Perfumology Clutch Review (Justin Frederico) + Road Trip With The Boss Draw

The view from The Meistermobile as  she and B drove to Philadelphia to meet Nir Guy for the Launch of Clutch©

The open road: it stirs the blood in gypsies as well as inviting with crooked, curved finger the restless quotidian soul. Give a person a powerful engine, a smooth set of wheels and the intoxication of hurtling through space at many miles per hour while still earthbound and…I think you’ve grabbed my gist. Windows DOWN, wind whistling through your hair so fast you hear your pulse pound in your ears. It’s autumn, glorious season of change – and the day is sundrenched, crisp as the Macoun apples you’ve picked earlier in the day (rumbling about in the back seat). You are seated in a sweet ride.

The view from The Meistermobile as  she and B drove to Philadelphia to meet Nir Guy, Justin Federico and Tali for the Launch of Clutch©

Road trips are the best. While not a driver myself (unless you count driving a decrepit Rambler Rebel on bumpy dirt roads in upstate New York without a license!), I’ve lived with one who’s particularly passionate about it for 36 years and am an impassioned passenger – never bored, scanning the landscape for anomalies floral and faunal while singing softly and telling myself stories. 

Bruce Springsteen in Stolen Car 1980

Michelyn nailed it when she chose that particular image of The Boss in youth’s bloom behind the wheel. My mind follows suit with his balladic train-riff-bass lover’s torment – all delivered so coolly that his anguish is heightened:

Bruce Springsteen in the video  Fire 1984

“Sometimes it's like someone took a knife, baby
Edgy and dull and cut a six inch valley
Through the middle of my skull

 At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
And a freight train running through the middle of my head
Only you can cool my desire
Oh oh oh, I'm on fire”
~ Bruce Springsteen

Ida and Nir at the launch of Clutch
You can be The Boss behind the wheel. Perfumology Clutch, the latest fragrant lovechild of perfumer Justin Frederico and Creative Director Nir Guy – might be a fine way to get into that groove. The Perfumology boutique in the King of Prussia Mall is the familial labor of love of Nir Guy and his mother Tali – its shelves brimming with independent perfumers’ compositions now readily available to anyone who wishes to experience them, whether online or in their brick-and-mortar family-owned and operated concern.

 

Valentine's Day Bruce Springsteen 1987

With the release of perfumer Justin Frederico’s latest work, Clutch, Nir explores his passion for driving a fabulous stick-shift with the top down and inhaling his favorite autumnal-evocative aromas, the scents of the season and the open road. Man melds with machine, as comfortable as a luxurious leather-appointed auto interior or a well-loved leather jacket – and exhilarating as an adrenaline rush of acceleration and flooring that pedal. Nir is a clear-sighted man; he knows what he’s looking for and what the storyline he’s pursuing is all about. This is utterly refreshing, to my thinking. A fragrance is less likely to feel muddled if there is a distinct vision behind it and if the creative director and perfumer understand one another well – which in this case, they most certainly do. Perfumology Clutch is easy to wear, easy to love and smells distinctly itself without compromising quality.

Bruce Springsteen Born to Run

I’m like a bad dog when it comes to leather. For many years I entered Bergdorf Goodman’s and snorted the air hungrily avowing aloud, “If I were a dog I’d gleefully chew up every handbag in this joint” (some things never change). There’s that familiarly rich expensive leather note present in Perfumology Clutch, accented by the brilliant burst of spicy tonicity black pepper provides – amplified by elemi’s shimmeringly verdant/lemony/peppery prismatic hues which dry down to a woody balsam. Gingerlies at the heart of the matter, another chameleon material which may reveal any number of aspects: hot spice intensity, patisserielike gourmandise, woody warmth – or all of the above.

Ida at her laptop writing about Clutch

I detect a cardamom note, although it isn’t listed. Oak and red cedar are drily resinous with a complex palette (depending upon the source) – resonant of dried fruit, even almond and/or anise. Leather implied is delicately smoky and isn’t overbearing or raw; neither is the (synthetic) musk to which it clings affectionately. A vanillic base note contributes sweetness to a composition which in itself skews soft and tenacious with excellent longevity. 

