Fragrance Review: Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes ‘14°S 48°E’ by Vero Kern + Longitude and Latitude Draw

Fofa RABEARIVELO (Christophe Jean Michel)

Malagasy artist Christophe Jean Michel is better known under the alias of Fofa Rabearivelo (no relation to the poet Jean-Joseph)

‘Make no sound, do not speak: eyes, heart mind dreams are about to explore a forest…A secret but tangible forest.’ Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo, Madagascan poet, 1901-1937

CaFleureBon 14°S 48°E’ by Richard Lüscher Britos & Vero Kern

‘14°S 48°E’ by Vero Kern

If you use the co-ordinates in the title of this captivating perfume, you will find yourself located in the north-eastern part of Madagascar, near Ambanja: vanilla and ylang-ylang country.

Malvin Richard, Lukas Lüscher and Serena Britos of Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes

Photo Courtesy Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes: Malvin Richard, Lukas Lüscher and Serena Britos of Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes

Malvin Richard, Lukas Lüscher and Serena Britos launched Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes in 2013. Malvin and Lukas are long-time friends who share a mutual passion for the marketing and minutiae of fragrance. Malvin’s father is Jean-Claude Richard a well known perfumer, so he has been exposed to the world of olfaction from an early age. Serena Britos is an expert in ethnobotany, a science that aims to explore the complex and vital relationships between man, cultures and fauna. Her knowledge and experiences were essential to the idea of creating niche perfumery using only natural raw materials inspired by the concept of terroir.

richard luscher britos natural perfumes

Terroir (‘land’ in French.) is a term more commonly associated with viniculture referring to a specific set of environmental conditions – soil, climate, geography etc – that impact on the taste and finish of the wine. Richard Lüscher Britos have endeavoured to map the key olfactory influences and traits within specially chosen fragrance terroirs across the globe. These include 04°N 74°W : Canton of Valais in Switzerland, 14°S 48°E’: Ambanja in north-eastern Madagascar, 44°N 03°E: Causse Méjean in Southern France,  04°N 74°W: the coffee plantations of Columbia and 38°N 16°E Calabria in southern Italy.

Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes madagascar‘14°S 48°E’

 ‘14°S 48°E’ Illustration Courtesy of Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes

14˚S 48˚E is Vero’s elegant fiction of Madagascar, lush with rain and steaming soil, skies exploding with water on the crops of cocoa, rice, pepper, coffee and vanilla in the fields below. Vero’s olfactive manifestation of this fertile terroir is a sublime mix of research, botanical fact and her own perfumed virtuosity. It is a scent of beauteous place and atmosphere, assembled with the utmost grace and delicacy. Vero has demonstrated great restraint in her handling of the key ylang-ylang motif, a note that can drown formulae with its unctuous fleshtones.

Malagasy artist Christophe Jean Michel Rabearivelo is better known under the alias of Fof

Painting: Christophe Jean Michel Rabearivelo Fofa 

Almost perversely, she has ghosted this most fleshy of blooms, starved it until only a translucency of desire remains, an ambient glow of spice-washed petal and aerated corsage. Madagascan green mandarin, Messina lemon and the fragile crumble of baies roses (pink peppercorn) add texture and sweet heat to the floral haze. It is lightly dusted in cocoa and a lithe frangipani note imparts a little moist mystery.

‘14°S 48°E’ by Vero Kern Richard Luscher Britos madagascar

 ‘14°S 48°E’ Illustration Courtesy of Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes

There is a strange roasted corn nuance in the base that I think is the vetiver Vero has used…. It throws me backwards to childhood, winding down the windows of air-conditioned cars as we travelled dusty African wreck-strewn roads, smelling roasting corn in the heated air, cooked by women dotted along the routes, thrilling flames with lovingly shaped cardboard fans, back and forth over the squealing cobs. Corn never tasted as good again.

