Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York (Jerome Epinette) – New Perfume Review + Snow In The City Draw

Flash Back in New York, official photo

Snow is cascading sideways in white sheets, the few lone souls on the wintry streets clutch their coats to their necks and trundle over the ever-deepening banks to reach … home. The night blows and whistles, arguing homelessly with itself. In the extreme cold, even the cars seem to huddle under the traffic lights. But enter a lit doorway, where the warmth hits you in the throat like a gulp of Irish whiskey, shake the mat of snow from your hat and shoulders, trailing traces of city dirt and damp, and breathe in the indoor smells of booze, damp leather, sweat and distant bar smoke. Working with creative director Celine Verleure of for the first time, perfumer Jerome Epinette grabs it all and bottles it into Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York, a lovely, heartfelt perfume collage of smoky, boozy, warming notes that somehow also breathe wet city asphalt, damp woolen hats, sweat and snow.

Snowy Day over New York City

Flash Back in New York is Olfactive Studio’s second fragrance, after Still Life in Rio, to choose a city and its architecture as inspiration. New York has a definite fragrance persona, even though it has, to my mind, shifted subtly over time. As it begins, Flash Back in New York mingles a striking mineral aroma, aqueous note and bittersweet melon rind with a waft of high-class perfume. I have a moment of startling, fleeting familiarity: a 1960s 5th Avenue, wet with snow, slush kicking around stockinged ankles, the golden beckon of store lights in the snowy gloom. But that retro quality quickly fades in favour of an  assertive jacket leather note that moves forward, bringing with it some smoky birch tar and herbal aromas.

New York City – Snow at Night – Empty Street and Lights

What is that smell that city snowstorms have? In the New York where I grew up, it was the commingling of spicy-rubber smell of tarred streets, vegetal steam rising from manholes, cigarette ash and middle- aged barrooms, damp wool, car exhaust, catches of perfume, smoky, doughy traces of the pretzel and chestnut vendors that have recently packed up and gone home, the last New Yorkers to call it a day. Flash Back – while it retains a few of those echoes — brings me to a more modern place.

New York City, East 9 St.

The second stage is all about honeyed, boozy, good-time, saloon lights warmth. Some full-bodied, velvety violet sweeps in, followed by milky-sweet tonka. And, although there are no wood notes listed,  Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York has a spiritous, casky richness that brings bourbon oak barrels to mind. That saturated wood is kept in check by a piercing green note – papyrus in concert with – that cuts through the whisky and tonka. The cleverness with which Epinette teases out specific facets of certain notes – the car mineral-smoke from birch, the green crackle of papyrus, the wet wool aroma of tonka and violet meshing together – allows the perfume to suggest specific city aromas that tug with aching familiarity for anyone who has spent a snowy day in midtown.

New York City – Snow – Janus – East Village – Restaurants

In certain moments, Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York is like a sense memory of an older New York: icicles glittering like tiny Chrysler buildings from store awnings, expensive perfume drifting from fur-stoled shoulders over the wilting garbage and cigarette butts of the sidewalks. The tonka bean, asphalt and violet feel like they belong to that time. But then, the middle takes over, and modish leather, craft whiskey, and cumin and sage aromas from a dozen fusion restaurants brings me to the New York of Vivienne Gucwa’s evocative photos.

New York City Snowy night

As I write this, snow falls on my own city on the first day of Spring. So, rather than grumble, I will let Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York remove me to the pitch of a Manhattan blizzard with its contrasts of damp air and wool, its doorway havens of light, and boozy, sweaty, we’re-all-in-this-together smells. And I’ll welcome that last, poignant pull of winter before Spring blooms.

Notes: Cumin, clary sage, white linen, saffron violet, Tuscan leather, jasmine, birch smoke, papyrus, vetiver, tonka bean.

Disclaimer: Bottle of Flash Back in New York generously provided by Olfactive Studio. My opinions are my own.

Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

All photos by Vivienne Gucwa© with the exception of the bottle (Robert Greco) and Michelyn’s photo taken March 21, 2018 

Olfactive Studio Photo Flash Back in New York by Roberto Greco©

Thanks to the generosity of Olfactive Studio, we have a 100 ml bottle of Olfactive Studio Flashback in New York for one registered reader in the U.S., EU or Canada. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what strike you about Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York based on Lauryn’s review, where you live and if you have a favorite Olfactive Studio perfume. Draw closes 3/26/2018

Michelyn braved yesterday's blizzard  (photo March 21, 2018) to scribble  "I Love NY"on a windshield covered with snow and took this photo

If you recently endured a snowstorm in NYC or elsewhere let us know. We are still digging out here in N.Y.C.and everything is slush and melting

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon and @olfactivestudioparfums

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

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46 comments

  • Oh my, we had our share of snow also! Timing is everything however; it’s supposed to be spring!!! Flashback sounds like the perfect fragrance to wear after digging yourself out of the snow, along with a blanket and a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea.Thanks and luck to all, I’m in the USA. The pictures in this article are beautiful!!!

