Fragrantica
“I love grand perfumes. Those perfumes that are emotional, opulent, deep, complex, and somehow overwhelming in the way that they offer só much within só many layers that it seems that you’d need a lot of time to even grasp their full spectrum. But these grand perfumes are only grand if they deliver all of these feelings and emotions in an operatic shape of deceiving initial simplicity. That is art. And that is very difficult to find these days. This is what perfumer Nathalie Feisthauer managed to achieve with her creation Nº12 for Puredistance.

 

Nº12 is an overemotional state in the shape of scent. Such is the case for her other creations, like Nuits Indiennes and Versace Blonde. She treats Iris in a special way, it is also clear in Putain des Palaces. But the musks also play an important role, the interplay between them talks about a human body in a state of profound feeling, heatened or trembling with emotion. This becomes ehnanced with the secrets that ambrette imparts in a fragrance, transforming and distorting all the flowers into something hallucinogenic, entering the realm of fantasy. Nº12 is composed of all these bursting sensations which are sculpted into this elegant, refined and cult fragrance. It seems like I am smelling history of perfumery, condensed, revised, curated and filtered into one big perfume that tells you so many things and confidences, that you only keep a memory of what you felt when you smelled it for the first time. I have to thank Nathalie Feisthauer for the moment she gave me when smelling my sample of Nº12. It will never be forgotten.”

 

Colognoisseur
“I thought the opportunity to experience the maturation of a perfume was something I could not pass up. So, I peeked in weekly. Spraying some on a strip every Monday and some on skin. This began a fantastic experience as I really got to know this perfume from M. Vos and perfumer Nathalie Feisthauer as it evolved in the bottle..

 

The last couple of months I’ve spent watching No. 12 unfold has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done as a perfume writer. I’ve never felt the vividness of the development of a perfume more clearly. All I had to do was to follow M. Vos’ advice and wait for it.”

 

“Compared to last years Rubikona, No 12 is brighter and higher on the fragrance note scale, Rubikona is more muted and dark, like silky velvet, where No 12 is like fluid tick silk in texture. Both are chypres, where No12 is more of an elegant carefree daytime fragrance and Rubikona is more serious, leaning to a evening event, although both could be worn around the clock. The blue No 12 to me is a glimmering faceted, cornflower blue saphire, framed in white gold, whereas Puredistance Gold which I associated with a saphire, is a darker, cabochon cut dark saphire framed in muted gold.

If Rubikona evoked the vision of  the “fit and proper” powerwomen, the EU President Ursula van der Leyen, No 12 is the perfume of a Queen. The queen I come to think of is, appropriately Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. As it seems from what is written in the press, a warm, colourful and sparkling personality sometimes appearing in an elegant, bohemian chic style. The color of No 12 is regal blue, like the saphires in Maxima’s imposing tiara.”

“There is no secret – I am an old soul. From time to time, I like to close my eyes and indulge myself thinking about fond memories that seem to be from another life. I am a woman who cherishes the past and carries it to the future. Maybe that’s why I fall in love with fragrances that resemble a time capsule – just like Puredistance No. 12.

 

Created by perfumer Nathalie Feisthauer, No. 12 found its way to Puredistance, completing the MAGNIFICENT XII COLLECTION just like a piece of a puzzle. Because there is no other perfume house that would suited better.

 

When I first tried the fragrance, it seemed simply otherworldly to me. A vintage beauty, like a black-blue pearl among white ones. Signature worthy and breathtakingly beautiful. A perfume I was looking for all my life without even knowing it.”

“No. 12 opens with a soft, buttery bergamot that’s infused with citrus and lightly sweetened florals that go on smooth as silk. From first spritz the perfume is elegance personified as there’s nothing sharp as the now lightly warmed florals seem to infuse into your being as if the perfume isn’t just resting on your skin, but becomes part of it. The ylang-ylang is front and center initially, but hints of rose peek through every now and then. 

 

After some time, the perfume withdraws a bit, making it rather quiet as a slightly metallic rose makes its way in replacing the ylang-ylang as the center of attention. The perfume still retains its buttery and silky finish as it starts to become warmer and grows in projection. After some more time, the butter makes way for the powder which makes the florals all that more feminine. 

 

Continuing on, No. 12 deepens and warms with a lightly weighted mix of amber and softened sandalwood.   Overall the perfume is seamless in its development and its infusion of ingredients. As such, I’m not sure I’m giving it justice with my description. 

 

So in the end, the best way to describe No. 12 is to envision a beauty descending slowly down a grand staircase at the start of the magnificent ball. You can’t help but turn your head and take in the radiant grace and warmth of her spirit. Let the festivities begin!”

 

“From this refined spiciness with a hint of a crunchy, roasted nuts undertone, Puredistance No.12 slowly begins to move in the floral direction. We can find first evidence of this still at the top of the composition where ylang and narcissus start to drape a yellow-colored ribbon scented with the creamy notes of flower petals. The heart of the new Puredistance is a real treasure chest when it comes to the bounty of textures and smells it provides to delight our senses. My nose is particularly thrilled to detect the rich & buttery goodness of orris. I can smell it very clearly with all of its earthy and powdery nuances as well. It’s the indulging aroma that makes me feel pampered.”

