New Fragrance Review: Nishane Istanbul 3 Boszporusz Extrait de Parfum+ Breaking the Suface Draw

Greg Louganis

Greg Louganis Olympic Gold Medalist 1984 Los Angles

Guys… do remember your first fragrance? Ladies, can recall the cologne your first boyfriend or your brother (most likely your father is not young enough to be in this game, sorry). Was it Davidoff Cool Water composed by Pierre Boudon in 1998, a BIG Aquatic scent? Well the 90s are back, (in fashion and beauty too) but with a twist as Neo-Aquatics are reivented by some of our best niche and master perfumers. Over the past two years,  (Pierre Guillaume Croisière, Neela Vermeire Pichola, Aedes de Venustas Copal Azur (both by Bertrand Duchaufour), Gabriella Chieffo Aquasala (Luca Maffei), Penhaligon’s Blasted Heath (Alberto Morillas) to name a few are reinventing a category, perfumistas used to shun by  using new materials and ingredient combinations. No more big blasts of Calone or chlorine soaked scents.

cafleurebonMurat Katran and Mert Güzel nishane istanbul

Murat Katran and Mert Güzel  (Photo by Nishane)

In my Múnegu review, I introduced Nishane to ÇaFleureBon readers as the first and the only niche perfume house based in Turkey. Michelyn announced the debut and her favorites (and called it one of the best discoveries) when she attended Esxence 2015. As I write Nishane is now showing at Pitti Fragranze. Since 2012, both owners and creative directors Murat Katran and Mert Güzel have developed an extensive Extrait de Parfum Collection which is a mixture of strong olfactive memories created by rare essences Each Nishane fragrance has a unique story inspired by the tradition of the exotic city Istanbul-the bridge to two worlds.

boszporusz nishane instanbul cafleurebon

Photo: Berkan

Since Murat was a stage actor and Mert a coffee table book designer, the line takes inspiration from many places, but all roads lead back to Istanbul. Boszporusz is dedicated to “Bosphorus”, the Marmara Sea. It’s an aquatic fragrance with a thoroughly modern twist. The nose behind the fragrance is Jorge Lee who is particularly adept in composing extrait de parfums (read our review of Nishane Duftbluten). Boszporusz opens with a deep sea accord.

Sea Of Marmara Painting

Sea Of Marmara Painting Katherine Shmeled

The fragrance not only delivers the smell of water but seagrass and seaweed are prominent. Swirling waves meets the shore with notes of galbanum and sage very quickly into the  fragrance’s development. It is the sage that gives saltiness to Boszporusz.  The aquatic notes turn in their sea legs as they wander  into  a nearby garden of gardenia and jasmine. The drydown is earthy; oakmoss and amber anchor this composition. Boszporusz has above average longevity and will carry you into fall and breaks the surface of new wave aquatics. Endless Summer… for most of us, what more can you ask, because the icy fingers of winter will be gripping your neck before you know it.

Notes: Sea Grass, Cypress, Galbanum, Sage, Jasmine, Gardenia, Seaweed, Oakmoss, Transparent Patchouli, Amber, Musk

– Berkan Basoglu, Contributor and author of gurmekokular.com You can follow Berkan @gurmekokular and CafleureBon @cafleurebon

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen

boszporusz nishane

Photo: Berkan

Thanks to Nishane Instanbul we have a worldwide draw for registered readers. You have a choice of 30 ml of Boszporusz,

OR

nishane istanbul perfume discovery set

Photo: Michelyn

a 16 x2 discovery kit of all Nishane Extraits.

