Fragrance Review: Speakeasy by Frapin

You approach the large door in the dimly lit alleyway, looking left and then right, making sure no one is following you. You knock the secret knock and wait for the slot to open. A pair of mysterious eyes greets you.

A rough Boston accent then asks, "Why did the stool-pigeoned dewdropper end up in a Chicago overcoat?" You look them straight in the eyes an answer "The ossified pushover was stuck on the Don's moll." The slot closes, the door opens, and you're setting foot in the fanciest Speakeasy in town. 

You descend the steps into a small but lively bar. The lights may be low, but the energy is high. Flapper girls, fancy cocktails, and the bassist spinning his upright. You know this is the place to be. This is Speakeasy by Frapin.

Who Is Behind It? 

Marc-Antoine Corticchiato has become a trailblazer in the fragrance community with his breakthroughs in research, analysis, and extraction of various types of plant compounds used in aromatherapy and fragrances. His work, which has been published in numerous scientific journals, can be viewed here.

His education, including his certification through the world-renowned Versailles International School of Perfumery (ISIPCA) in France, and love of fragrance led to the creation of his own company Parfum d'Empire, which has released 16 fragrances at the time this article was published.

Along with Frapin, he has also created fragrances for such houses as La Parfumerie Moderne and Vilhelm Parfumerie.

Frapin, Not Just A Fragrance House

If the name Frapin sounds familiar, it's because the family has been involved in the cognac business since 1270. For well over 20 generations, the Frapin family has continued the tradition of creating award-winning cognac from grapes cultivated in their 240-hectare vineyard in the Grande Champagne region of France.

The Frapin fragrance line was launched in 2002 and currently contains 19 fragrances as of publishing this article.

Note Breakdown: 

Marc-Antoine Corticchiato knew what he was doing when he envisioned what a speakeasy would smell like. Instead of going for a dark, dingy, smoke-filled hideaway, he went with an elegance that can only be found in the fanciest speakeasies catering to those who have wads of cash and no one who asks where they got it.

Speakeasy is an eau de parfum.

Top notes: Lime, orange, rum

Middle notes: Geranium, liatris, mint, mojito

Base notes: Amber, immortelle, labdanum, leather, styrax, tobacco, tonka bean, white musk

Packaging: 

Speakeasy arrives in a black cardboard box covered by a thin red cardboard sleeve with some detailing like the name of the fragrance and house. Once the red sleeve is removed, the black box opens revealing the fragrance nested inside and a small description about Frapin and its history.

Opening:

When you first spray Speakeasy, you are hit with a sweet, fizzy mint mixed with rum. It's like holding a freshly mixed Moscow Mule, garnished with an orange peel and lime wedge, to your nose. You can almost feel the carbonation tickling your nostrils.

Development: 

Once the opening starts to dissipate, the leather, tobacco, and tonka bean walk in. But instead of kicking in the door, they look around, nod at the bartender, and sit at their usual spot. While they may have bruised knuckles, they know they don't need to use them in this establishment. The tonka bean adds a sweet, almost nutty layer to the smooth leather and tobacco.

Drydown: 

As the fragrance begins to dry down, the tobacco emanates a bit more, almost enveloping you in deep pipe tobacco smoke. Combined with the amber, immortelle, labdanum, and styrax, the fragrance develops a sweet honey with a hint of vanilla balancing with the tobacco. The white musk is there as well but plays a supporting role in contrasting with the sweet honey, tobacco, and vanilla mix.

Performance:

With three spritzes of Speakeasy to my upper neck and chest, the scent radiated beyond an arm's length for about half an hour. After that it was an arm's-length scent for about five hours before subsiding to an elbow's-length scent. After that it became a skin scent, and by the next morning (about 12 hours later) it was almost completely gone.

When To Wear Speakeasy: 

Speakeasy is best suited for fall, winter, and spring weather. Although the opening is light, the mid and base notes change the overall profile of the fragrance. I wouldn't suggest wearing it in summer due to the resins in the base. It may come across as sticky or heavy in the hot air. 

This fragrance is best worn when you'd like to make a statement. It's something you'd wear for yourself, not for others. You'd wear Speakeasy on a day when you dress up in your best clothes to go check out some trendy spots around town and enjoy some nice cocktails. It would be too bold to wear to the office.

Who Is This Fragrance For? 

Speakeasy is best suited for someone in their 30s who has a bit of experience. Someone who can pull off the suit and tie and has closed a few deals. This wouldn't be suited for the office, but for the bar afterward when you can celebrate. 

The overall composition of this fragrance combines sweetness with booze, leather, and tobacco. It might not appeal to the younger crowd, but if you are younger and you are drawn to the notes and overall scent profile, give it a try.

Note: Speakeasy may be difficult for some people to wear. Depending on your body chemistry, it may smell foul once it begins to dry down. Spraying it on a tester strip will not yield the same result as spraying it on your skin. For this reason, I'd suggest getting a tester or finding it at a fragrance store and trying it on yourself first before committing to a full bottle.

Overall Thoughts On Speakeasy By Frapin:

The overall composition and blending of notes in Speakeasy makes it a unique olfactory experience. None of the notes are overpowering or seem out of place. Granted, it doesn't last as long as some other fragrances, but it can be a nice addition to your collection if you are looking for something unique and bold.

Interested In Other Fragrance Reviews? Check Out:

Liqueur BPM by L'Orchestre Parfum - Imagine walking into a fine cigar humidor with a cognac based cocktail in hand.

Don by Xerjoff - Smells like what you'd expect a mafia boss to smell like.

Fan Your Flames by Nishane - A coconut and rum based fragrance with spicy vanilla and woodsy base.

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