Diptyque Eau Mohéli Eau de Toilette review

        Chicago is lucky to have one of only four Diptyque boutiques in the United States (two being in New York City on Bleecker St. and Madison Ave., and one on Maiden Lane in San Francisco). Chicago's boutique is nestled in Bucktown, which has a nice set of shops away from the hustle and bustle of North Michigan Avenue. Candles and perfumes packed in neat wooden displays decorate the cozy interior--- it's a bit more spare and streamlined than the glitzy Bleecker St. boutique, which I've also passed by. Recently, I stepped into the Chicago Diptyque boutique after seeing their brand new perfume, Diptyque Eau Mohéli, on display!

         Diptyque Eau Mohéli Eau de Toilette is an exotic floral perfume inspired by its namesake island. Moheli is part of a three island archipelago that makes up the nation Comoros, located off the east coast of Africa between Mozambique and Madagascar. The island is rich in flora; visitors can enjoy the striking fragrance of ylang-ylang, and admire a bevy of local orchid species and endemic palms. Moheli is also home to baobob trees and a number of pepper and vanilla plantations.

Notes: Floral notes, Ylang-ylang, patchouli, pink pepper, ginger, vetiver, benzoin, incense.

        Diptyque Eau Mohéli Eau de Toilette is an exotic floral perfume crafted around ylang-ylang. Woody benzoin opens the scent; it's spicy, but a bit watered down and not-so-acrid. Ginger root immediately follows (it's more dry peel-on ginger as opposed to fresh cut) and has a lasting presence throughout the scent. The root is laced with a generous helping of pink pepper that tickles the nose. These spices enhance the natural character of the warm ylang-ylang, which is joined by pretty florals that add a nice lucidity to the scent. In the second part of the fragrance, the root-like character of the perfume transfers from ginger over to vetiver. The green root-like smell has an odd warm freshness --- like a green mist exhaled by large jungle fronds under the burning sun. A light patchouli fits in seamlessly with the vetiver, adding a fuzzy focus and depth.The final dry-down features ginger, ylang-ylang, patchouli, pepper, and a leafy jungle green.

          The refreshing breath of hot fronds and pretty flowers combined with the warm medicinal feel of the roots and spice in Diptyque Eau Mohéli definitely channels the feel of an island jungle under the sun. The perfume is full but not heavy. I found that the heat of one's skin plays a significant role in the scent experience. On strips of fabric or cool skin, it's easier to appreciate the florals and lush green tones in Diptyque Eau Moheli. On warmer skin, the ginger and roots seem to predominate. If you're interested in Eau Moheli, I'd recommend trying the perfume on your skin first to see how it behaves.

          Diptyque Eau Mohéli is a spicy ylang-ylang perfume that really captures the imagination. It's an off-the-beaten path type of scent that channels the ylang-ylang flowers, pepper plantations, and warm green vegetation of its namesake island. I'd definitely recommend a sniff of Eau Moheli this summer --- you might be surprised where it takes you! Thanks for reading! Have you tried Diptyque Eau Moheli? Have you ever visited a Diptyque boutique? What was the last Diptyque perfume or candle you tried?

Love, Dovey.
P.S. For more Diptyque, be sure to check out my review of Diptyque Volutes!