New Perfume Review: Eric Buterbaugh Florals ~ Sultry Rose, Celestial Jasmine and Regal Tuberose + Oh, The Drama Draw

 eric buterbaugh wedding floral design chandelier

Eric ButerBaugh Floral Artistry Photo: Californiaweddingday.com

Doors open onto a gilded ballroom. The tables are set with the finest china, sparkling crystal, and flowers– so many flowers so beautifully arranged that the term “spare no expense” comes to mind.

eric buterbaugh  famed florist

Eric Buterbaugh THE Florist to the stars -via EB Florals

Eric Buterbaugh is the premier A-list L.A. florist, with devotees like Naomi Campbell, Gwyneth Paltrow,Gwen Stefani, Demi Moore and Nicole Richie, and clientele ranging from luxury houses Dior, Valentino and Cartier to the British royal family and the king of Thailand.

eric buterbaugh perfumes  Apollo Hyacinth, Virgin Lily of the Valley, Regal Tuberose, Celestial Jasmine, Sultry Rose, Velvet Lavender and Fragile Violet

Apollo Hyacinth, Virgin Lily of the Valley, Regal Tuberose, Celestial Jasmine, Sultry Rose, Velvet Lavender and Fragile Violet

His new fragrance collection, collaboration with  industry veteran  and  business partner Fabrice Croisé and top perfumers from Firmenich, (Master perfumers Harry Fremont, Alberto Morillas,  and Honorine Blanc as well as Senior Perfumers Pierre Negrin, and Ilias Ermenidis) clicks in a way that makes one wonder why no one’s thought of it before– a master of the visuals of flowers, Buterbaugh proves that their fragrance can be equally gasp-inducing. Featuring interpretations of seven of the grandest flowers (Apollo Hyacinth, Virgin Lily of the Valley, Regal Tuberose, Celestial Jasmine, Sultry Rose, Velvet Lavender and Fragile Violet), this collection is destined to become iconic because of its unique viewpoint. It reminds me of the couture at the Met Gala– larger than life and whimsical, while always remaining elegant.  Each scent has its own appeal, but for me the standouts were the rose, jasmine and tuberose.

eric buterbaugh demi moore nicole richie  gwyneth paltrow roses

Eric Buterbaugh with friends, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Richie and Demi Moore – via harpersbazaar.com

Sultry Rose and Celestial Jasmine were developed by Illias Ermenidis, creator of Gucci by Gucci, Victoria’s Secret Heavenly, and Alfred Sung Shi, among many other well-known fragrances. Rose is Eric Buterbaugh’s signature flower due to his original technique of “peeling” back the petals to make the bloom more dramatic; Ermenidis’ treatment of the scent follows suit.

rose red carpet  1eric buterbaugh

Photo:  Rose Red Carpet  Eric Buterbaugh Style Harpersbazaar.com

Sultry Rose is said to be from his private collection, presented to Buterbaugh as a tribute to the latter’s floral artistry, and it’s the most perfect rose I’ve ever had the pleasure of sniffing. The first reel opens with a flourish of drama, like the entrance from a grande dame of Hollywood.  Unexpected top notes of passionfruit and pepper add a freshness and piquancy to the priceless ottoman rose essence at the heart of the scent.  The combination presents an irresistible tension between sweet and seductive: angels scatter petals on her train as she glides down the red carpet, but beneath her finery, a human heart beats ardently.  In time, vanilla orchid and saffron warm the rose with a hint of leather and honey; her hair has come undone, her lipstick is smudged, and the smoldering glances she’s giving her leading man across the room are unmistakable in their intent. Base notes of ambrette musk, oud and ambergris accord leave their embers burning well into the night.

nicole ritchie  celestial jasmine eric buterbaugh

Nicole Richie with Eric Buterbaugh via instagram (digitalized)

In contrast, Celestial Jasmine is a young ingenue, opening effervescently with linden blossom, freesia and jasmine sambac. Her dress is frothy, her laughter is tinkling, and she knows exactly what she can get away with thanks to her status as the It girl of the moment. Heart notes of jasmine de Provence, tuberose petals, and narcissus prove that she has both depth and range, contrasting a squeaky-clean soapiness with pure floral seduction, and as time goes on she’s not above letting her sexy side (made up of base notes of ambrox, silk wood and skin musk) come to the forefront to catch that hot director’s attention.

