Phoenix Botanicals Lotus Pollinator (Irina Adam) 2017 ~ New Fragrance Review + Pondering Pink Lotus Draw

Lotus by Irina Adam©

2x Art and Olfaction (2016 and 2017) Finalist and Brooklyn-based natural perfumer Irina Adam treats us to yet another layer in her spectrum of exquisite ephemera – her latest perfume, Lotus Pollinator. Irina’s inspiration was fueled by her first sniff of the blooming pink lotus in locus while frequenting Hawaii. “A musing on this plant as a radiant world unto itself, perhaps as it would appear to a pollinator.” ~ Irina

Jan Brueghel the Elder

When I reflect upon Irina’s compositions adjectives such as delicacy, finesse and ethereal immediately spring to mind. Each perfume is possessed of an innate elegance and nobility; beguiling subtlety is her stock and trade, it seems.There is an abundance of tonal variation, a sense of movement, development within each one – a fleet footed passage into Irina’s fragrant micro-universe. Linearity is an unknown, and olfactory overdosing is unheard of. Lotus Pollinator is another baroque pearl in her botanical necklace (they are my favorite pearls, btw).

She revels in contrasting temperature, hue, aroma – and in so doing creates a singular seamlessness which feels absolutely intuitive. Zesty bergamot whets the olfactory appetite as discreetly floral Sencha tea sets a verdant table, coolly green with just a hint of astringency. These leafy elements are later darkened by base notes which arise from the damp, the primordial ooze: rhizomal filaments, earthy artichoke (among my favorite culinary/aromatic pleasures!) commingled with the arid depth of myrrh.

Irina Adam of Phoenix Botanicals photo from Irina©

Floral elements enmesh joyfully in this perfume: rose and carnation bear one another an inseparable affection, champaka‘s lilting voice imparts aromatic velvet tinged with tea, hay, vanillic/peach/apricot overtones. The pink lotus smells intensely flowery and honeyed with a sharply spicy verdant upper register. With all of these honeyed tones, plaiting Lotus Pollinator with pollen, honey, beeswax (a beloved animalic), vanilla and amber feels instinctive.

via tumblr

Pondering the pink lotus is lovely in itself: in Buddhism and Hinduism, the varied coloration of the lotus has particular significance, and the pink varieties symbolize the life and legends of the Buddha. “As the lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so I, born in the world, raised in the world and having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world.” ~ Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha

Lakshmi Goddess of Abundance 

In ancient Hindu texts – the Vedas and the Puranas – the lotus is central to creation. Lord Vishnu lay resting upon the serpent of eternity when he was awakened by the sound of the Universe, the vibration OM – and from his very navel blossomed a lotus flower. Several Hindu gods and goddesses are traditionally depicted either standing or seated upon the pink lotus: Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha himself. What delightful images to contemplate while anointing oneself!

Notes, Bergamot, infused sencha tea, green pollen, honey, champaka, pink lotus, carnation, vanilla, beeswax, amber artichoke, roots, myrrh

I’m very thankful to Irina for providing my sample! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor

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

Phoenix Botanicals Lotus Pollinator

Thanks to the kindness of Irina Adam of PhoenixBotanicals, we have a draw for a 5 ml bottle for Lotus Pollinator  for one registered reader  in the USA . Please be sure to register. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Ida’s review, a phrase or quote. If you have a favorite Phoenix Botanical perfume please let us know. Draw closes 12/6/2017

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

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14 comments

  • oldandsmelly says:

    This is what appeals to me about Ida’s review, “With all of these honeyed tones, plaiting Lotus Pollinator with pollen, honey, beeswax (a beloved animalic), vanilla and amber feels instinctive.” I love beeswax notes and amber.

    I do not have a favorite Phoenix Botanical perfume, yet. This could be it.

    I live in the USA

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Beautiful, beautiful review. This line spoke to me… and not just because you asked for a favorite line… it gave me pause and I truly appreciated it… “rose and carnation bear one another an inseparable affection…” It sounds like the line from a beloved novel. Thank you for this review. This is yet another one from Phoenix Botanicals I have to try. I’m glad I didn’t order my sample of Apple Iris Root yet, because now I have one more to add to my order. I’m in the USA.

