I kvetch about this constantly but nothing makes my heart sink more than opening an envelope and having a bunch of samples tumble out. Once the number gets higher than four or five the weariness descends. Right after the New Year I received an envelope containing the eight new releases from Rituals. It was too early in the year for me to just pass over them. Especially since in the previous releases No. 19 Sandalwood & Patchouli is one of my favorite compositions by perfumer Fabrice Pelligrin. There is quality to be found within the deluge. This was the case with these eight new releases as Fleurs De L’Himalaya stood out.
Elise Benat
One of the reasons Fleurs De L’Himalaya captured my attention was because perfumer Elise Benat used some of the most recognizable synthetic aromachemicals and from them fashioned a fantastic tableau matching the name on the bottle. This overall collection from Rituals is meant to capture an Eastern aesthetic. When it is at its best it does this effortlessly. Fleurs De L’Himalaya is undeniably Eastern as it is inspired by the Valley of Flowers in the Himalayas. Imagine a field of flowers growing surrounded by some of the grandest peaks in the world. There is something transformative about one’s senses at high altitude. Vision seems sharper, hearing more keen, tastes are cleaner, and smells have a preternatural effect. I have never been to this part of the world but I have been in a field of flowers at high altitude. In Fleurs De L’Himalaya, Mme Bernat captures what a patch of jasmine might smell like way up there.
Fleurs De L’Himalaya opens with a clear blue sky of sparkling lemon. It is joined by a gentle green tea note sweetened with a peach. The first synthetic Mme Benat employs is Calone. This is not the Calone of thousands of marine fragrances. Here Mme Benat uses it as the stiff breeze that has traversed the snowpack to reach the valley. This is a case where all of the clean ozonic qualities of Calone are displayed beautifully. On that breeze comes jasmine deepened with peony. The peony replaces the natural depth indoles would provide. It is a clean form of jasmine which is then lifted by Hedione until it fills the entire metaphorical valley. In the base the massive mountains are represented by an accord of Norlimbanol, Ambrox, and patchouli. It is woody to be sure but the patchouli provides a grounded quality which pulls your senses up to the top of the surrounding massifs.
Fleurs De L’Himalaya has 8-10 hour longevity and average sillage.
Mme Benat has crafted an outstanding scentscape in Fleurs De L’Himalaya. Let it take you away to a field of jasmine at the Roof of the World.
Disclosure: This review was based on a sample provided by Rituals.
–Mark Behnke