 

“She walks in beauty, like the night…So she does, smoothly, and ever so gently. Dreamy, her feet barely touching the ground, dark blue silk swirling around her ankles.

Wearing Puredistance No.12 feels dreamy, like walking on the thin line separating past from present day from night with your eyes closed, and yet in perfect flow. Like entering the state of Flow, and flying in the Zone.

You are aware of everything surrounding you, everything you do seems like it requires no effort, action and awareness are merged, and your mental and physical performance go up with such ease. It’s about feeling elegant, without an effort to BE elegant – spontaneously so, fixated on now and here, but still being aware of the past, leading to a sense of calm and rush coming from deep within a rush that is enthralling. I could see that kind of a feeling – as a color of Blue. 

If you’ve ever experienced being in the Zone – you’ll know that feeling of perfection mixed with utter ease! And it is beautiful!”

 

ÇaFleureBon – Despina Veneti
“Puredistance No.12 opens with the allure of a supreme quality vintage perfume, the way it must have been when it was still fresh, vibrant, untouched by time. After a champagne-reminiscent greeting (a combination of bright citruses and aldehydic touches), the fragrance’s lush, exuberant bouquet starts blooming: a dewy, lemony, slightly metallic rose dominates, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of precious floral oils and absolutes (narcissus, geranium, orange blossom, jasmine, ylang-ylang), as well as subtle spice accents (soapy coriander, cozy cardamom).

 

An undercurrent of marvelous powderiness creates an infinitely elegant boudoir impression, resulting from the synergy between rooty orris butter, almondy heliotrope and dusty osmanthus; this powdery halo eventually leads to a feeling of fully-bodied – yet perfectly groomed – sensuousness that emanates from the skin-like muskiness (ambrette, musks), sweet woodiness (sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla) and chypre character (oakmoss, patchouli) of the base.

 

A special mention is deserved for Mme Feisthauer’s restrained, tasteful use of Ambroxan (which adds a delicately saline tonality), and her exemplary use of Hedione® HC (whose airy, magnolia-like citrusy/floral vibe is uplifting the whole composition to dreamlike heights)… Puredistance No.12 reflects the blue of serene self-confidence and cool, classical beauty, its timeless charm illuminated by golden gleams of understated – but no less impressive – opulence.”

 

The Black Narcissus
“D was wearing Nº12, the new perfume by Puredistance. And it smelled heavenly.… I was completely entranced, and haven’t had an olfactory experience of this blissful intensity for quite a while…. Perfumer Natalie Feisthauer was commissioned with the responsibility of creating a perfume that would leave an absolute and unmistakeable impression. And it does.

On my skin, there is, admittedly, a slight, almost saline rinseishness that comes from the initial tang of oudh-like ambroxan flashed with bright mandarin, bergamot, coriander and cardamom – a fresh opening that is rather dazzling (‘quite grapefruity!’ D exclaimed) with a Montale-like gleam and immediacy, with probable nods to the Middle Eastern markets. Soon veering off course from typical expectations, though, this attention-grabbing opening accord cedes to a rather intriguing contrast between a Faberge-fougère-like accord of powdery heliotrope, orris, geranium, hedione, tonka, oakmoss and ambrette, set against a more classical, Aromatics Elixirish rose, ylang ylang, vetiver, sandalwood, and crucially, patchouli – the key ingredient in the perfume, beautifully used – to form a characterful, long-lasting modern chypre; it is an emotively rich cushioning that is distinctive and frankly gorgeous – particularly when smelled from afar.

Now this fragrance is complete, Puredistance will be henceforth referring to its full collection as ‘The Magnificent 12’, and in this instance, I certainly cannot say that I disagree. On Sunday, in all the perfumed air, I was in heaven.”

 

“Nathalie Feisthauer chose a composition that fits perfectly into the world of Puredistance: luxurious, rich, abundant, slightly baroque and of the highest quality…. No.12 is the essence of Puredistance, no doubt here. A beautiful rich chypre-oriental fragrance made of many aromatic absolutes, very complex and multi-layered as well as contemporary.

Its character is shaped by an extremely rich bouquet of flower essences (looking at the official list of notes, we can find here virtually all possible floral ingredient), which has a nobility given by the iris butter. This overwhelming floral-ness is set on an oriental-woody base accord, where tonka and vanilla set the tone, while the woody notes add depth and body. And there is also patchouli which – if skillfully used, as it is here – adds alot of sensuality. The prelude of the fragrance is decorated with a mixture of citrus and spices with a sensual rather than spicy character (cardamom and coriander). I appreciate the craftsmanship of Nathalie Feisthauer. Composing such a harmonious perfume out of so many such intense ingredients – it is an extremely difficult art in my opinion, especially since many of the ingredients used here are of a natural origin and are usually very complex on their own rights.

When wearing this perfume, it is impossible to be unnoticed and no to charm the surroundings. No.12 is simply overwhelmingly beautiful. Am I surprised with that? Absolutely no. After all, it is Puredistance.”

No.12 Puredistance Review by Huele Me Mucho

NUEVO PUREDISTANCE Nº12: Elegancia Atemporal by Ester in Wonderland