Pure Distance I Review: The Perfume of Princesses

I have found my soulmate (apologies to my husband on that one!)
It is rare for a scent to live up to it's reputation and equally rare for a limited edition, exclusive perfume to live up to it's price tag yet in Pure Distance I a bottle of liquid gold has found me that does just that.

Pure Distance I comes from the historic and achingly beautiful streets of Vienna and is one of the world's most exclusive and sophisticated scents.
For a long time the reigning champion of the world's most exclusive perfume throne has been the very high end and expensive Clive Christian No 1. In Pure Distance I we have found a worthy rival.

The exclusivity and price are where the favourable comparisons end however.

Whilst Clive Christian No 1 is the brash, shiny, jewel encrusted, bling of perfumes with fans such as the flamboyant Elton John, Pure Distance is the ageless, timeless classic which conjours up images of Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Lauren and Princess Grace of Monacco.


Where Clive Christian No 1 is the perfume of spandex and sparkles, Pure Distance I is the delicate but enigmatic trace of antique lace and pure white cashmere.

While Clive Christian No 1 is made from rare non sustainable sources meaning that if you do find your ideal scent you will be unlikely to replace it exactly once your bottle is finished, Pure Distance I is a careful, thoughtful blend of Mediterranean essences which aim to be, not just a passing phase, but a classic which can be worn forever to evoke memories and leave a ghostly, romantic trace of you in the memory of everyone you meet.


Wheras Clive Christian No 1 arrives in the overly contrived Baccarat crystal bottle with a five-carat diamond and an 18-carat gold collar (or the Elton John diamond encrusted piano shaped bottle), Pure Distance I lives up to it's reputation and concept with a simple, elegant yet intricately built Swarovski crystal column with either a high quality steel or 24k gold detailing. The refill is a pure, rounded, beautiful vial of scent presented in a white leather box which opens to reveal plush white satin and a certificate of authenticity.

As you may have guessed I am a fan of Pure Distance I and will remain loyal to it until the day I die.

So what does Pure Distance I actually smell like? Let me start with my interpretation of this celestial golden dew before I get into the nitty gritty of notes.

The first spray delivers a refreshing, citrussy, cologne scent which is all at once masculine and feminine inspiring the excitement in your olfactory senses of the mingling of a man and woman's scents at the start of a torrid love affair.

This soon fades to reveal an exotic, warm wintery neroli bringing forth feelings of being wrapped in a delicate pashmina in front of a winter log fire.

This seasonal touch lasts only a moment before the romantic, powdery florals come to the fore bringing visions of sitting on a balcony overlooking a Parisian courtyard or an Italian rose garden as a wealth of flowers entwine around the wrought iron balcony railings and a delicate breeze blows into the perfect room behind you.

The final base notes (which are still present at the end of a 12 hour day - believe me!) are so subtle and divine that they could almost be mistaken as your natural scent. Almost! If you were a Greek Goddess or Celestial being.

I may have waxed lyrical here but have you ever known me to be so inspired by a scent before?

It manages to all at once be sensual and whisper of secret liaisons whilst simultaneously being pure and innocent with powdery baby's head undertones.

It elegantly blends citrus with florals with musks so divinely that you struggle to identify which perfume family it fits into. It is quite simply an enigma.

If you have seen the movie "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" and wondered what the scent at the end of the movie smells like (a scent so heavenly that an angry mob decide not to hang the murderer but to forgive him his sins and lapse into an orgy) then this is it!


So down to business. Here are the elements which make up the fragrance:

Top notes: a fresh, ozone-tangerine blossom blend with a hint of cassis, complemented with neroli bigarade and crisp watery nuances

Heart notes: a sophisticated, modern blend of magnolia, rose wardia & jasmine; parmenthia & natural mimosa

Base notes: rich classical notes of sweet amber, vetiver and white musk

The suggested retail price of the ‘Crystal & Gold’ Limited Edition Edition (Swarovski crystal and 24k gold) including the perfume spray is 2.750 euro ($3466), the ‘Crystal & Steel’ Limited Edition (Swarovski crystal and high grade steel) including the perfume spray is 1.750 euro ($2206).

The 17.5 ml. perfume refill spray is priced at 165 euro ($208). For $94.95 you can even buy a hard cover book dedicated to the story of the scent.

To read more about the history and facts behind Pure Distance I check out my article on Suite 101.
To buy Pure Distance I and see further reviews visit the Pure Distance website.

With Mothering Sunday approaching I will also soon be reviewing Pure Distance I on my parenting websites Baby NuNu and Mummy Loves to Shop as the most desired luxury gift for mothers of any age.