Notes: smoke, black pepper, elemi;ginger,oak, red cedarleathermusk, vanilla

Many thanks to Nir Guy of Perfumology for the modules and my lovely new bottle (which I cherish)! And for the privilege of  being the Evaluator. My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior and Natural Perfumery Editor

~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to the generosity of Nir Guy and Perfumology we have one 50 ml bottle of Perfumology Clutch  Eau de Parfum available to one registered reader in the USA. Be sure to register or your comment will not count. To be eligible for the draw tells us what appeals to you about Ida's review of Perfumology Clutch, your favortie Bruce Springsteen song or tell us about your love of the open road. Draw closes 11/16/2018

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

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29 comments

  • This sounds like another winner. I really love Grange and am excited to try Clutch. Many leathers end up being harsh or leave me craving some sweetness, but it sounds like this is perfectly balanced with cedar and vanilla, and some mystery cardamom. I’d be happy with a fast drive in the Litchfield Hills along the Housatonic River listening to any Springsteen song.

  • I loved the way Ida described the images of being out on the road and then proceeded to link those images to the fragrance. Very interesting fragrance with other type of notes listed. Loved that she mentioned she detected cardamom, since it’s one of my favorite notes. My favorite from Bruce Springsteen is Racing in the Street. A classic! About the open road, I like merging the images of nature and smells and the sound of wind in my face, so relaxing.

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    Great review as usual. Love how described the images being on the road. My fav Racing in the street and a road open is so relaxing.
    Miami Florida Thanks

  • Another fabulous review Ida! This was my favorite part.

    There’s that familiarly rich expensive leather note present in Perfumology Clutch, accented by the brilliant burst of spicy tonicity black pepper provides – amplified by elemi’s shimmeringly verdant/lemony/peppery prismatic hues which dry down to a woody balsam. Gingerlies at the heart of the matter, another chameleon material which may reveal any number of aspects: hot spice intensity, patisserielike gourmandise, woody warmth – or all of the above.

    I have sampled Clutch and adore it, it brings back a very special memory for me.
    Years ago I had a candy apple red 350z. I used to take it out on a long deserted road to see just how fast I could go. The ginger and smoke in Clutch are invigorating, a wild ride. Then later the Leather, Vanilla and musk show up, a satisfied feeling of a wonderful time.
    I live in the U.S. Thanks for the generous giveaway.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Love the sound of this dry down! I love Ida’s description of what hints emerge from the wood (almond, anise, dried fruit), and just that the leather is subtle enough to be implied. I also love anything involving oak. I love a good road trip too, particularly mountain drives in the west, smelling of chaparral and dust and greenness. Thanks for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • doowtnehpets says:

    I like the part that she says it’s easy to wear, easy to love and smells distinctly itself. Sounds great. Favorite Springsteen song is Born in the USA. I used to sing it when I was a little kid. Didn’t know the irony of the song until I grew up.

  • I own Blyss and Grange! MUST HAVE CLUTCH! I do have a sample yet to be tried. Born in the USA is my fave. My open road is a trail through the woods on my horse. I still get the smell of leather but trade the machine for organic chemistry.

  • I don’t know. Reading about this fragrance reminds me of the late Mr. SIllage (Chris). Something about his upbeat attitude and slick Dean Martin vibe would have suited an advertisement for this fragrance. I love road trips (morose when I’m behind the wheel, sorry Ida), because they make me feel like Jack Sparrow. Captain of my ship with the open road before me. Thanks for the draw. Cheers from CT.

  • I had the pleasure of trying Clutch from a sample and it’s so accurately described here. Excellent Ida!!!! Fall is my most special season of the year. Memories of open road trips with my wife (our Anniversary falls in late September) to the wineries in the Finger Lakes and experiencing apples, grapes, wine, and the scent of smoldering wood from our fireplace at the bed and breakfasts we visited. Scents like this really warm my heart. Thank you for the draw. (Kenneth)

  • Nice review and nice reading. I would love to test Clutch, i think it’s pretty good and i like those notes, black pepper, ginger and vanilla, just perfect. Thanks for the chance. As for the Bruce favourite song , must be Street of Philadelphia, that song is pure gold. Oakland CA

  • Lovely review, and reading about Bruce reminds my of high-school, where I did see Bruce on concert. Love road trips especially in the summer when you can roll down the windows and turn up the radio. Would love to try a leather scent, this one sounds nice and balanced. So many fav songs, now I can’t get that one out of my ears! One of my favorites is Nebraska. Thank you for the generous draw, I’m on the US, originally from the midwest, and meant road trips.

  • This stuff sounds pretty great. Leather, wood, resin, and musk are some of my favorite notes. This fragrance sound soft yet manly, and who wouldn’t want to smell like Bruce Springsteen looks. Though I might image his scent would be a little more dirty. And I can defiantly relate to wanting to chew on some nice leather. Great review Ida, and you cant go wrong with Glory Days.

