Paname Keiko Mecheri

Source: Fragrantica

I was interested in procuring a sample if not a bottle of Douce Amere from Serge Lutens as it is another polarizing scent from this house whose online reviews make for good reading. I got a sample of Paname as it is supposed to closely resemble the hard-to-find-if-not-impossible Douce Amere. 

According to Wikipedia, Paname is a nickname given by Parisians to their city and in the book "I remember Paris" by journalist and historian Claude Dubois who writes about his childhood memories of Paname, the origin of the nickname has contributions from the Panama hat that was a fashion trend in the city, the hat itself having been worn by workers building the Panama canal and possibly having links with the Panama Affair which is regarded as the largest corruption scandal of the 19th century.

" ...Paname...la ville du chatoiement, des illusions et des désillusions..."

Sweet and interesting. Upon application the smell immediately reminded me of black licorice, something I prefer smelling than eating with its distinct herbal and spicy sweetness like the spiciness of cardamom seeds or anise. The licorice smell is more herbal than in Lolita Lempicka which is much, much sweeter than this scent. Paname is invigorating and aromatic like a bottled walk in a conifer forest, I can imagine it being sold as an aromatherapy potion labelled "Vitality". The balance between herbal and sweetness shifts more towards the latter in the drydown when a creamy vanilla note shows up and the scent is deepened with musk and wood notes. My only gripe with Paname is that it disappears far too quickly, I barely smell anything left after two hours. Full marks for its refreshing individuality but it lags behind in the sillage and longevity departments.