Patchouli By Murdock (2010) is a new, shiny, dusty patchouli fragrance with a bit of dandy flair thrown in for good measure provided a proper barbershop cologne treatment. Due to the prominent relationship between citrus, geranium, and patchouli, some may equate it with Terre d’Hermes (2006), but I assure you that this is a distinct fragrance where it counts. Murdock Patchouli plays a similar tune to JB by Jack Black (2010), infusing black pepper at the top of the fragrance to really bring out the vivid facets of the geranium heart, it only ends up closer to the aforementioned Terre d’Hermes in dry patchouli rather than ending in a smear of synthetic wood notes such as the Jack Black. Despite the complex note pyramid mentioned, the emphasis here is still on patchouli, but Murdock has eased us into the note instead of building it up with animals or vanilla to smash your head in something like Givenchy Gentleman (1974) and Giorgio Beverly Hills for Men (1984)
Patchouli by Murdock Note
The opening is bergamot, petitgrain, and black pepper. To deliver a spicy dustiness that lingers in the dry down, cardamom and nutmeg join. After only a few minutes, the geranium comes into action vividly, polishing up nicely with a bit of hedione and just a speck of clean rose. Despite being listed, there is no ylang-ylang in my nose, but after about 30 minutes, the patchouli makes its way into the shot, leaving a three-way between the pepper, geranium, and that patchouli that is closest to Terre d’Hermes in general effect.
As the aroma gets closer to the skin, the pepper dies down, and Murdock Patchouli becomes more geranium from there, then mostly geranium-touched patchouli, with some late-stage incense and amber fire. As in JB or Terre, there is no industrial-sized dose of Iso E Super here, so no chance of going anosmic to Patchouli By Murdock, but not a radioactive projection field either, and this is still a cologne, so wear period won’t go much longer than 6 hours. Murdock Patchouli will see you right on a relaxed day at home or the office, perfectly dandy in tone thanks to the florals, and perfectly barbershop in durability.
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My only bit of criticism is paying $115US for a cologne bottle of cologne results, while either JB by Jack Black or Terre d’Hermes pound-for-pound has better value, even though the former focuses on other notes such as eucalyptus, while the latter has the flint/mineral elements that set it apart. I think if you’re the type of guy who shops at Nordstrom or other high-end stores that carry Murdock goods, then this price point does not seem excessive, particularly if you frequent the goods of the niche or luxury men that tend to be carried there, I’m just talking from the strictly “ordinary Joe” point of view. I don’t know who this brand’s nose is, but they definitely have their head here in the right spot, as there are clearly not enough patchouli fragrances that veer away from the thicker, oilier elements of the plant that appear to concentrate on perfumes that bring it at the core of a composition. This should be very easy to test and if you can’t, there is also a sample size to buy.
