From his one and only shop (nestled in Boston, Massachusetts) Neil Morris has been churning out consistently wonderful fragrances for almost a decade. He started Neil Morris Fragrances in 2005; but before that was custom blending fragrances for many years previously. His love of perfumes and his acute nose were both “inherited” from his mother, who was a large influence on both him and his art. One of his biggest inspirations has always been the changes in the scents of the air and the earth as the seasons turned. Tropical Lagoon follows suit, as it calls to mind the beauty of an idyllic island getaway and adds subtle hints of autumn approaching.

I admire many things about Neil Morris. He is a wonderful man to talk to and actually listens to what his fans have to say and is very open to feedback and suggestions, even having a contest last year allowing a fan to design their “dream scent” and making it and marketing it on his website. He has many regular scents in his signature collection and has also kept many he has made (seasonal and otherwise) available to perfumistas as “Vault Scents”. Ever ready to talk to his fans in person and answer questions, Neil is the epitome of both an artistic dreamer and a down to earth guy. His ability to capture a single “scent snapshot” in a perfume continues to amaze me.

When I heard he had a new Earthtones scent, and that I was receiving a sample, I was overjoyed as I was already in love with North Woods (Earthtones #3)! When I heard it was a “tropical lagoon” scent; however, I was less than enthused. I decided not to let any names or listed notes lead me to make a rash snap judgment and trusted that this would not be a melon dripping lotus/passion flower scent with “marine notes” and fruity drink accords that dried down to sun tan oil. Neil did not disappoint!! What greeted my nose, on the first spray, actually made me sigh. A warm and shimmering wave of bright yuzu and sweet tangerine with the added sweet succulence of papaya expanded on an aldehydic mist that echoed balmy fresh air and green fronds that would actually grow around said tropical lagoon!

Karl Bang

As this developed, I felt I had just stepped off a plane to an island destination and a fragrant lei of warm tropical flowers was placed around my neck, despite white magnolia and freesia being the only listed floral notes. Neil and I had discussed, when we first talked, about how magnolia makes anything seem a bit smoother and creamier. Here it takes the often powdery aspects of freesia and makes it silken and elegant while adding a bit of depth and sexiness. The creaminess does not stop there. Coconut, milky and fresh, is mixed with mango, ripe and juicy, and makes it seem just a bit more than some drink served in a coconut’s shell with a paper umbrella in it. The most unusual note (and what puts just a little naughtiness into the hula dancer’s shimmy) is a superb dose of tuberose. Usually tuberose can come off as smoky (even rubbery) and here it is gentle and bolsters the floral nature and gives the fruitiness some unique pizzazz without taking over the whole show.

Rough Waves by Nguyen Van Minh

As un-summery as it may sound, the dry down on this scent is phenomenal with patchouli, just the right amount of oud and Madagascar vanilla smell as if they that have been braided and left to dry by the side of the sea and are now laced with sea salt and wet marine breezes. Patchouli adds a gorgeous humid darkness to this, almost like the sun has set but the warmth of the day lingers, as shadows cover the island. Oud, usually so medicinal and strong, is here used to add just a hint of smoky woodiness as the stars come out and a bonfire is already burning brightly on the sandy shore of your own private lagoon. Vanilla, rich and delicious, keeps the subtle sweetness going in the finish and seamlessly unites tropical, fresh and oriental. Somehow, in spite of all these oriental and deep exotic notes, Tropical Lagoon manages to refresh and rejuvenate and allow the beauty of the tropical sunshine to glow.

Every time I wore this, I kept thinking to myself: THIS is an amazing and interesting take on the tropics!! Neil has captured not only the fruits and the flowers and the wateriness (sans “calone”) framed with lush greenery; but, he somehow managed to also incorporate the heaviness of the climate itself, without being oppressive, and create something that doesn’t smack of a pina colada. This is a sensual and aromatic foray into rest and relaxation that one can don to go about their day. If, like me, you cannot get away and have a trip to Bora Bora or Hawaii…you can always spray on some of this perfume. The perfumer called this “a vacation in a bottle” and this reviewer is currently basking in the sun and enjoying his own little perfumed getaway in the hills of southwest Pennsylvania. Sillage: good. Longevity: very good.

Disclosure: This review is based on a spray sample sent to me by Neil Morris Fragrances.

Today, September 18, is Neil Morris’ birthday and we have a 0.25oz sample of Tropical Lagoon to giveaway. To be eligible leave a birthday wish for Neil in the comments. We will keep the party going until September 22, 2012 when we will draw one winner.

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

-John Reasinger, Editor