that doesn’t quite work and a fleeting two-minute vision of a dirty stable, Coromandel performs as a white chocolate paste with resins and a very natural patchouli in an acute version, not the refreshing one that smells of an old water jug. Gourmand but not cloying, sweet but woody, greedy and earthy, though slightly too acidic. In between, there are memories of cashmere blankets, wardrobes with scented sachets, and a certain decadence that makes me think of Venice. Coromandel is a well-made fragrance, it smells of something expensive. It also offers nothing new; it reminds me of a mix of Gaultier Kokoriko, Shalimar Parfum Initial, Tom Ford Black Orchid, Carolina Herrera Good Girl, and Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon. If someone gives it to me, I’ll be annoyed.

I like it. Very brief citrus opening, then straight into an earthy patchouli, balanced with the sweet, ambered touch of white chocolate, vanilla, and benzoin. During the development, that earthy-woody-dry facet swaps for a sweeter, creamier one. A slight incensed touch is also felt. It’s a woody Oriental with a gourmand touch, perfectly unisex, with very good performance. Excellent ingredient quality. For autumn and winter, for evening. Long-lasting longevity. Heavy trail.

The blend is impressive! A velvety aroma of patchouli and white chocolate that evokes elegance and high breeding. The longevity is long, around 11 hours, and simply smelling it is a pleasure. The nearly drunken floral notes intoxicate my senses. Coromandel has so enchanted me with its notes and the image it projects: it is within my reach every time I spray it. ~ Platinum Egoiste, my friend, you have met your match and her name is Coromandel ~

It oozes elegance and sensuality. What did you expect from Chanel? All their fragrances are well-assembled. Coromandel has a touch of sweetness that gives it a special appeal. I think it is very suitable for cold climates. Longevity and projection are quite good. It is better for events where you want to draw attention, given its special scent and high price.

A characterful perfume that, despite its resins, does not smell as ‘Arab’ as others; it is quite French. The patchouli and resins give the exotic touch, and I detect a delicious white chocolate note. I see it as unisex, perhaps with a slight masculine leaning. Longevity and projection work well. It reminds me of quality Christmas air fresheners, so it is ideal for winter. A great Chanel fragrance without a doubt.

Coromandel is a beast, a masterpiece that leaves you breathless. While it is hard to come by and almost inaccessible, it screams French elegance of the 1920s. It opens with a dense, sharp note reminiscent of olives or olive oil, with a chaotic touch evoking French vineyards or the olive groves of Jesus. Then it explodes into a tyrannical floral heart, a dictatorship of rose and patchouli, blending with an oppressive harmony of lily and jasmine, giving it an unattainable depth. It closes with a bewildering base: white chocolate, benzoin, incense, wood, and musk. It is innovative, irreplicable, and a stifling breeze of the classic and the gourmand. With incredible projection and longevity, it remains revolutionary today because it exploits the white chocolate without falling into cheap praline. For a few seconds it reminds me of Britney’s Fantasy, and although they are structurally different, I feel that Coromandel is the sophisticated grandmother of that Fantasy, its imposing precursor. Magnificent fragrance.

It is charming and exquisite, a classic among orientals. I agree that it is more masculine than feminine. It reminds me very much of CK Obsession, both in scent, longevity, and trail. It is for a special occasion, nocturnal, and with good attire; it is not for daily use because it draws attention wherever you stand. It stays in history even if you are a witness to its presence only once. That is why I consider it more masculine.