  • Richard potter says:

    I love your description, Lauryn. Makes me wish I was there, enjoying the NYC snow. I was enjoying Close Up the other day. USA

  • I love this bottle a lot. Always wanted to test this juice but never got the chance so this might be the right time 🙂 I live in the EU, thanks for the draw.

  • What a wonderful vision the writer paints through this perfume. I am originally from NJ and once got stuck at amtrack during a blizzard. Yep we went to a bar and drank whiskey. My favorite from Olfactive Studio is Panaroma with ombre indigo a close second
    I live in the USA

  • fazalcheema says:

    Lauryn gives descriptions of her past memories in NY and says Flashback in New York tries to capture the relatively modern aroma of NY though it also offers hints to the past. It is the second perfume from Olfactive Studio to pay tribute to a city after Still Life in Rio. I live in NY so I experience all NY snowstorms 🙂 Today, it was a nice sunny day, quite a contrast to yesterday’s snowfall. Thanks for the draw. My favorite from Olfactive Studio is Still Life which I got in 2012 or 2013. I live in US.

  • First thank you Cafleurebon for another awesome giveaway !!

    Lovely article and some beautiful pictures ,In Canada we have plenty of snow storms,these year we had a pretty bad one I live in far north so it gets crazy,the wind blew the snow in the direction of our cabin door all nite when i opened my door in morning I had a snow wall around 6 feet tall blockin us in it wasnt really thick but was a spectacle 🙂 My daughter jumped right threw .

    This fragrance has a very interesting note list im very intrigued,the bottle design for these I do like… nice and minimalist,I have tried a few fragrances from the house, still life in rio and Chambre Noire are definitely my favourite out of the 6 ive tried,i look forward to testing this soon.

    Thanks for giveaway and Lauryn for the article.

    Snowy Canada here !

  • Oh my, the snow is captivating and the article is such a New York scene. I do not have any scents from Olfactive Studio but the one sounds amazing. Thank you for the chance. I love the picture of the girl in the clouds. I live in the US.

  • Sergio Teixeira says:

    Sadly I don’t know the house, but was completely transported by Lauryn’s review of Flash Back in New York. NY is one of a kind. I think is the only city in the world that everyone knows even if one has never set foot in America. Stellar review. Live in Portugal

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I haven’t smelled anything from this house before. Honestly, I’m not so sure about this one. The description of an “older” New York, might be good, but manholes, tar and damp wool? I’ve never been to NY, so maybe it’s one of those things that you have to experience to really understand. The photos are beautiful. I’m sorry you are still having winter! I can relate, we got another cold snap and may get some snow/slush on Saturday. The article makes me want to pour a whiskey right now. I guess the groundhog was right. Thanks for the chance. US.

  • Hello
    What really striked me Is white linen note ! Is this visible note ? Is that what Lauryn’s said on contrasts of damp air and wool , I do not know and I’m excited to smell It ,I love the Still live in rio by olfactive studio especially In these days In kelsterbach , Germany

  • I don’t have a favorite Olfactive Studio but what struck me about Flash Back to New York was the sense of dichotomy between the boozy war notes against the raw damp side. I’ve been to New York a couple of times and the first thing you notice when leaving Grand Central is the smell. I don’t mean this in a bad way…New York is a transformative place and this offering from Olfactive Studios sounds about right for its name. Thanks for the giveaway Cheers from CT.

  • Really liked the part with “a lovely, heartfelt perfume collage of smoky, boozy, warming notes that somehow also breathe wet city asphalt, damp woolen hats, sweat and snow.” My favourite from this house, Lumiere Blanche, has also this smoky, warming aura, so I would like to see how Flash Back in New York compares to Lumiere Blanche.

    I am from EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • This. Sounds. Fantastic. – I’ve never been to New York, but these notes call my name, and so does your emotional description! I’d love to win this to Germany and put the bottle next to the fantastic Ombre Indigo (among the best top notes ever).

  • ElenaChiss says:

    I love the idea of Flash back in New York because to me sounds like a melange, a mixture between old and new, something vintage and modern, like fire and ice. All the notes also sound really, really good so I am sure that this one is a winner.

    I am currently living in EU where it is now as snowy and cold as in the pictures from this article.

    Thank you!

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    The name, the notes and the photo appeal to me….brings me back to my childhood and young adulthood living in NYC….

    I have been affected by four storms in the past three weeks and will be happy to say goodbye to winter and snow!

    Favorite Olfactive Studio is Lumiere Blanche

    I reside in the United States.