To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Berkan’s review of Boszporusz, the first aquatic scent you wore or remember, where you live and your choice should you win. Draw closes Sept 14, 2015

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

 

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29 comments

  • Tami H. says:

    I very much enjoyed this part.
    The fragrance not only delivers the smell of water but seagrass and seaweed are prominent. Swirling waves meets the shore with notes of galbanum and sage very quickly into the fragrance’s development. It is the sage that gives saltiness to Boszporusz. The aquatic notes turn in their sea legs as they wander into a nearby garden of gardenia and jasmine. The drydown is earthy; oakmoss and amber anchor this composition. Boszporusz has above average longevity and will carry you into fall and breaks the surface of new wave aquatics. Endless Summer… for most of us, what more can you ask, because the icy fingers of winter will be gripping your neck before you know it.

    I would like to win the 30 ml. I live in the U.S. and I think Castelbajac and Heeley Sel Marin were 2 of the first scents that remind me of aquatics.
    Thank you for the generous draw!

  • Wayne says:

    Wonderful review – considering this category of scent is my least favorite, you still really brought it to life for me and made me want to try it. The illustrations and photos are wonderful and so evocative. I Have never ever met an aquatic I could tolerate – until very recently, I had the pleasure of sampling Entre la mer et le Ciel – it was WONDERFUL! Should I be fortunate enough to win the draw I would love the discovery set..I live in New York in the US. Thanks!

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Love this review and discovering this house at Twisted Lily the other days! There are some amazing and varied scents in it! I especially love that it sounds like the sea-like elements are “grounded” (pun intended) with greens, florals, and other non-aquatic pieces…so it’s not just a mish-mosh of calone and citrus.

    My first aquatic I smelled was definitely Cool Water–men’s and women’s–on my parents’ dressers…aquatic isn’t my thing…probably the last one I thought was intriguing was Laura Tonatto’s Oltre with its bilgewater sea notes…and even then, not to wear. I, of course, love the scent of the actual sea and sun-warmed skin!

    I am in the US and if I won I’d love the sampler pack to sample this wonderful line. Thanks so much for the opportunity for this draw.

  • Michelle U says:

    I was just thinking this week how I should try more aquatic scent because I have not enough experience in that department and here it is, I just read this amazing review about this aquatic scent that sounds great. This is my favorite part of the review “Swirling waves meets the shore with notes of galbanum”.

    The aquatic I remember as being said to be an aquatic but I don’t really think it is was an aquatic fragrance is Oxigene by Lanvin. I remember it as being odd but not aquatic. For me Womanity by Thierry Mugler has more the aquatic, salty, sea weed and sea smelling vibe I am looking for. Not just water but salty sea water.

    The discovery kit sounds great!

    I am a registered reader from the EU.

    Thank you very much! Wish you all the best!

  • Claudia says:

    This does sound like endless summer in a bottle which is what I need her in the cold and snowy Wisconsin/Minnesota. I love that aquatic scents are becoming more popular since I have always loved them. I love the PG Croisiere line for sure, its so well done and I have heard all good things about the Nishane line, but have not had the opportunity to try any. I think My choice would be the bottle of Boszporusz. The first aquatic I wore was Issey Leau d’Issey by Issey Miyake which I still love to this day followed by Montale Sandflowers Then of course Heeley Sel Marin and of course PG Croisiere Entre Ciel et Mer. I think that aquatic is one of my favorite perfume genres. I am registered, in the US and would love a chance to try this.

  • Steve A says:

    I don’t recall the first aquatic I wore. I probably didn’t think of the type of fragrance it was at the time. Though I wore Cool Water. I do love aquatics and scents with seaweed notes. So I really enjoyed the description paragraph of the Boszporusz.
    I would love the 30 ml of Boszporusz. USA

  • fazalcheema says:

    Boszporusz doesn’t only smell of water but also seagrass and seaweed. when i read this, i could not help but think fo Bulgari’s first acquatic release Aqua which also reminded me of seaweed and i could not help but admire the fragrance for such a realistic capture of sea while everyone else focused on calone..my first acquatic fragrance was Acqua di Gio..thanks so much for the wonderful draw. I am in the US. My choice will be 30ml of Boszporusz.

