Today I am wearing the latest release from Ormonde Jayne, Isfahan. Isfahan is named for the historical Iranian city, once the capital of the Persian Empire; the picture to the right shows Isfahan's famous Khaju bridge, constructed in 1650. Isfahan is designated as a men's fragrance, and the notes include pink pepper, lime oil, bergamot, jasmine, moss, and cedar. (Update 12/05: this fragrance has now been renamed Isfarkand)

Before I start raving about Isfahan, I will point out by way of a disclaimer that I adore the Ormonde Jayne line. There are other perfume houses with fragrances that I like as well as the Ormonde Jaynes, but I cannot think of any other line where I like such a high percentage of the fragrances. Of the 8 scents that preceded Isfahan, there are 4 that I number among my very favorite perfumes, and 3 more that I would wear happily if I had a bottle.

Isfahan starts with citrus notes, very heavy on the lime, and lots of pink pepper. As with Ta'if, it smells very sheer after the top notes evaporate, but it deepens over the next hour, eventually drying down to a peppery blend of moss and light woods. The jasmine is muted, and there is a lovely hint of vetiver. It has what I think of as the signature Ormonde Jayne touch: it smells very dense and rich, but not at all heavy.

The notes in Isfahan are perhaps not as unusual as in some of the other Ormonde Jaynes, but it is just beautifully done, and as it happens, the notes include many of my favorites. The lasting power is excellent.

I would hesitate to call it a unisex fragrance, as it probably tips the scales towards masculine, but I will certainly be wearing it this summer. I had been planning to purchase Ta'if soon, but this will have to come first, and I will have to find a good hiding place for it as I made the mistake of letting my husband try it as well.

For buying information, see the listing for Ormonde Jayne under Perfume Houses.

I will not be posting this weekend, hope to see you Monday!