Question:
Alright, who sucked up all of the ORRIS?

Luckyscent had four bottles left when I placed my order yesterday.
Those same four bottles were in stock a week or so ago.

So I posted this thread and hyped it a bit, and now they are GONE!
That's right, completely sold out. It doesn't even show up on Andy's website anymore...

My bottle is coming so I really don't care , but how much do you want to bet that you start seeing Orris on Ebay for $5-$10 per ml in the near future?

I'll be reserving this one for special occasions, and wearing it SPARINGLY!
It's going to have to last a lifetime...

Paul

Answer:
Try Hermès Hiris. It's a different take on iris; the iris in it is definitely present (probably the orris root they used was extra good), but the scent is not totally linear, and the complexity of it may give you a pleasant surprsie!

Answer:
Originally Posted by Scentsibility Those were my thoughts exactly - warm, dark, and sensual... So would you call it an anti-iris fragrance? That is, it uses the note, even highlights and worships it, but takes it in an opposite direction than what one would normally expect.

P Well spoken, Paul!
I only have a tiny sample vial of Tauer's Orris, and agree that it's dark and almost anti-iris -- I certainly found it more root than flower. Still, fantastic. I'm fairly new to this whole thing, but have to say I think Andy Tauer is a master (Yes, price hikes notwithstanding).
Another great iris-based possibility not yet mentioned here is Ormande Jayne's Orris Noir, which I adore, and think would work very well on a man. On me it tends to stay close to the skin, so liberal application for higher sillage is needed. And it actually manages to get creamy (without getting sweet) on the drydown. A much softer iris scent, more focus on the blossom than the root, but one I'd recommend trying!
Notes for Orris Noir: Davana, Pink pepper, Cardamom, Iris, Coriander seed, Bergamot, Sambac absolut, Pimento berries, Bay cinnamon, Incense, Myrrh, Patchouli, Chinese Cedar, Saffron, Civet.
I got a sample by e-mailing the Ormande Jayne store in London (only place they sell, but they DO mail worldwide). Was very impressed with the packaging, too. I just got a sample, and they did it up with black grosgrain ribbon and the whole nine yards.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Scentsibility Those were my thoughts exactly - warm, dark, and sensual... So would you call it an anti-iris fragrance? That is, it uses the note, even highlights and worships it, but takes it in an opposite direction than what one would normally expect.

That sounds like Andy for sure! (That, and I have always wondered if Tauer was German for "TAR" )

The Profumum line can be had for about 35% less than Tauer Orris (on a per ml basis) since Orris is only sold in a tiny 30ml bottle. The exclusivity and rarity of a limited release like Orris appeals to me though. I won't be smelling this one on anyone else, and I do love it, so the cost is a moot point (within reason, of course).

P That's certainly how I would characterize his use of iris in this scent. It's sensual, and even sexy, compared to its usually cold and chilly effect. It also smells a lot like violets to me, and if I did not know this was an iris scent, I would have guessed it was a violet scent. He highlights different facets of the note than others seem to do.
With the comparison to Profumum, et al, I was thinking absolute dollar cost, but you're right, on a per mil basis, Orris is more. Still, even per mil can be deceptive; I usually think of cost as a per wearing cost, so that something that requires 5 sprays to be effective and last actually costs 5 times more per wearing than something that requires 1 spray to do the same.
Sorry for the aside...congrats on your purchase, glad to hear you got the bottle before they disappeared. BTW, that seems to happen a lot at Lucky Scent. It happened also with Tauer's L'Air; when folks here noted the bottling and price changes, the older, larger bottles disappeared in a flash. Again, congrats and enjoy!

Answer:
Originally Posted by robyogi BTW, that seems to happen a lot at Lucky Scent. It happened also with Tauer's L'Air; when folks here noted the bottling and price changes, the older, larger bottles disappeared in a flash. Again, congrats and enjoy! Heh, I was one of the lucky ones in that chaos as well - scored a 100ml for the old price. I guess I'm just lucky with Luckyscent! I have ordered two Tauers from them now (got my Orris sample with LDDM) and have been very pleased with them. I have noticed that they occasionally raise their prices without notice, rhyme, or reason, but I have attributed it to the falling dollar vs. the euro...

Thanks for all of the great posts. If I ever get the urge to try another iris, I have quite a list from which to choose!

Paul

Answer:
As I posted in the infamous thread, I respect the technical achievement of Tauer {spit!} in as much proportion as I disrespect his business methods. If L'Air is anything to go by, his others should be quite good as well. Orris does sound pretty good, although I will most certainly not be spending my money on it.

By the way, Dior Homme's Iris lasts almost 12 hours on me.

Answer:
You might want to check out Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist (ISM). Much like what Vetiver Extraordinaire did for vetiver, ISM accentuates a high quality iris note and takes it through subtle transformations (sweet -> earthy/rooty -> slightly powdery).
I dont consider Dior Homme a serious iris fragrance (really, its cocoa and amber strangling an iris note to death). Dont be put off by ISM because of Serge Lutens reputation for oriental bombs; this ones by the master perfumer Maurice Roucel, not the funky duo of Lutens-Sheldrake. Unfortunately its in the "exclusive" range, and not readily available in america.

Answer:
I am finally testing the sample of Tauer Orris (thank you, Paul) and would like to post some thoughts. My initial impression was that of wetness, almost a musty wetness, like being in the attic in the rain with the windows open and reading an old favorite book. You can smell the wet of the earth as the rain pounds down and feel the damp in the air. Not disagreeable, but not what I expected.
Nearly an hour later, the sillage is quite strong and has shifted to that of burning wood or incense. What comes to mind is a mild version of Norma Kamali's incense. If there are flowers in this, maybe it is violets with charred petals. Or crushed blue flowers mixed with sage that somebody set on fire.
I could see using this for clearing the energy of uninvited ghosts. Or clearing my head of unwanted memories. Or clearing my attic for a remodeling project which is exactly what I will be doing today!
Am I hooked, smitten or in love? Not yet, not immediately. Could this fragrance grow on me? I suspect so. I do think however, as a shared fragrance, I would place this more on the masculine side. It makes a strong statement. It has a strong presence. Definitely worth sampling.

Answer:
Paul may have sent me on a tangent of iris , who knows? But I am sampling this beauty, L'eau d'Italie's Sienne l'Hiver and find that it is a wet earthy iris intermingled with incense, giving one the impression of an outdoors church. Thought I would add it to this thread. It is simply wonderful, and has a less assertive sillage than Tauer's Orris, as well as a bit more of a soothing personality. I am adding it to my flower week lineup.
This is the description and notes from aedes. com:
"The Gothic elegance of Siena on a cold winter day is the inspiration for Sienne L'Hiver. The composition blends the scents of roasted chestnuts, incense from churches decorated for Christmas, and frost touched soil. The delicate verdancy of the top notes of violet leaf and geranium gives way to the alluring earthiness of iris. A hint of black olive and white truffle in the heart alludes to the region's edible treasures. The whispers of smoke in the woody base lend the same mystery to the composition that pervades the paintings of Sienese masters."

Answer:
I will just say it again - Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist is everything an iris scent can be. In my opinion, there is no better, more comprehensive and varied iris fragrance on earth. It encompasses all kinds of iris accords with subtle transparency and slick perfume notes flow. I used to be a fan of MPG Iris Bleu Gris, but I admit that Iris Silver Mist is clearly superior.