regal tuberose perfume eric buterbaugh cafleurebon

Regal Tuberose was signed by  Master Perfumer Honorine Blanc, the creator of one of my personal favorites, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White, and was inspired by her memories of travelling to an Amazonian jungle. If Sultry Rose and Celestial Jasmine are leading ladies, Regal Tuberose is the role of a lifetime. Multifaceted and complex, this royal floral refuses to be typecast. Her opening is refreshingly bitter, with top notes of grapefruit, white pepper and papyrus accord skewing fresh and modern. In time, patchouli leaves mellow and amplify the green, while tuberose absolute and jasmine sambac petals take center stage. Their buttery purity is grand but never typical, indicating that this is anything but your grandmother’s white floral. Base notes of amber wood, oak moss and captive musk ground her character development in enticing Eros. We hear Eric has been wearing Regal Tuberose these days…

eric buterbaugh roses

Eric Buterbaugh

If forced to pick a favorite, I think I’d be able to cry on cue, but fortunately they won’t have to compete for your affections; each suits a specific mood and will win its own place in your heart. Sold exclusively at Eric Buterbaugh’s LA store and on his website, the seven scents are available for $300 for 100 ml, or in a seven scent sampling kit with 10 ml vials of each fragrance for $250.

Nancy Lichtenstein, Monthly Contributor

Disclosure: Samples provided by Eric Buterbaugh Florals; opinions my own.

 

Editor’s Note: Kudos to Mr. Buterbaugh and M. Croisé for acknowledging each perfumer as auteur and for the wonderful interviews with each olfactive artist. The website is truly a treat for the eyes as much as the fragrances for the nose. I will chime in and inexplicably fell in love with Virgin Lily of The Valley by Pierre Negrin (of Amouage fame), which I would not have ever guessed would have been my favorite. So much for reading notes and  looking at names There is nothing Virginal about this scent-MC

SamplingKit eric buterbaugh perfumes

 Thanks to the incredible generosity of Eric Buterbaugh Florals, we have one seven scent sampling kit to give away to a registered U.S. reader. To enter the draw, please comment indicating what about Eric Buterbaugh Florals intrigues you and which of the fragrances you would most like to experience. Draw closes 7/19/2015

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

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32 comments

  • I love lily of the valley, but lavender reminds me of a summer month I spent in the Loire valley on an exchange program. and the jasmine sounds yummy too. I like the approach to perfumery from a florist perspective!

  • MikasMinion says:

    I would love to try these, especially Sultry Rose . I’ve had good luck in the past with fragrance lines from floral designers as well as with several of the listed perfumers. I’m in the U.S.

  • madeleine gallay says:

    Ah. this is lovely. Regal Tuberose, not your grandma’s sweet fragrance, but a touch badass with pepper and grapefruit. Absolutely evocative and necessary. Sultry Rose … well, she’s come undone, the warmth bringing out the leather and honey and happiness. These are ALL too wonderful. i hope, in the US. Near Los Angeles.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I think I read about Eric a while back..some article hinting upon a release from him..This also reminds me of very very shortlived release from another master florist Christian Tortu..I am glad he has collaborated with many perfumers which means there will be a variety of different styles..i am most intrigued by fragile violet and celestial jasmine. thanks a lot for the draw. I am in the US

  • Oh my goodness, just choose one? Virgin Lily of the Valley has to be the one. What a wonderful draw!

  • I’d choose Lily of the Valley as well. What an interesting man! Such talent, such beautiful flowers, and such beautiful scents. Thanks for the great draw! (I’m in the US)

  • They all sound lovely but Apollo Hyacinth sounds especially intriguing. Thanks for the wonderful draw.

  • Seven different florals for a lover of florals. This is heavenly. Larger than life, whimsical and elegant – this collection has it all. I was going “Oh yes” when reading each of the perfume names. Choosing one is extremely difficult but I will name Apollo Hyacinth as #1.

  • I just spent some time on the website and the presentation is lovely. The bottles are beautiful. A number of the fragrances are tempting to me, but I am most drawn to Sultry Rose.

  • I’ll hand it to to Eric Buterbaugh Florals for going big and bold out of the gate. That’s how you make a grand entrance! I’m most personally enticed by Regal Tuberose, thanks for the opportunity to try it.

  • Wow!! What an amazing review!!
    I would love to sniff all of these scents, but Virgin Lily of the Valley would be the first on , my skin.
    Thanks.

  • I love that he embraces roses — it seems to be thought of as over-done, under-done, or cliche so often. A good rose is hard to find!

    US resident — and, of course, I’m most intrigued by the Sultry Rose!

  • I read about Eric’s work sometime ago in a fashion magazine. I was so excited to hear he will come out with a set of fragrances. Who would be a better choice than somebody that works and a understands the beauty of flowers?
    Regal Tuberose sounds like a must try!