  • I love smoky boozy scents, and the addition of honeyed coziness sounds lovely. I haven’t had the chance to smell any Olfactive Studio perfume yet. Thanks for this chance!
    We’re lucky here in Paris that we haven’t had snow storms like in NYC. Hope everyone’s fine!

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Thanks for this draw! I live in Austria, actually we had snow and cold for weeks, but now its getting better, but it is still too cold for this season. I have been in NY always in summer, but I loved it. My favourite perfume from OS ist Still Life in Rio. I live in the EU.

  • Just Add Light says:

    Smoky birch tar, bourbon oak barrels and a leather jacket – this is my kind of fragrance. My fav from the house has always been Chambre Noire, although I’ve never had a chance to sample the entire line. In this one, the papyrus note is definitely going to evoke the feeling of cement, in addition to the two familiar notes in Dior’s Fahrenheit – violet and leather – mixing with the birch tar/cumin to simulate the smell of gasoline or car exhaust. But with the addition of tonka and green notes, I can sense this being very well rounded.

    Just from the notes and colour, my initial impression was that this was a relative of Gucci’s Guilty Absolute. However, from Lauryn’s review, the transitions from start to finish suggest a more interesting composition, though retaining the same daring facade. Smoky – rough – creamy, what an excellent juxtaposition. And being quite familiar with snow up here in Canada, I can appreciate the inspiration just the same.

  • I have experienced my share of NYC storms, none recently. I have always enjoyed Chambre Noire from this line. Not sure what a middle-aged bathroom is though. US

  • I have some similar memories of NYC as does Lauryn. Loved the prose along with the beautiful photographs. I’ve not tried anything from Olfactive Studio, but its been on my list for a long time. We’ve had snow where I live which paralyzed the city for five days, but nothing recently. I’m in the USA Thanks for the draw.

  • I have heard a lot that New York is kind of a sweaty city :).
    The review made me want this fragrance. Sounds very masculine and this is the reason why it attracts me. I love all the imagery it awoken in Lauryn’s mind. And I like all the perfumed notes. I guess it should be very interesting.
    I never tried an Olfactive Studio scent before.
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • First of all I am impressed by pictures- nice and ” live”.
    I enjoyed review and especially liked “Olfactive Studio Flash Back in New York is like a sense memory of an older New York: icicles glittering like tiny Chrysler buildings from store awnings, expensive perfume drifting from fur-stoled shoulders over the wilting garbage…”.
    USA

  • It’s been snowing yesterday and today where I am. And the forecast says expect a white Easter, oh well. The only rescue is to wear a perfume that is smoky and boozy, just like Lauryn Beer described Flashback. Some people don’t like cumin and saffron in their fragrances, not me.

    I live in the EU

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    Love these notes: Cumin, clary sage, white linen, saffron violet, Tuscan leather, jasmine, birch smoke, papyrus, vetiver, tonka bean.
    Id like this to be my first Olfactive studio perfume

  • Thank you, Lauryn for this realy wonderful review.
    Especially I liked your own olfactive impressions of NY- “..spicy-rubber smell of tarred streets, vegetal steam rising from manholes, cigarette ash and middle- aged barrooms…”
    My favorite Olfactive Studio’s perfume is Woody Mood.
    USA

  • Very nice review. This fragrance is sounds very interesting from the base of the review. I have never tried anything of Olfactive Studio perfume. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    I’ve never been to the iconic New York, even though I plan to visit someday. Lauryn’s article managed to create a vivid image of a city full of contrast and fast paced life.
    Here it’s the same, lots of snow and quite cold. Trying to warm up with a hot brew in my hand.
    My favorite Olfactive Studio perfume is Ombre Indigo, a very good leather scent.
    Thank you the giveaway. Flash back in New York sounds amazing.
    I live in the EU.

  • Never been to New York, but at least I could sense the smell of it through this composition, so that is nice, Most of the notes do sound great, like leather, cumin, jasmine, birch, vetiver…I am curious now!
    I haven’t smelled any of the brand’s perfumes, unfortunately. I live in the EU.

  • I haven’t lived where it snows for a few years and I find myself missing it. Those pictures are great and make me remember trudging through the snow in the city. This fragrance sounds much better and boozier than the snowy days I remember but I’d love to give it a try. Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US.

  • DespinaVnt says:

    This beautiful article makes me wanna visit NY even more, a dream trip indeed.
    I live in Paris, France (EU), and the weak snow of the week before gave its place to higher temperatures but also to constant rain.

  • fleurdelys says:

    I have yet to visit New York and try and an Olfactive Studio perfume, but Flash Back in New York sounds magical. New York is indeed a city that never stops. Birch smoke, papyrus and tuscan leather sound very appealing to me.
    Thank you for a generous draw.
    I live in the EU.