VeroKern

Perfumer Vero Kern

I asked Vero if she could elucidate her scented workings for me; I was intrigued to know how challenging it was working with organic and natural materials. ‘..I wanted to create the terroir scent with complete oils, so no fractions or isolates….The difficulty with complex oils is that they are proper blends with sometimes up to 400 components and therefore must be very carefully mixed together. I had the additional problem with my main component of Ylang Ylang as the use is restricted by IFRA. After many trials however it seems time now, that my creation, my tropical coastal jewel, reflects the many facets of its unique terroir.’   Vero Kern, July 2014

Fofa RABEARIVELO (Christophe Jean Michel) richard luscher britos

Painting:  Artist Christophe Jean Michel Rabearivelo

Ah… my dear Vero… a coastal jewel indeed. The more I wear this secret and tangible scent, the more I fall in love with it. 14˚S 48˚E is outstanding olfaction by a perfumer at the height of her powers and deserves scrutiny, skin and a certain kind of romantic obsession.

–The Silver Fox, Senior Contributor and Editor of The Silver Fox

Disclosure – My own collection

five Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes samples

Sample Set 44°N 03°E Mystic Violet Hills by Andy Tauer, 04°N 74°W : Canton of Valais in Switzerland, 14°S 48°E’: Ambanja in Madagascar, 44°N 03°E: Causse Méjean,  04°N 74°W: the coffee plantations of Columbia and 38°N 16°E Calabria in southern Italy.

We have a sample set of 2ml each of  all five Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes    44°N 03°E Mystic Violet Hills was composed by Andy Tauer). for a US, EU or Canadian reader.  Please leave a comment with why you would want to try 14˚S 48˚E,  and what you found intriguing about this review by August 6, 2014 and where you live. You can follow Richard Lüscher Britos on Facebook to learn more about the founders journeys and olfactive philosophy.

Editor's Note: I chose the beautiful paintings of Malagasy artist Christophe Jean Michel  (better known under the alias of Fofa Rabearivelo). His works appeared in St. Petersburg exhibitions about 10 years ago and attracted attention by their exceptional tranquility and authenticty, having an almost magical quality.  I felt his splendid art helped bringThe Fox’s review of 14°S 48°E to life. When choosing the paintings it is through synchronicity that the poet Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo and Artist Fofa Rabearivelo share the same name, not google, which freaks me out a bit. -Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize wil be just spilled perfume

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36 comments

  • SAntonio says:

    What I found intriguing about the review is the remark that apart from the cocoa, rice and coffee – which even by themselves already make me want to try 14˚S 48˚E – there is a note of roasted corn in this scent. I live in the US.

  • Tiffany R says:

    I don’t think I’ve ever smelled anything with a roasted corn note. It sounds delightful. I’m interested to exactly how 14˚S 48˚E can pair ylang-ylang with corn. I’m in the US.

  • Kim Morgan says:

    The roasted corn note threw me — that’s the smell of summer, for sure, and I’m not at all surprised I’m not the only one who found that of interest! Perfect summertime review. US resident.

  • Liz K says:

    I would love to try all these scents but anything with Vero Kern’s touch is bound to be spectacular. I am also curious about the roasted corn and fermenting vanilla aspect as those are two scents I particularly love as is frangipani. I am in the U.S. Thank you.

  • Nemo says:

    I am intrigued by the idea of a perfume with terroir, especially by Vero Kern. The roasted corn aspect of vetiver, which I have never noticed myself, also sounds very interesting! I am in the US, thank you.

  • Ccc says:

    As everybody else I am intrigued by that roasted corn however I find the whole approach and composition interesting. 14˚S 48˚E is a must try.
    Whatever comes from Vero is always interesting!

    I would love to try all 5 fragrances. The idea behind them is unique and provocative. I know what I would expect from those places but I am very curious to find out how others perceived them.

    I live in US.

  • Sandi L says:

    I love the idea of L & L rather than the names… So perfect. Vero’s creative perfection, certainly was exposed as she described the many trials in reaching her achievement in the “Tropical coastal jewel,” Why do I want to try this…Simply put, I can provide the scrutiny, skin and romantic obsession that this fragrance deserves 😉 I am in the US and thanks for a fabulous review, and stunning artwork.

