FRAGRANCE | Kimonanthe EDP by Diptyque: A sweet, fruity-floral delight

I first came across Diptyque's Kimonanthe at their shop in Rockwell, Makati a few months ago. The bottle was different from what I'm accustomed to seeing at Diptyque counters. It was a boutique exclusive, I was told by the SA, along with Benjoin Bohème, Ôponé, and a slew of other goodies that apparently are part of the house's La Collection 34. Choosing which bottle to get was hard but we went home with Kimonanthe first.

Apart from the bottle, the presentation is also a departure from the brand's usual white box. This one comes in a pouch nestled inside an oval box with a predominantly orange geometric pattern. The pouch comes in handy if you want to bring the bottle with you. It also is priced higher than Diptyque's usual offerings.

Kimonanthe has an intoxicating, sweet floral opening—osmanthus supposedly, although I haven't smelled that flower, so I have no idea. I also get some faint whiffs of soft leather, along with a camphorous accord that comes and goes. Together with whatever else is there in the background, they help balance the scent.

An easily distinguishable apricot comes in several minutes later. It's sweet but with a beautifully sour dimension to it. There's something about the sourness that I like, which isn't really bothersome to begin with. I find it to be a well-balanced sweet and sour combo, which works very well with the floral note. After this there's not much left to look forward to in terms of development, other than the softening of its overall sweet and sour floral-fruity profile perhaps, until it becomes a skin scent.

Kimonanthe performs quite well. While projection is generally modest, it lasts. I still get occasional whiffs of it by day's end, which I always welcome. Despite the sweetness, I think it can be worn all year round unless maybe when it's really, really hot and humid. Its price point may be a drawback for most people but it's well worth a try.