Created by : Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake
Date : 2007
Genre : Patchouli amber
Concentration : eau de toilette
After being addicted to Coriandre for a couple of weeks, I decided to try some diversion therapy and my magic closet did not disappoint. I remembered having worn and loving Coromandel so I gave the patchouli-centric marvel another try and it seduced me once again.
Now, you must know that I have two friends who wear straight up patchouli and I really don’t like it. I don’t know where they buy it and I haven’t asked them but it smells like some kind of headshop essential oil. A former friend used to mix it in with his shower gel so that it really reeked when he got close to me. Thankfully, we were only friends and our get-togethers were mostly restaurant affairs where he sat across the table from me so I could eat without the patchouli.
In contrast, Coromandel couldn’t be more beautiful. Its perfectly calibrated amber heart of vanilla, musk, benzoin and frankincense is topped off with a gorgeous patchouli veneer that stays fresh and interesting for several hours. There are moments at the beginning when the vanilla sings slightly out of tune but the patchouli seems to keep everything in check and the sweetness subsides almost as quickly as you notice it.
My eau de toilette lasts me all day long and I NEVER tire of it.
If you are looking for a bottle of Coromandel, Chanel has strangely retired all the eau de toilette concentrations of their Exclusifs line and are offering Coromandel only as an eau de parfum. I don’t know how much it has changed to the original, mine dates back to circa 2010, but it is certainly worth a try.
When Coco Chanel first saw a Chinese coromandel she thought she would “faint of happiness” and so she decorated her apartment above the 31 rue Cambon atelier with several coromandels. What a lovely way to live!
From Coco Chanel’s apartment.
The Perfume Chronicles 
Andrea
/ December 11, 2017If the smell matches the photo’s gorgeous image then it must be glorious!
Normand Cardella
/ December 11, 2017It’s classy AND glorious.
Undina
/ December 11, 2017I love Coromandel EdT but I was afraid to try the new EdP formulation: I’m almost sure they butchered it – at least a little – so I do not want to be disappointed before my EdT is gone, and I have to face the change.
Normand Cardella
/ December 11, 2017I know EXACTLY how you feel! I’ll definitely give it a test during the holidays. I must say I am curious but not hopeful.
Thanks for the comment!
FiveoaksBouquet
/ December 14, 2017The scent really exemplifies the deep richness of the Coromandel screens and the name suits the perfume perfectly. I don’t know how the change to edp has affected the scent but the eau de toilette was already very potent and it’s hard to imagine a stronger concentration. A little Coromandel goes a long way!
Normand Cardella
/ December 14, 2017I know! After wearing Coromandel for a week I had to go back and check my concentration. Hard to believe that it was an edt.
Thanks for the comment.