  • I am from India and lotus is very tightly intertwined with daily and religious aspects of our life. It is a very delicately scented flower.

    I would love to try this.

    In USA.

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    Beautiful review for a beautiful perfume with beautiful notes (love lotus and champaca in perfume) “He was awakened by the sound of the Universe, the sound of OM”…my yoga teacher ends each class with the sound of OM..truly magical when we all chant and it resonates in the room. I haven’t tried any Phoenix Botanicals. I reside in the USA

  • “A musing on this plant as a radiant world unto itself, perhaps as it would appear to a pollinator.” I have tried numerous ‘nectar’ themed fragrances this year and not one would appeal to me if I was a bee. Hoping this one with its restraint and natural beauty will fit the bill. I have not tried any from this house to date but intend to soon, Peach Tree Garden also looks especially interesting to me. I live in the US and thank you for this chance. Happy Holidays!

  • Really heautiful review. Thank you Ida!!
    I liked comparitions with Hindu gods and goddesses!
    The perfume pyramid sounds floral beauty.
    I’ve never tested any Phoenix Botanicals.
    USA

  • Ida’s imagery is so beautiful. I love the references to Buddaism and Hinduism.” Pondering the pink lotus is lovely in itself: in Buddhism and Hinduism, the varied coloration of the lotus has particular significance, and the pink varieties symbolize the life and legends of the Buddha. “As the lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so I, born in the world, raised in the world and having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world.” ~ Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha” The notes of this perfume sound really divine. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • I’ve never had the pleasure of encountering a Phoenix Botanical fragrance, but this sounds amazing! Ida, you’re a magician with words, but this sentence caught my eye: “These leafy elements are later darkened by base notes which arise from the damp, the primordial ooze: rhizomal filaments, earthy artichoke (among my favorite culinary/aromatic pleasures!) commingled with the arid depth of myrrh.” I, too, love artichoke (and, in fact, the amaro Cynar is a favorite cocktail ingredient!) I live in the USA.

  • This is a beautiful review. The part that speaks to me the most: “Zesty bergamot whets the olfactory appetite as discreetly floral Sencha tea sets a verdant table, coolly green with just a hint of astringency. These leafy elements are later darkened by base notes which arise from the damp, the primordial ooze: rhizomal filaments, earthy artichoke (among my favorite culinary/aromatic pleasures!) commingled with the arid depth of myrrh.” As a visual person, as I read that I feel I am holding and smelling the perfume myself. It makes the experience of reading the review feel tactile. I love Irinas creations and my two favorites are Cacao Noir and Lilac Rain. Both are very sacred to me and I wear them on special occasions.

  • Irina’s perfumes are some of the most beautifully complex natural perfumes I’ve come across, and I have a couple in my regular rotation (LOVE Peach Tree Garden and Saffron Veil). I enjoyed Ida’s meditation on the lotus flower in the review, which seems to echo the nature of the perfume itself. I’d love to try this new creation – thank you for the generous giveaway!

  • Thank You Ida for this great review. I haven’t tried anything from this fragrance House. This Parfum sounds great. I really like the top notes on this. Would like to get a chance. Thanks U.S

  • Mary Stephens Mitchell says:

    Madame Meister perfectly marries with her words the description of the perfume and the source of its inspiration. It sounds absolutely delightful and a welcome tonic to the usual winter perfume fare. Thank you for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • doveskylark says:

    I like the words “beguiling subtlety.” I agree that Irina’s fragrances have that quality. I am a big fan of her Lilac Rain fragrance. I love to put the oil in my hair. There is a subtle earthiness to this fragrance that is indeed beguiling. I love lotus flowers so much. I once traveled to Kyoto in the heat of the summer to see the lotus blossoms at Hokongo-in Temple.
    I live in the USA.

  • Elegance and nobility 🙂 Lotus oil in and of itself sparks a light deep within my soul. I would love to try this one.