Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Gourmand accords rarely make an appearance in Roja Dove's fragrances, but when they do, they instantly capture the attention of the perfume community. Such is the case with the new fragrance in the Pierre de Velay collection, Chou Chou.

Pierre de Velay is a special line by the highly respected perfumer Roja Dove. According to the brand's story, he discovered a small book of perfume formulas at a street market in the South of France, inscribed with the name Pierre de Velay. Unable to uncover any information about these mysterious fragrances, he used them as the inspiration for a collection he believed should be shared with the world. Thus, this line was named after the enigmatic Pierre de Velay.

The newest addition to this exclusive collection is Chou Chou, an unexpected treat. Usually, the fragrances of Pierre de Velay focus on florals and fruity accords, with only a few hints at the gourmand fragrance family, usually through subtle notes of vanilla and/or benzoin. However, Chou Chou is a gourmand lover’s fantasy come true.

I don’t mean to sound overly enthusiastic, but the first time I tested it, it made me weak at the knees—this is a fragrance I had been dreaming of without even knowing it. It opens with a fresh, citrusy blast, where orange takes center stage. This citrus note lingers throughout its wear on my skin, masterfully blended with vanilla, milk chocolate, coffee, caramel, and candy floss. At times, it reminds me of Terry's Chocolate Orange, so much so that I can almost taste it. It's utterly delightful!

But the scented journey doesn't stop there. Chou Chou is not an ordinary gourmand that can sometimes become recklessly, teeth-achingly sweet. Instead, it evolves into an alluring woody direction. The sweetness is tempered by oakwood, dry woods, moss, and ambery accords. With a touch of musk, the scent becomes more sensual and equally pleasing.

I would call it a gourmand for grown-ups. It's sweet and delicious, yet sophisticated and seductive—a quality inseparable from the creations of Roja Dove.

Having tried almost everything from the Pierre de Velay, Semi Bespoke, and Roja Parfums lines, nothing quite like Chou Chou comes to mind. There were a few powdery cocoa based fragrances in the now discontinued D'Amore collection, and there is Sweetie Aoud, a beautiful fragrance with a patisserie accord, despite the absence of gourmand notes in the official list. However, even this lovely scent doesn’t match the heart-melting delight of Chou Chou.

To me, as a gourmand lover, this fragrance is everything I expected from reading the notes list and even more. If not for the hefty price of £495, it would be in my collection by yesterday.

[Gifted sample, opinions my own, as always]