  • Lillie says:

    I am so happy to read about Richard luscher Britos as this really seems like a wonderful house to explore
    The silver fox had me at “She ghosted this most fleshy of blooms and starved it until only the translucency of desire remains …”
    And then I looked at the painting above it and it sent little shivers
    I must say that the combination of the Fox’sword paintings, the quote of
    Vero Kern, the art of the Company and rabearivelo made this my favorite review on any blog this year.
    I love in the USA and really would love to win all five terroirs,but am most intrigued by 14S 48E

  • Laurels says:

    The idea of a terroir-based perfume, especially one from Madagascar, is inherently appealing. I was particularly intrigued by the desire of perfumer Vero Kern to use only complete oils. I’m in the US.

  • taffyj says:

    Oh, I would love to try this! A perfume based on the environment of Madagascar is so intriguing! (I did a paper in college on the Lemurs of Madagascar. :))

    I live in the U.S.

  • Sabine says:

    Wow. Madagascar is on my “places to see before you die” list for many reasons. The unique landscapes, the flora and fauna, the vanilla, the scents..I would love to smell a Vero Kern creation inspired by it. That she used only complete oils is an intriguing detail. II live in the EU.

  • ladyisla says:

    I would love to try 14˚S 48˚E because I want to find a ylang-ylang note that is light enough not to overpower everything. Your description of the vetiver/corn base is very intriguing!

  • Gail A says:

    What a compelling back story and I had never heard of Richard Luscher Britos until this wonderful review although I am Vero kern’s number one fan and own Rozy, Kiki and Onda,in extrait and voiles
    I love ylang perfumes and have never tried a natural one and of course if it is made with ingredients from Madagascar it is even more intriguing .
    I think the concept of terroir which I am familiar with applied to olfaction is fascinating
    I am in the USA but plan on visiting Italy this summer and Calabria is one of our stops

  • Elia says:

    I would like to try this one because of the ylang ylang and because I’m still interested in discovering Vero perfumes. That it is completely natural is also interesting.
    I’m in the EU, ty

  • Carol S says:

    Such an original concept ! The idea of a sheer gauzy Ylang ylang is intriguing , as I struggle to like ylang . This line leaves me breathless to explore !

  • julesinrose says:

    I love the names of these scents! We’ve had scents that evoke place before, for sure, but this makes it seem like a combo art & science experiment. I’m so intrigued! In the US, still. Cheers!

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    You had me with the coordinates. I have traveled the world through scent and have gotten to know the land or terroir with the lovely notes. Very much enjoyed learning about the perfume process and challenges that Vero Kern had with the Ylang Ylang component. would love to sample these. I live in the US and am always grateful for the generosity of the draw.

  • Erzsebet says:

    This is a incredibly wonderful review. I was never tried any natural perfume yet, but I always wanted to try them. I think 14˚S 48˚E is a really perfect summer scent.
    I live in Europe.

  • Mujo says:

    Just looked at their page and I absolutely love the idea. Also it’s great that the perfumes are all natural. What draws me towards 14˚S 48˚E are the ingredients and the fact that Vero Kern composed this scent. Knowing her signature this will be very unusual, but also very wearable. I live in Europe.

    Thanks for this lovely draw!

  • Timea says:

    I would very like to try 14˚S 48˚E, because I suppose, it is a really interesting perfume, and I love all of the natural scents. The review is fantastic, I very enjoyed to read it.
    I live in Europe.

  • Eva says:

    I very like this review, and I looked at their page, and I think these must be really great perfumes. This is a very good thing that these fragrances are naturals. The best ingredients are from the nature. I would very like to try 14˚S 48˚E, because from the review it’s sounds very exotic and fabulous.
    I live in Europe.

  • Tiffanie says:

    The subtle, delicate treatment of ylang-ylang in this fragrance makes me want to try 14˚S 48˚E. It sounds intriguing, as though the perfume represents the scents of the terroir as one would encounter them in their natural setting. A bit here, a breeze there, and finally an all-encompassing fragrant, living breath that reaches the toes and touches the soul. Lovely! I am in the US.

