There's a new Bandit in town...

Perfume is one of my favorite things—like ever. I devour books about the art of perfumery, binge-watch documentaries and subscribe to several sampling services so I can discover niche scents that I would never find at a department store. I also have a soft spot for classics like Chanel No. 5, Guerlain’s Shalimar and Robert Piguet’s Fracas (and literally have a list of every perfume I’ve ever worn, starting with Jean Naté in elementary school). My obsession would bankrupt me if I let it, but at least I’d be the best-smelling homeless person around.

When I got an invite to the virtual launch of Robert Piguet’s Bandit Supreme, I immediately rescheduled a doctor’s appointment so I could be available. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to “meet” Robert Piguet’s master perfumer Aurélien Guichard—and a quick search revealed that he’s also the “nose” behind two colognes I’ve purchased for my husband (Robert Piguet’s Bois Noir and Zadig & Voltaire) as well as too many long-running designer fragrances you’ve definitely heard of to list here.

Naturally Guichard wanted to preserve the essence of Bandit, which was first introduced in 1944—but we can all use a “facelift” at some point, n’est ce pas? Bandit Supreme features all the white floral, woody and leathery notes both women and men have come to love, yet Guichard gave it a fresh, modern spin. For example, he “bent” the ylang ylang, upped the neroli (and used a new one from Tunisia), added ambroxan (one of my faves), reworked the patchouli, combined the existing musk with a new version and added rose oil to the existing rose absolute for more “petal.” Ooh, la la.

I’ve been hiding my bottle in my office since I know my husband or son (who’s now very into cologne) will totally steal it if I leave it on my perfume tray. Every time I look at it, I can’t resist saying Bandit Supreme in my best (yet still awful) French accent—which gives me almost as much pleasure as the decadent scent itself. If you’re into perfume, too, this a must for your fragrance wardrobe—and if you’re new to Robert Piguet, check out the Discovery Set to get familiar with the house’s most iconic offerings.