Estee Lauder Aramis Calligraphy Rose (2013)-Review + Modern Middle Eastern Rose Draw

"Letters are symbols, which turn matter into spirit." –  Alphonse de Lamartine

Estée Lauder Aramis Calligraphy,  Aramis Calligraphy Rose and  Aramis Calligraphy Saffron. Photo: Gail

Calligraphy, the stylized word or text, is an ancient art form expressing the spirit latent in the word. Just so, the perfumes of the Aramis Calligraphy series, Calligraphy, Calligraphy Rose and Calligraphy Saffron, are stylized versions of classical middle-eastern perfumes; contemporary interpretations that breath new life into old and revered forms.

Tarek Atrissi

Choosing just one of the Aramis Calligraphy series to review was a difficult decision. The heavy glass bottles of each Eau de Parfum are adorned with the stunning graphics of award winning Lebanese artist and Arabic Typography expert Tarek Atrissi. Atrissi's designs for Estee Lauder, the parent company of Aramis, express the elegant soul of the Calligraphy line. Trudi Loren, Executive Vice President of Corporate Fragrance Development for Estee Lauder Companies, conceived and developed the three Calligraphy fragrances. I love all three perfumes in the series, but today I will review Aramis Calligraphy Rose.

Baya Mahieddine

Aramis Calligraphy Rose opens with an initial breath, at once sweet, green and resinous. Before I have a chance to pin it down, the fragrance instantly morphs into a thick and humid confection of honeysuckle and rose.  From the very beginning I leave the Middle Eastern references behind as I find myself singing the words and humming the tune "Honeysuckle Rose", written by the early 20th century American jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller.

"…When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips, Seems the honey fairly drips,You're confection, goodness knows,Honeysuckle Rose…” – from the song "Honeysuckle Rose", music by Fats Waller, lyrics by Andy Razaf.

Via blacktime travel Nell Carter

What a combination! I imagine a syrupy Turkish Rose in love with the honeysuckle voice of one of Fats Waller's most endearing exponents, the Broadway singer and actress Nell Carter. Aramis Calligraphy Rose, a seductive Turkish/American delight, becomes thicker and richer as the dark and velvety heart, colored with saffron, takes center stage. After about an hour this jammy rose turns toward the masculine. A dry and mysterious effect of green herbs, lavender and incense, a wind off the desert so to speak, makes it clear that despite the honeysuckle, the sweet resinous styrax, ambergris and the rosy suffusion from top to bottom, Calligraphy Rose was designed as a unisex fragrance. After about ten hours Aramis Calligraphy Rose dries down to a wisp of ambergris, lasting in total about twelve hours on my skin and forever on clothing.

Ali altajer painter

This hypnotic Rose fragrance is probably the boldest of the three Eau de Parfums in the Calligraphy series. But as outspoken as she is, Aramis Calligraphy Rose still manages to retain a stylized Middle Eastern elegance, at once dark and luminous, sultry and energetic, joyous and melancholy.

via Tumblr

"There comes a holy and transparent time when every touch of beauty opens the heart to tears…this is the time of the opening of the Rose." – Rumi

Notes: Honeysuckle, saffron, oregano, Turkish rose absolute, myrrh, styrax, French lavender, labdanum, musk, ambergris and olibanum.

Disclaimer: I purchased Aramis Calligraphy, Calligraphy Rose and Calligraphy Saffron for my own collection.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Art Direction – Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Gail's bottle of Aramis Calligraphy Rose

Thanks to The Perfumed Court we have a 5ml glass spray bottle of Aramis Calligraphy Rose for a registered reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Gail’s Review of Aramis Calligraphy Rose, where you live and if you are a fan of Middle Eastern style rose perfumes. Draw closes 4/10/208

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

× 4 = 16

25 comments

  • Rae Lynn says:

    From the honeysuckle and rose to the “wisp of ambergris”, this sounds like my cup of tea! I love most anything rose, and would love to try this one. I live in the US.

  • Alen says:

    I’ve always wanted to test this gem. I love the notes and i love this beautiful bottle. Thanks for this great review and draw, i live in the EU.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    I’ve always wanted to try the Calligraphy line. Too bad I’m not able to find them locally anymore.
    Calligraphy Rose sounds lovely with the combination of the syrupy Turkish Rose and honeysuckle.
    Thank you Gail for sharing your opinion about it.
    Thank you for the draw.
    I live in the EU.