  • Patty P. says:

    I’m hoping to smell the cocoa, rice, pepper, coffee and vanilla, that I read on another page after reading this column. The fact that this perfume is natural makes it all the more intriguing to try and pick out these notes. I am in the U.S. ty

  • silvrolive says:

    I love the concept of exact geographic locations for scents described by latitude and longitude. Love to try all natural perfume oils and am intrigued by a “roasted corn” note. I am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • Joaquim says:

    I’m from Spain, EU
    I would love to try 14˚S 48˚E just because it’s made by Vero Kern, one of the best noses of our time!
    As all the readers, the roasted corn part of the vetiver is the part that intrigued me the most, I’ve never detected it in any vetiver based fragance.
    Thank you for the draw!

  • Steve A says:

    I want to try this one because it’s natural, and I was intrigued with the whole concept of latitude and longitude. USA ty

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I want to try 14˚S 48˚E because it is described as “confidence in the unknown”. I enjoyed reading about the coastal jewel, biodiversity hotspot and natural richness of Madagascar and this fragrance that reflects that. I’d also like to experience that nutty gourmet note of roasted corn.

  • Steve L. says:

    Mr. Fox…thanks for the wonderful introduction to these perfumes…as far as I’m concerned Vero Kern can do no wrong. I love when perfumers collaborate! And did someone say ylang-ylang??!! Thanks again. I”m in the USA!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    14˚S 48˚E is intriguing because it has been inspired by Madagascar which is one of the most diverse places on earth in terms of animal diversity. thus, it is a scent inspired by the nature in one of its purest forms. i am also curious because i think this is Vero’s first all-natural creation. one interesting thing in this review is that Vero kept in mind the plantation diversity of Madagascar and has tried to reflect it in the perfume. thanks for the lovely draw. i am in the US

  • Ferris Égoïste says:

    Toasted corn? wow i dont think I have ever detected that unusal facet of vetiver before. Sound very intriguing however. i cannot wait to smell Vero Kern’s self proclaimed “unique terroir”. im fascinated that Kero was able to create a scent with ylang ylang that doesnt overwhelm the whole composition and yet still introduce interesting facets of other notes. thanks for the draw! im inthe US.

  • mim says:

    Thank you for the evocative review! I love scents which take me away to places I’e never been, to others’ dreams of places. Vanilla is a favorite note and ylang ylang is intriguing, especially Vero Kern’s take on it.

    My favorite part was learning about Ms Britos’s contribution:
    “Serena Britos is an expert in ethnobotany, a science that aims to explore the complex and vital relationships between man, cultures and fauna. Her knowledge and experiences were essential to the idea of creating niche perfumery using only natural raw materials inspired by the concept of terroir.”
    so cool!

    USA

  • Damir says:

    Richard Lüscher Britos Natural Terroir Perfumes seems very interesting concept to me.. I’m curious about the perfume that is created “with organic and natural materials”. Of course, I’m also very interested about Vero Kern’s work. I’m in Croatia. Thank you.

  • Cynthia says:

    The list of scents, some strong, but done with a light hand sounds interesting to me. I would try anything Vero Kern creates! I’m in the US. Thank you.

  • Jeannie 07 says:

    I liked the idea of exact geographic locations using latitude and longitude in order to name a scent, and the fact that Vero Kern, one of the best noses in the Art of High Perfumery is the creator of it.
    I am excited only by the idea to smell vetiver in this perfume that leaves you with the impression of “roasted corn” since I used to wear Vetiver by Guerlain but never had been left with the impression of roasted corn in it. I would love to try it even for the experience of such a smell!
    I live in EU and I thank you for this lovely review and draw.

  • Holly F. says:

    I’d love to try this! Reading this review made me feel like I was exploring new territory. That magical, enchanted quality just reels me in. I’m in the U.S.

  • merlina says:

    A parfum inspired in Madagascar environment, that’s great! I would love to try all these scent and I’m also curious about the fermenting vanilla aspect !! The best vanilla for me comes from Madagascar! I’ m in Spain, Europe.