Natural Perfumer Hiram Green and his new limited edition Voyage
Hiram Green, ÇaFleureBon Best Natural Perfumer of 2014 (along with Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics) left London to start his own perfumery in the Netherlands, and describes his new limited edition Voyage perfume as “An ode to the exotic mysteries of India, our new fragrance is as atmospheric and thrilling as a Mysore street market and as opulent as Octopussy's floating palace on Lake Pichola.’
Maude Adams in James Bond Octopussy 1983
Voyage is definitely atmospheric and about as opulent a fragrance I’ve encountered all year. Which is quite a feat for two reasons: one, it is an all-natural perfume with tremendous longevity, note presence and sillage, and two, because the fragrance proves that you can achieve an intricate, rich and plush perfume from just a few high quality ingredients.
Maude Adams and Roger Moore as James Bond 007 Octopussy 1983
The perfume opens with some light, powdery citrus notes that quickly rise up and give way to an absolutely decadent amber and suede heart. The base of Voyage is a pure, deep, extracted vanilla that extends along the floor of this scent like the largest and thickest Oriental carpet. But it’s really the suede note that elevates Voyage from the rank and file of feminine vanilla and/or amber-based scents. Think of an immaculately tailored but worn suede vest, deep brown or black that fits your frame like a second skin. That’s what the suede note in Voyage does for the amber and vanilla in this scent – enveloping them perfectly with a creamy caress of mysore sandalwood that pops in and out like one of the gorgeous women in Octopussy's lair.
Roger Moore and Maude Adams in Octopussy 1983
Amber and vanilla are sometimes overused and overdone in scent. In Voyage, that gorgeous suede backdrop immediately introduce your senses to how rich, supple and deep the amber and vanilla can be; these are not flabby, synthetic, syrupy offerings. The amber has just enough of a rough, smoky edge to allow it to be a shadowy counterpoint to the sweetness, and the madagascar vanilla punctuates and extends the base of this scent. If you think you’ve run your course in gourmands or amber-based scents, Voyage will re-orient your senses to why you love these kind of fragrances in the first place. Again, the power in this fragrance cannot be overstated, especially for a natural perfume. On my skin it lasted for at least eight hours, with only a slight diminishing in the note strength and sillage at the very end. It hummed and purred along wonderfully all throughout the day. The warm, sensual vibe Voyage imparts has to be one of the best travelling companions I’ve had all year.
Inside Octopussy's lair: Film was set at Taj Lake Palace, Lake Pichola, Udaipur
As in the swoony over the top white floralcy of Moon Bloom and the vintage chypre vibe of Shangri-La , Voyage shares Mr. Green’s signature elegant style; it’s a sophisticated, deep, and technically masterful work. The nose is drawn not only to the decadent and sumptuousness of the ingredients themselves, but to how they are defined and harmonize with each other. In its reference to Octopussy’s amazing floating palace, instead of announcing gaudy wealth and parading luxury at the expense of taste, Hiram Green's Voyage offers a rich, decadent and finely-appointed fragrance that is a cut above the amber/vanilla fragrances that clutter the market. I don’t know if my dream house would float on Lake Pichola, or if I am cut out to be a Bond Girl, but if I ever had the chance, I would smell like Voyage. You’re going to have to seize opportunity when it strikes – Voyage is a limited release of 250 bottles. There is a pre-order special, so my advice is to invest early with your favorite scent realtor.
Pam Barr, Senior Contributor
Thanks to Hiram Green, we have a generous draw of a deluxe 5 ml sprayer to a registered reader anywhere in the world (you must do this or your entry won't count). To be eligible, please leave a comment with where you live, what you enjoyed about Pam's review and Hiram Green perfume or your favorite Bond Girl . Draw closes, October 28, 2015.
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