  • Quite a few years ago I wore Antonia’s flowers and then it became difficult to find. I am hoping the new Buterbaugh Floral Collection gave me that same feeling. I loved Eric Buterbaugh YouTube videos with each perfumer. I spent quite some time on the site and I think I would most like the white florals ..celestial Jasmine, regal tuberose and Virgin Lily of the Valley. The bottles are exquisite like sculptures. I am picky about my roses but Nancy’s review is swaying me
    I think if I had to choose one “I would cry on cue” as well so it is wonderful to know there is a set of all seven. Win or lose I intend to purchase it

  • thegoddessrena says:

    Regal Tuberose sounds fabulous but they all sound like they’re really well done. I’m in the US

  • bunchofpants says:

    OMG, I had a hard time reading the words once I got to the photo of the perfume bottles because they are possibly the most beautiful and elegant ever, each containing a different delicate hue. Never mind what they smell like, I want to put them on my desk at work so I can gaze upon them when I am stressed! I love Lily of the Valley, So Virgin Lily Of The Valley would be the first I’d want to try, but they all sound lovely! I’m in USA.

  • Elizabeth T says:

    Who better to start a floral perfume line and guide the creative process than such a creative florist! The pictures are impressive eye candy. Sultry Rose is the one I want to smell the most, since it’s from his private collection… but they all sounds fabulous. Thank you for this amazing and generous draw! I’m in the USA.

  • Good heavens That was some astonishing writing about fragrance. I’m imagining the fragrance that fills that ballroom and how it develops as the night wears on. What fragrance would one wear to such an event? I do enjoy a white floral with something to distinguish it, so Royal Tuberose it is. I’m in the US.

  • Wow, like one commenter already said – the photos are so beautiful!

    I’m definitely drawn to the Velvet Lavender because I’ve yet to find a lavender fragrance that I absolutely LOVE (yet the flower is one of my favorites).

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    It would be impossible to choose a single fragrance from those wonderfully described to try, but if pressed I would select lily of the valley. Lily of the valley has many memories of my maternal grandma. One of my favorite parts of this article is the evocative exploration of the new collection’s focus on florals. What a great idea. I live in the US

  • What an amazing draw! I am hardpressed to pick one I’d like to try most, but it may be the rose if only because it was labeled the most perfect rose! I also love white florals though, so many of these sound quite divine! Thanks for this great draw, I’m in the US.

  • I’m a floral girl and to make me choose just one is so hard!!! I have chose Regal Tuberose. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • It is interesting that while Eric Buterbaugh’s fame rests on his penchant for visual spectacle, he is also fascinated by the scent of flowers. I think I’d most like to try Celestial Jasmine (linden and jasmine and narcissus? Yes, please), but I’m also intrigued by Michelyn’s assessment that “There is nothing Virginal about” Virgin Lily of the Valley. I’m in the U.S., and registered.

  • What a brilliant pairing, to join the sensibility of a florist with that of a perfumer. I can’t imagine working with flowers and not having a very special relationship to their scent. I’d love to get a whiff of Apollo hyacinth and Velvet Lavender, especially. But if I must choose one, I’d say Apollo Hyacinth. I live in the US. Thanks!

  • I would love to try these, especially Virgin LOTV and Sultry Rose.
    It’s interesting that Eric is coming from the perspective of someone who has worked extensively with flowers–which are both the raw materials and the artistic aspiration of many perfumes. The whole line sounds elegant and glamorous!
    USA

  • What an amazing draw! I am really into my florals this summer. At first I thought the rose interested me the most, but the mention of lily of the valley; that’s one note that is missing from my rather large perfume collection. Thanks for the draw and info. USA

  • Florals in the warmth of summer need no provacation. The Sultry Rose seems to have caught everyones eye or should I say nose- mine included and would be my choice to try first!. These descriptions are wonderful and very inspiring when thinking about a perfume to try. Its one of those times where it dose not seem necessary to even sample before, you know it will not disappoint. Thank you for the draw, I am a registered US reader

  • Eric Buterbaugh Florals intrigues me and, like his fragrances, he seems “larger than life and whimsical, while always remaining elegant”. I would most like to experience Apollo Hyacinth.

  • sandipants says:

    the description of sultry rose has my interest piqued! plus, he looks so lively – i can only imagine his creations would express his energy! i live in the states. thank you for this draw!

  • Robert H. says:

    The idea of a master florist developing a line of perfumes, brilliant! It’s been done before the focusing on soleflors fleshed ou is genius! can’t wait to try them. I’d love to try either the jasmines or the lily of the valley, two of my favorite notes! I’m in the USA.

  • JazzBelle says:

    What an amazing draw! Love that a master florist decides to enter the world of perfumery. It’s just very fitting! I find his celebrity clientele extremely fascinating, including the King of Thailand and the British Royal Family!

    I love Lily of the Valley, so my favorite would likely be Virgin Lily of the Family.

    I’m in the USA. Thank you!

  • This sounds amazing! The collaboration itself is intriguing. Regal tuberose may be the one I’d most like to try, but they all sound great. I’m in the US, thanks!