Pencil Pusher: Wonderwood by Comme des Garçons

By Tom This past Saturday ScentBar had a little gathering to try three new Amouage scents that will be out in August. I came, I smelled, I went to LAX to pick up the godchild. As I've reacted to all of this line so far, I like them- they're obviously made of quality ingredients. If the prices were about 30% less I'd most likely sing the praises. But $325 for 100ML of a lesser concentration makes me say "Tennis, anyone?" I suppose if I was in a higher income bracket (or just was not cheap) I'd feel differently. What was there that caught my fancy was the new Comme des Garçons, called Wonderwood. It's written of as "wood gone wild". I'm not sure that "wild" is the word for it, but it's certainly "all wood, all the time". It's guaiac, cedar, and sandalwood with just enough incense to put a toasted burn on it. It has a touch of Faber No. 2 to it, but then you wouldn't expect a Comme des Garçons to be delivered without a definite wink, would you? Luckily the peppery bergamot in the opening and the cashmeran and oud in the drydown make that wink a decidedly sly one. Best part? $95 for 50ML and $125 for 100 At places that sell CdeG. I asked for a sample at ScentBar.