Rumba

Rumba, a women's fragrance from the French house Ted Lapidus composed by Jean-Claude Ellena in 1989, is described by wearers as a floral first, a gourmand for most, and woody for about a third, with musky, aromatic and amber touches noticed by a few. It belongs to the big, opulent style of the late eighties.

The notes are listed without a pyramid and there are a great many of them, so only the main threads are worth drawing out. Ripe fruit such as peach and plum gives it a jammy sweetness, which honey and vanilla deepen into the gourmand impression. The floral core is heavy and white, with tuberose and jasmine alongside rose. Underneath, leather and oakmoss add a dark, slightly smoky earthiness, and sandalwood rounds it off with a warm, creamy finish.

Judged by its notes, it is a rich scent best suited to cooler weather and evenings, and to wearers who enjoy fruit and flowers with a leathery, mossy depth rather than a light, fresh floral.

Rumba — for women fragrance by Ted Lapidus (released 1989). Notes: Ambergris, Basil, Bergamot, Carnation, Cedar, French Marigold, Gardenia, Heliotrope, Honey, Jasmine, Leather, Lily-of-the-Valley, Magnolia, Marigold, Mirabelle, Musk, Oakmoss, Orange Blossom, Orchid, Patchouli, Peach, Plum, Raspberry, Rose, Sandalwood, Styrax, Tonka Bean, Tuberose, Vanilla. — Parfica open fragrance database