Photo by Bored panda©
“…When, with moss and honey
She tips her bending brier,
And half unfolds her glowing heart,
She sets the world on fire.” – Christina Rossetti – “The Rose”
Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances
Neil Morris Rose Afire, redefines my notion of the ideal rose, unsettling expectations and setting my world of scent on fire! Neil Morris, one of America’s first, most respected and beloved artisan perfumers, has been designing fragrances for over thirty years (and blending essential oils as far back as the 1960s). In 2003 he launched his first retail line in New York City. Neil Morris and his beautiful, carefully crafted fragrances have long been favorites here at CaFleureBon (including his collaboration with Michelyn on Vision in White and his homage to Sr. Editor Ida Meister Le Parfum d’Ida). Who but Neil Morris could create the most unique and swoon worthy rose I’ve experienced in years! (Note: Many of Neil’s long time fans will remember the delectable berries, vanilla and fruity liquor of his 2007 Afire fragrance. The new Rose Afire is a completely different perfume, related to the first in name only).
Kirilian©
Neil Morris Rose Afire opens with a wisp and a haze of smoky, tarred cade suffused with the brisk, clear wetness of wild roses. My first impressions seem contradictory, as the fire consumes moisture and the dry, burning juniper cade is dampened with heavy dew. In Rose Afire the opposites play off of each other, attract and compliment, creating, from the beginning, an almost otherworldly atmosphere. The blazing wet roses wear on my skin like cool fire. For two hours and more a Kirlian aura of scent surrounds me, radiating halos of deep blue and glowing purple, smoldering with an almost spiritual intensity. But despite the magical flames and the Middle Eastern nod to spice and smoke, Rose Afire is not an incense or a ritual rose.
Rose from Gail’s garden©
As the smoke begins to clear, the initial surreal flare of cade and wet wild roses broadens and blossoms into the full-bodied, fruity scents of the big fragrant hybrid teas and damasks that grace our formal and cottage gardens all summer long. At the heart, Neil Morris Rose Afire simmers rich with rose, caramel, cinnamon and the warmth of vanillac oak. A hint of pumpkin plumps the flower as the blossom emerges from the fire – a full-blown, rosy phoenix rising from ashes.
Smoke Rose stock photo apped by Michelyn
This larger than life, mythical rose remains unchanged for eight more hours. The next morning, as Rose Afire flickers and fades, the blowsy roses seem to retreat and hide within the tight simplicity of green rose buds laced with patchouli, apple, sparkling aldehydes and of course, the perpetual flame of the fire-y rose. And now at last “… the fire and the rose are one.” – T. S. Eliot from the poem “Little Gidding”
Notes: Cade, wild rose accord, Damask rose, apple, cinnamon, oak, caramel, Aldehydes, patchouli, pumpkin and Norlimbanol® (a woody aroma molecule from Firmenich).
Disclaimer: I would like to thank Neil Morris for the generous samples of Rose Afire and several of the other beautiful fragrances in his line. My opinions are my own.
Gail Gross – Senior Editor
To order Rose Afire (or any of Neil Morris perfumes not listed on the website) simply order ANY Vault perfume/Eau de Parfum/sample at http://neilmorrisfragrances.com/vault.html and in the comment section at checkout, mention that you would like to order Rose Afire.
Neil Morris Rose Afire courtesy of Neil
Thanks to Neil Morris Fragrances, we have one 30 ml bottle of Neil Rose Morris Rose Afire for one registered reader worldwide. Please be sure to register. To be eligible let us know what appeals to you about Gail’s review, where you live and your favorite Neil Morris perfume (or one that you would like to try) Draw closes 6/15/2018.
We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.