Our take
What does Cuir Ottoman smell like?
Marc-Antoine Corticchiato, founder of Parfum d'Empire, composed Cuir Ottoman in 2006. He had Anatolian leatherwork in mind. According to the house, iris was once used to scent and soften fine hides. So iris opens the perfume, with Egyptian jasmine. Leather comes next, gentler than you might expect. Benzoin, styrax and labdanum make it ambery and slightly smoky. It suggests a new handbag rather than a saddle. The base rounds out with incense, tonka and a little vanilla. After an hour the tonka brings a hint of hookah tobacco. Everything stays muted, close to suede. Next to Chanel's far more animalic Cuir de Russie, Cuir Ottoman seems almost polite. The leather is polished and effortless to wear. It is also one of the easiest perfumes in the house's range, and a good first step into it.
When to wear it
A cold weather leather, quiet enough for the office. Two sprays on skin last the whole day.
It belongs to the Leather family. Cuir Ottoman is one of 7 creations by Parfum d'Empire in our encyclopedia.