  • JHX says:

    I’m like bumbuliuki! I’ve always wanted to try Calligraphy Rose but it’s not easy to find. Have they discontinued this already? Thanks for the chance! A dark resinous rose is just what I expect it to be.

    Thank you! I live in France.

  • Yasmina says:

    I love all this amazing coverage of Arab inspired fragrance. Tarek’s Art is beautiful. I love heavy jammy roses and in this gorgeous bottle who can resist. I live in the US.

  • Teena says:

    I never knew these existed and they probably sadly discontinued., I love the entire description and art used
    USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    “I imagine a syrupy Turkish Rose in love with the honeysuckle voice of one of Fats Waller’s most endearing exponents, the Broadway singer and actress Nell Carter. ” Rose and honeysuckle…yummy. Love the art work. I’ve never tried this, but it sounds divine. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • George Lellis says:

    I find the international and cross-cultural aspects of this review most interesting. I am curious about how this works as a unisex fragrance, I live in the US.

  • Old Herbaceous says:

    No need to enter me in the draw, I already have and love Calligraphy Rose! One of the first rose scents I tried beyond more mainstream Western roses. It is a beauty!

  • Andie Paige says:

    I love rose scents! The review was well written and loved the incorporation of the lyrics to “Honeysuckle Rose” as well as the descriptive note breakdown. I have only recently begun to embrace rose scents and would love to try this one! I am in the USA

  • jeremyn87 says:

    Seeing honeysuckle, rose, Turkish delight, and ambergris used to describe a frag makes me want to try it.
    I love Middle-Eastern scents, especially rose based ones.

  • Hasib says:

    Been wanting to try this out for a while now. I like the notes and presentation as well. Calligraphy is a beautiful thing. Thanks for the opportunity. California

  • KWMonty says:

    A great description of this excellent fragrance. I had the chance to try it about 6 months ago and it impressed me a lot. I reside in Canada.

  • esz says:

    I have heard so much about this fragrance – it would be fantastic to smell it. And I am such a (new) big rose fan.

    I am in Melbourne Australia

  • doveskylark says:

    Gail’s review made me remember watching Nell Carter’s TV show “Gimme a Break” when I was a kid in the ’80s. She was a great performer. I also like Lena Horne’s version of “Honeysuckle Rose.” I love the calligraphy on the bottles of this line and it is wonderful to discover the source from this review. I love all rose scents and would like to try a Middle Eastern one.
    I live in the USA.

  • Diana D says:

    I love this description “Aramis Calligraphy Rose still manages to retain a stylized Middle Eastern elegance, at once dark and luminous, sultry and energetic, joyous and melancholy.”. I love rose fragrances, especially when they are rich and sensuous.
    I live in the US.

  • Catanosmia says:

    I’m not familiar with Middle Eastern rose scents but this one sounds stunning. Honeysuckle is one of my favorite scents in the world, so that alone has me curious. Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US.

  • lilyd says:

    I have a few fragrances that contain rose, but I’m still learning how versatile they can be. I am inclined to a more aggressive mysterious rose, so the Calligraphy Saffron sounds really intriguing to me. But it’s interesting that rose can also portray a fresh clean frag just as easily. Thanks for the review, I’m in Canada. 🙂

  • pljaskin says:

    I like your article. Thanks for describing the fragrance. really want to try Calligraphy.
    I from Ukraine

  • Fifi says:

    I love rose perfumes and would love to experience this one! Thank you for the great review. I live in EU.

  • audesko1 says:

    Rose is my favorite scent. Especially mixed with other ingredients. This perfume sounds wonderful. I would love to try a Middle Eastern scent. Don’t think I have. Thank you for a chance. Loved the graphics in the article. I love in the US.

  • LoriK says:

    I love rose scents. I own calligraphy saffron and have has this scent on my radar for awhile.i enjoy middle eastern rose scents, i reside in the US.

  • Richard Potter says:

    I love it but have been neglecting it. You have inspired me to wear it tomorrow.