  • Cynthia says:

    Can I go off topic for a moment? Last year my husband and I took a trip to Turkey, and can I say, Most Fantastic Trip Ever! I would go back in a heartbeat. I found the whole place so inspirational, so any perfumer that grew up in this fantastic environment immediately draws my attention and interest. I like the description of this perfume, it sounds very realistic. I was not a Cool Water fan, but I remember enjoying an aquatic from the Lostmarch line, the actual name escapes me, sorry! It’s ingredients remind me of the ones mentioned here! USA. Thanks for the draw. I would choose the sampler.

  • greennote says:

    The first aquatic I was aware of was L’Eau d’Issey, though I’d probably smelt Cool Water and just not been aware of it. I liked that Berkan defined them as ‘neo-aquatics’ and the passage that Tami above quoted also captured my imagination, painting the perfume’s palate for me.

    I’m in Australia and would love to try the discovery set.

  • flo says:

    As always, Berkan’s review is short, informative, with just a hint of poetry! I did become a big fan of salty / seaweed fragrances, and this one sounds really nice.
    My first aquatic, as far as I remember, was Acqua di sale by Profumum Roma.
    I’d like to win the “discovery set”. I’m a registered reader from the EU.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Timea says:

    I have never tried any aquatic perfume yet. But from the review it sounds very interesting, so I would very like to try this on. My choice is BOSZPORUSZ. I’m very interested, that how can be a perfume scenting with sea accord.
    I live in Europe. Thanks for the draw.

  • Iphigenia says:

    The whole review is lovely and the way Berkan describes the notes in order to capture the beauty of this perfume with the name Boszporusz, for this and only for the sake of an aquatic smell that recalls the beauty of this particular sea with its saltines and humid character I want to try it. My first aquatic smell experience is Davidoff’s Cool Water, my boyfriends cologne.in the ’90’s.
    I am a registered reader in EU. Thank you for this lovely draw. My choice the sampler set.

  • lionceau says:

    Thanks for the nice review and draw! Boszporusz sounds wonderful, I’m very interested in the sage note.
    My first aquatic perfume was Aquawoman by Rochas.
    I’ve never tried this line, so it would be great to win the discovery kit. USA

  • Laurentiu says:

    I am not into this type of fragrances, but I am always curious to test something new. The combination of sea grass, seaweed plus jasmine and gardenia sounds really interesting to be honest. Very niche-like and artsy. My first aquatic scent was, like most of the users above, Cool Water. Indeed a classic which will always have a place in the hall of fame.

    I am from Europe and my pick would be Boszporusz. Many thanks!

  • Mujo says:

    The first aquatic must have been Cool Water. Boszporusz sounds excellent. I love the short but evocative description. I have been in Istanbul and I loved the Bosporus, it’s so beautiful and unique. I choose the bottle of Boszporusz. I live in EU. Thanks for this lovely draw.

  • Patty P. says:

    My first aquatic was Acqua Motu. I would love to win this new Boszporusz. Nice review on what to expect. I am interested because it “delivers the smell of water”. 🙂 I would choose the bottle if I win. US

  • Reg says:

    Same here, Cool Water Men was the first aquatic perfume I remember. I must have been 14 when I bought it for my boyfriend’s birthday (I was clueless about perfume). He absolutely hated it. Since then I’m a little traumatized when it comes to aquatics… I find the sage note interesting here though (as I do like Wood Sage and Sea Salt by Jo Malone). I’m in the EU and I would choose the discovery kit.

  • alexboring says:

    I love the sound of an aquatic that focuses on seaweed rather than typical calone bomb type smells. The use of “anchor” also made laugh, as this is an aquatic scent. Don’t know if that was an intentional wordplay. The first aquatic scent I remember is Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua. Something I almost never wear, but it does bring back good memories. I live in the USA, Arizona, and if I win I’d love to get 30 ml of Boszporusz.

