I love a visual title. My favorite example of this is the title of the Harlan Ellison short story “I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream”. Just the title conjures up myriad artistic possibilities to bring it to life. Another example of a visual title is “The Rose With The Broken Neck”. The Rose With The Broken Neck was a track on an album produced by Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi. In collaboration with Jack White and Norah Jones they were inspired by the music of spaghetti Westerns and they used instruments that were used in those soundtracks. What I think this says is a great title can lead to a creative product. In the case of The Rose With The Broken Neck perhaps our most talented botanical perfumer Alexandra Balahoutis was inspired to create a new limited edition perfume for her Strange Invisible Perfumes line.

Woman With Roses by Saperlipop

The olfactory version of The Rose With The Broken Neck uses a set of noted to figuratively break down the rose. From dousing it in cognac, then dredging it in spice before exposing a woody stem this is a perfume which lives up to the potential Ms. Balahoutis has always shown in the botanical perfume discipline where she works. Her ability makes you forget she is using all natural components. The Rose With The Broken Neck is a beautiful perfume….period. It is an example of olfactory art….period. It lives up to its title in every way by stressing the rose throughout its development.

The Rose With The Broken Neck opens with the rose drenched in cognac. The first impression I got when I wore this was boozy intensity before the rose arises out of the alcoholic haze. I prefer the acrid feel of cognac over the smoother tones of rum which is the usual alcohol component. The sharp edges the cognac brings is something different as it makes the rose work overtime to get noticed in the early moments. As the alcohol burns off vanilla and nutmeg pick up the spicy facets of the core rose note and they transform The Rose With The Broken Neck from barfly to gourmand. I was so impressed with this transition because as I write this I can see a reader thinking it might be abrupt. Ms. Balahoutis’ touch, and understanding, with these botanical ingredients allows for a smooth switch in character. As The Rose With The Broken Neck moves in to the base there is another kind of distinct transition to woods as guaiac and vetiver take over the latter stages of development. All of this is done with precise skill to make all of this flow evenly.

The Rose With The Broken Neck has average longevity and below average sillage.

There have been some who have advanced the thesis that natural perfumery cannot be considered olfactory art because it does not contain synthetics. I wish I could make those naysayers sit down in front of The Rose With The Broken Neck, and others of Ms. Balahoutis’ fragrances, and challenge them to say these do not rise to the level of olfactory art. Art is art and should be experienced as a whole composition not judged solely on its components. The Rose With The Broken Neck is another example of how Ms. Balahoutis’ deep knowledge allows for her to accomplish anything she wants to do; even living up to a visual title in a bravura performance.

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample provided by Strange Invisible Perfumes.

Thanks to Strange Invisible Perfumes we have a sample of The Rose With The Broken Neck to give away to our US readers only. To be eligible leave a comment naming your favorite visual title or your favorite Strange Invisible Perfumes fragrance. The draw will end on May 8, 2013.

Editor's Note: The Rose with the Broken Neck is a limited edition for Spring 2013

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

-Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, EIC