  • The description in the final paragraph made this fragrance personally appealing upon reading. I do like the song Fire, not I’m on Fire, but Fire. usa

  • I love thinking about a stick shift car with the top down and smelling the aromas outside. How about my little Miata? I would love to try clutch and so would my husband.! I live in the US. Thank you.

  • What appeals to you about Ida’s review of Perfumology Clutch are the “hidden notes”. I’m a huge fan of cardamom! (and leather) What I love most about the open road is the fresh air blowing all around me and releasing all my worries into just enjoying the drive with my favorite tunes on. Arkansas

  • Great review, Ida! And congratulations, Nir! The fragrance sounds amazing, chock full of notes I love like elemi, leather, ginger and smoke. Fantastic concept.

  • Hope the launch went well. Clutch sounds great, I hope there is cardamom in the fragrance. I love me some cardamom and of course the corrugated box and presentation is awesome. Born in the USA. Thanks

  • Great article! I have been very interested in perfumology since Mr Sillage spoke so highly of their fragrances. I definitely need to try this one out I am hearing alot of good things around the fragrance groups! Congrats on the new release and thank you for the giveaway! If I ever find my self up in Pennsylvania I am definitely going to check out the shop. I will definitely order a sample soon. Keep up the good work! I am in the USA in AZ.

  • I love the notes in Clutch. I am a big fan of leather fragrances. This review made me think of my youth when I used to lock myself in my room and listen to records all day. I particularly remember listening to Bruce’s “Darkness on the Edge of Town.” I loved the song “Candy’s Room” so much. I used to dream of road trips and freedom and seeing the world when I listened to that record.
    I live in the USA.

  • m.r.everything says:

    First and foremost, I am a car guy! I love cars and anything to do with them! I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t also a fragrance lover… you throw the two together and it is a match made in heaven! I had the pleasure of getting a sample of Clutch just the other day! This one is a definite winner in my book! I absolutely love this one and it WILL be in my collection! Every one of Nir’s fragrances have been absolutely stunning! From his super generous and humble personality to the amazing collection of fragrances he carries, Nir is a standup guy and is willing to help anyone in need of finding the perfect scent. He is growing his portfolio not only with the fragrances he normally carries, but with his own line as well! Each one tells a different story and Clutch is just another part of Nir’s story! And boy is it a story….. I absolutely love the vanilla and oak in this fragrance! This is truly one of the best fragrances I have been able to sample this year! (And I have sampled quite a few this year) Congrats to Nir and Justin for their amazing work and I am already excited for the next work of art this creative team will come up with! Thank you, as always, for this very generous opportunity! I live in Newark, DE!

  • I enjoyed Isa’s review as always. I love that the perfume is easy to wear, easy to love and smells distinctly itself without compromising quality.
    My favorite Bruce Springsteen song has to be, Street of Philadelphia. My hubby made me love it because he was always listening to it.

    I live in California.

  • Love this article! I grew up in the area where Bruce lived so it was an even bigger deal when he rose to fame.
    I live in the USA.

  • Not a car guy – a bike girl here.I’m a free spirit ,and love the road.Just like Nir Guy i know what i’m looking for, and because of Ida’s review i want to sample Clutch .
    Streets of Philadelphia is my favorite Bruce Springsteen song.After all Philadelphia is such a great movie.
    Cheers from VA

  • I’m not into contry music , but miss Meister review gives me “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson type of vibe 🙂
    I do live the notes , the review was positive and on top off all i do own Blyss and i really like it.Now the price of all 3 is $95 , but when i bought it the price was a bit a bit less – $85.

    “Born in The USA”is the one .
    Virginia

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    What a great name for a perfume. I’ve driven a clutch for the past 20 years, and you just feel more connected to the road as compared to an automatic. I love that about the name… it’s kind of like a club (no offense to those who haven’t driven a manual)… such a cool sounding perfume. I love driving the open road with a clutch and the windows open, especially in autumn. Great review, Ida!

  • Another wonderful review by Ida and this one sounds like a true winner! I love Blyss and am looking forward to Clutch. I love the smell of leather. The notes of smoke, black pepper, musk, cedar, and vanilla sound perfect for this time of year! Thanks for the draw and I live in the US!

  • I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ida’s reviews. You really “see” the fragrance that she is writing about. The notes on this are definitely ones that I enjoy. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA.

  • Love the review and yes I think the Bruce Springsteen imagery fits in so so we’ll! My guess was that it would have a lovely leather Accord and I was not disappointed! My favorite Springsteen song is Born in the USA. I live in the US.