Olfactive Studio
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The iris aldehyde strikes first—clean, almost astringent—whilst the cardamom crackles alongside with peppery spice, the blackcurrant bud adding a tart, slightly green-leafy sharpness that feels almost herbal. This is pure, unadorned spice and floral brightness, aggressive enough to make you question whether you've made the right choice.
The orris concrete blooms into something genuinely powdery and complex, the almond emerging to add a creamy, almost nougat-like softness that tempers the earlier spiciness. The carrot seed roots everything with an earthy, slightly root-vegetable warmth, creating a composition that feels grounded, almost medicinal in its clarity—iris powder suspended in creamy, green-tinged spice.
Ambroxan and Virginia cedar establish a pale, woody base whilst the Haitian vetiver adds a smoky, slightly animalic undertone that prevents the fragrance from becoming too abstract. The powdery iris remains the dominant force, now softened into something more conventionally beautiful, though the woody base keeps it tethered to reality—a gentle fade into refined woodsmoke and pale iris dust.
Iris Shot announces itself as a radical departure from the floral powders it superficially resembles. Rather than the soft, talcum-adjacent iris that dominates most contemporary fragrances, Dominique Ropion constructs something altogether more confrontational—a iris aldehyde that bristles with sharp, almost metallic edges before the supporting cast softens its assault. The Guatemala cardamom enters immediately, its warm spice cutting through with a peppery bite that feels almost savoury, amplified by the blackcurrant bud absolute, which lends a tart, slightly fermented character rather than fruity sweetness. This opening salvo is genuinely uncomfortable in the best way: it makes you sit up and pay attention.
What emerges as the composition settles is the real sophistication. The orris concrete—that powdery, rooty expression of iris root rather than its flower—begins a quiet conversation with almond, creating an almost marzipan-like sweetness that feels creamy without being gourmand. The French carrot seed adds an earthy, slightly green dimension that prevents the powdery accords from becoming cloying. This is where the fragrance reveals its true character: intellectual rather than sensual, precise rather than seductive.
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3.5/5 (161)