I normally amplify patchouli, which I love, but this fragrance immediately smelled like strong coffee on me, albeit sexy coffee. I didn't get any patchouli at all, in the bottle or on my skin, but there was a smokiness to the coffee scent that may have been the effect of the patchouli on the mocha & hazelnut. A bit more gourmand that I usually wear, but I think this might layer really well with rose!

At the front end, I get a gourmand sense from this one - the hazelnut mocha and almond pignolis being at the forefront for me, but I tend to amp any coffee notes. As it dries some, I get the sensation of warmed Merlot coming through and can smell the patchouli if I really try, it's that subtle. The longer it wears, the more the mocha fades and the black patchouli and merlot come through, but it never loses the warmth that was there from the beginning. For me, this feels like cozying up in an overstuffed armchair with a mocha and pignoli on a lazy afternoon. Beautiful.

I've been a huge fan of Nui Cobalt Designs for years. The first fragrance that really grabbed me was called Venus Exalted. It had a subtle mocha... maybe some wine? I remember always wanting to wear it because it made me happy. That scent retired a long time ago but I've been looking for something similar ever since. Every month, I scan the list of new fragrances, looking for a mocha / cacao / rose / vanilla or sandalwood somewhere in the mix. I found a similar fragrance with Instant Chemistry. It's such a gorgeous fragrance. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.