Fougère Bengale

The rendering thus becomes particularly bold, plunging the wearer into a world that is at times Anglo-Saxon, at times at the heart of the “Indian savanna,” to which it seems almost impossible to assign an age. In other words, Fougère Bengale is described by its own creator as being a “fierce and warm” fragrance.

The fougère accord, emblematic of men's fragrances

To create this fragrance, and as its name suggests, Marc-Antoine Corticchiato drew on one of the most celebrated accords in men's perfumery: the fougère. It has been present in men's fragrances since the earliest days of masculine perfumery. Its accord rests on a lavender note, an ingredient much loved by men and evocative for many of them of the scent of soap from barbers of old. Nevertheless, Parfum d'Empire is not a house known for resting on its laurels. Thus, the fougère is revisited here with profound boldness. It is paired with tonka bean as well as oakmoss. Likewise, a syrupy, honeyed blond tobacco accord completes this ensemble, carrying the wearer on a journey to the heart of India. Fougère Bengale is thus a juice that is at once classic and creative, Western and Oriental, contemporary and timeless.

The British, colonial elegance of Fougère Bengale

Likewise, another unexpected ingredient is at play: Assam tea. It is fascinating in its contrasts, blending beautifully with a warmly spiced gingerbread. When this accord is paired with tobacco, it gives off a blond flavor evocative of an elegant and refined English club. Fougère Bengale thus suits the contemporary gentleman beautifully. Yet its wild aspect at the same time almost lets one glimpse the fascinating coat of a Bengal tiger. Its elegance thus becomes more colonial, appealing in this sense to adventurers. Fougère Bengale carries the fire of the savanna and unfolds its full gourmand character through extracts of hay and tonka bean.

The conquering, animalic spirit of Parfum d'Empire

Fougère Bengale ultimately concludes with a more animalic, mossy, and dark sillage. It thus highlights the camphoraceous complexity of patchouli, softened by the presence of cashmere wood with more woody aromas. Vanilla also elevates the whole with its exotic, syrupy flavor. Fougère Bengale thus unfolds its addictive quality with refinement, always possessing the softness of silk, the boldness of a Bengal tiger, the elegance of British gentlemen, and the exotic prestige of a maharajah's palace.