  • Great review and NY snow sounds beautiful. Would like to go there one day to really experience NY. I like Olfactive Studio but the only one I’ve tried is Still Life and I Love it. Would like to try this one out. Thanks for the giveaway. Califonria

  • I love fragrances that are based on cityscapes, and I love leather fragrances so this one really interests me. My favorite Olfactive Studio scent so far is the original Flashback. I’m in Cincinnati, OH, USA

  • New York City is incredible, isn’t it? I was born in Brooklyn and remember those snowy winters. I vaguely remember there being snow for Easter weekend. This article really recreated beautiful memories. The fragrance sounds so intriguing and complex. I’d love to get my hands on a sample of it.

    I live in Pennsylvania.

  • WaltherP99 says:

    Boy oh boy …”‘Honeyed, boozy, good-time, saloon lights warmth. …followed by milky-sweet tonka. …spiritous, casky richness that brings bourbon oak barrels to mind. …papyrus in concert with – that cuts through the whisky and tonka.” Count me in
    Love Olfactive Studio house-own 100ml of Chambre Noire , and small decants of Still Life in Rio,Selfie and Ombre Indigo and i like a lot Close Up.
    The only thing i don’t like about Olfactive Studio is changing the bottles – older bottles like my 100ml Chambre Noire both look and feel much better…imo.Just like Xerjoff with their new bottles-same mistake…for no reason.
    It’s super cold in VA , and it was super cold and windy in London last week.
    Virginia USA 95% ot the time and London UK from time to time

  • The article is beautiful, a little vignette of this celebrated city. New York City is the subject of many an enduring love affair, the muse for artists and authors like Woody Allen, Lethem, and Whitman. We see the city itself treated like a living, breathing character, her mysteries and contours explored in short stories and screenplays. I have been to NYC once, at the end of winter, and I am curious to see Olfactive Studio following in this tradition, trying to capture a facet of the city in the fleeting realm of scent, as poets and writers have tried to with words and paper. I have not sampled any of Olfactive Studio’s offerings, but their aesthetic is intriguing.
    I live in the EU; thank you again for the generous draw!

  • Own Still Life In Rio, and it’s one of my favorite summer scents. With its smoke, herbs, and booze, Flash Back In NY sounds like a fantastic winter compliment. Live in US.

  • doveskylark says:

    I love the comment about we-are-all-in-it-togther scents. That’s what I like the best about NYC–even though there is definitely a disparity of wealth, there is something inclusive about NYC. And weather conditions, for sure, are one of the greatest equalisers. I love Still Life in Rio. As someone who spends a lot of time in Brazil, it definitely captures the exuberance of the city and the country.
    I live in the USA.

  • Wow…This whole piece is very evocative . Places, weather, temperature, environment, just everything. If the scent is half as evocative it is definitely worth exploring!

    And based on my experience with Lumiere Blanche (which I quite adored) I can believe the hype. That scent was like a summer breeze coming in from the ocean bringing a surprisingly cool edge to sunbaked warmth. The play of temperature in particular was so interesting to me! So going from colder outdoors to warm cozy indoors sounds like a feat that can be accomplished by the same house, and also an interesting, enjoyable journey–one I’d love to walk.

    USA
    Thank you for the review and draw!

  • I am so glad this fragrance attracted so many lovely comments! I really do think it is perfect for cold weather — it is just sumptuous and warming enough while also retaining, for me at least, that undercurrent of winter just outside the door. I hope you all get a chance to try it.

  • Dear Lauryn thank you for the lovely review! Although I have never been in New York you have taken me to NY with this flashback review of yours, bravo!
    ¨like a sense memory of an older New York: icicles glittering like tiny Chrysler buildings from store awnings, expensive perfume drifting from fur-stoled shoulders over the wilting garbage and cigarette butts of the sidewalks. The tonka bean, asphalt and violet feel like they belong to that time.
    I loved the notes, the bottle and the amazing pictures from snowy New York, a city I would love to travel to.
    Unfortunately I have never experienced any perfume from Olfactive Studio house, hope I have the chance.
    Thank you for the lovely review and draw. I live in EU.

  • Always loved the Olfactive Studio line and the smell of the wet asphalt is a great smoky scent. Although we don’t see snow or extreme cold weather a good cold scent is needed in all collections. Thanks for the draw from Hawaii.

  • I visited NYC just once and it was in extreme heat, so I cant imagine its smell in winter. But the description is so attractive and overall – fragrance that contains saffron, cumin, birch smoke and linen notes just can not be bad! I would like to participate in the draw, I am from the EU. My favorite Olfactive Studio Scent is Still Life in Rio.
    Thank you Lauryn and Olfactive Studios!