  • Laurels says:

    I liked the introduction of the new Neo-Aquatic category of scents, and the description of Boszporusz as smelling not only like water, but also seaweed and seagrass. (Love those scents!) I love Greg Louganis, but that photo is bringing back the shock and horror of his head injury. (Thank goodness he was all right.) The first perfume with an aquatic note I ever wore regularly is Thirdman Eau Nomade. That and Lys Mediterranee are still the only two I like, but I haven’t yet tried any of the Neo-Aquatics. I’m in the U.S., and I would choose the Discovery Kit of Nishane Extraits.

  • merlina says:

    My first aquatic was l’Eau d’Issay as so many people here have also said, it was a challenging perfume in the 90’s….since then I haven’t wear much aquatics… I was more into warm , spicY scents…and that’s what Istambul brings to me when I remember my stay there, food whith spices, the scented markets , the sweet baklawas….how could I forget the sea of Istambul? So, I would like to discover what is the aquatic interpretation of a perfumist in this amazing turkish city as well as the rest of his perfumes. If I win I would like the discovery kit, thanks. I’m in the EU.

  • Mel says:

    I am intrigued by the neo-aquatics trend as the big aquatics of the 90s wasn’t my type of genre. In this review, I like the water colour painting illustrating the notes of the perfume, the watery top notes with the florals on the side. I probably smelt Cool Water first without knowing it, but my first FB would be Fluer de Liane.

    My choice of prize would be the Discovery Kit. I live in Singapore. Thanks!

  • DGambas says:

    When I tried Cool Water first time, I didn’t like it, but today I almost love it and wear it sometimes. Newer creations mentioned in this article make this category much more attractive. I love A Study in Water and Kingston Ferry. Boszporusz sounds like a nice composition of marine, herbal, floral and woody ingredients. The story of Nishane is interesting. I’m glad that the author reminds us on it. My choice would be Boszporusz. I am in the EU, Croatia. Thank you.

  • bari says:

    I was in Twisted Lily and really liked passion choco
    My husband might like this one. I would like to have the sample set
    Nyc reader

  • Greg Sh says:

    I really enjoy the green opening to it. It sounds very fresh and inviting. My first aquatic was Cool Water. It was my father’s signature scent, and I was a very nice smelling child while using it haha. My choice would be the discovery set since there’s so many great sounding fragrances from this house! I am in Canada and thank you so much for the draw!

  • Mim says:

    My first aquatic I smelled was probably Cool Water, and I think CK Truth may have been the first one I wore…It’s not oceanic, but it’s fresh-wet-green from bamboo and wet woods; “This is the answer for those who want a fresh scent but don’t like peony, freesia, aquatic/watery or calone/melon

    I dislike melony aquatic but like ones grounded in green, which is why I want to try Boszporusz, based on this: “Swirling waves meets the shore with notes of galbanum and sage.” The garden and the earth in the drydown, and the green throughout, make it sound like a much more palatable modern take on aquatic.

    My choice of prize would be the Discovery Kit. I live in the US. Thanks!

  • bunchofpants says:

    “Endless Summer… for most of us, what more can you ask.” This! It’s a chilly 49 degrees F where I am this morning, and I’m sad because summer is creeping away! Thge only aquatics I can even think of right now are Cool Water and Acqua diGioia, but my brain is so non-encyclopedic that I’m sure I’m just forgetting the first aquatic I smelled. I would like the 30 ml of Boszporusz. I’m in USA.

  • Holly F. says:

    “Swirling waves meets the shore with notes of galbanum and sage,” so poetic. This review is a joy to read. I enjoyed CSP’s Aqua Motu as an aquatic scent that I recall. I would love the Discovery Kit! Thanks, I’m in the US.

  • Vick G says:

    I’m interested in the seaweed and seagrass combo. It sounds unique and I don’t think I’ve smelled anything like it before. I think it would be a great scent on both men and women. My first experience with an acquatic scent would have to be Cool Water. It was very popular when I was growing up, and I smelled it all over the place. I would love to win the discovery set! I’m in Canada.