Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Volupté, Sonoma Scent Studio, Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois and Sonoma Scent Studio Equestrian Reviews (Laurie Erickson) +3 You Should Be Wearing Draw

Laurie Erickson of Sonoma Scent Studio

Sonoma Scent Studio perfumer Laurie Erickson possesses an undeniable peerless scent signature. Her recent Bee’s Bliss was one of my top ten fragrant releases of 2017 – but there are many more beauties from which to choose and make your very own. This trio just happened to fall under the ‘mixed media’ classification; her naturals are also an aromatic pleasure. Here are three I adore and wear regularly,Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Volupté, Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois and Sonoma Scent Studio Equestrian.  They differ significantly from one another, and I’ve received only enthusiastic compliments from all age groups and ethnicities while wearing them – how rare is that? Whether you crave a plummy vintage ambery rose, a sparkling sandalwood aldehydic floral with chypre undertones or echoes of hay and the cider house floor, it’s a win-win. Let’s go!

Elizabeth Taylor holding roses publicity shot

Rose Volupté, composed in 2012 is a beautiful example of how to rework a perfume when certain materials are no longer available while retaining the character and feel of the original. It’s more of a tweaking in the best sense. When the labdanum Laurie used for her Vintage Rose (2008) became unobtainable, our perfumer looked upon this as an opportunity to revamp: remove patchouli, add a dash of aldehydes, oakmoss, heliotrope, new floral murmurings.  Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Volupté is expansive, curvaceous and warming: plums and cinnamon contribute a luscious quality sans compote. The aldehydic touch is just enough to lift it all and create a sheen, while oakmoss’ inkiness insinuates its depths. This is a smoldering fragrance I’ve shared with friends over the past five years and one which is always welcome. Rose Volupté Notes: Rose, plum, amber, labdanum absolute, sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, heliotrope, clove, cinnamon, oakmoss,

Marilyn Monroe sipping champagne Bert Stern 1962 (From the Last Photo Shoot)

Some folk view Champagne de Bois as homage to Ernest Beaux’s Bois des Isles (Chanel). It’s NOT the same scent: side by side, Laurie’s perfume is brighter, fresher, verdant and spicier. True enough, they share the presence of aldehydes, jasmine, sandalwood and vetiver – but there the similarity ends. Champagne de Bois explodes with a vibrant cocktail of blindingly scintillant aldehydes which whinny in on their own chariot, heralding a profoundly spicy woody fragrance with appreciably less floralcy than Chanel. Laurie makes vetiver sing in a rich baritone, a vibrating cello accompaniment which enlivens the perfume’s balsamic coloration. It’s an orchestral piece with a lingering drydown, a sort of fragrant Beethoven full of emotion. If you shy from sillage or attention – well, you’d choose something less dramatic, I suppose. Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois Notes: Aldehydes, jasmine, clove, sandalwood, labdanum absolute, vetiver, amber.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onnasis  photo via wiki

Equestrian was one of my favorite fragrance releases in 2016. Nature lovers everywhere appreciate the veracity it evokes: sun-dappled fields of hay, a wealth of coumarinic goodness and so complex; the apple accord resembles a French natural apple melange redolent of the ciderhouse. Leather is inferred and suave, elegant as a well-oiled bridle. The fullness of jasmine sambac and violet play well off of drier woods and grassy tones – along with the loamy whisper of patchouli which rounds out our painting of this pastoral scene. There is a tanginess inherent in Equestrian, a variant of fragrant umame. It’s sophisticated, never snobbish – and its longevity will surprise you: long after you’ve forgotten its presence, it will re-emerge throughout the day. It smells just right, every time you anoint yourself. Sonoma Scent Studio Equestrian Notes: Apple accord, grassy notes, hay absolute, leather accord, jasmine sambac absolute, violet, labdanum absolute, Virginia cedar, patchouli, New Caledonia sandalwood, benzoin.

The perfumes come from my own collection. My nose is my own…

Ida Meister, Senior Editor

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

Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Volupté, Sonoma Scent Studio, Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois and  Sonoma Scent Studio Equestrian photo by Laurie

Thanks to the generosity of Laurie Erickson of Sonoma Scent Studio, we have a draw for a sample set of Sonoma Scent Studio Equestrian,  Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Volupté   and  Sonoma Scent Studio Champagne de Bois  

PLUS

the unclaimed  17 ml bottle of Sonoma Scent Studio Bee's Bliss from our Best of 2017 Awards for one registered reader in the U.S.​

Please be sure to register.To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Ida’s reviews of the "3 you should be wearing" and her review of Bee's Bliss here, which appeals to you the most and you favorite Sonoma Scent Studio fragrance. Draw closes January 20, 2018

There is no Spilled Perfume for this draw.

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our RSS feed

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 × 1 =

37 comments

  • fazalcheema says:

    Equestrian particularly caught my attention. It seems a new kind of leather fragrance with earthy and floral elements and it has tremendous longevity. Bee’ Bliss, as the name hints, has beautiful honey accord. My favorite SSS creation is Tabac Aurea. I am in US.

  • Bee’s Bliss sounds like the perfect antidote to the winter blues! The 3 samples all have such different characters, but each one sounds beautiful! I’m in the US. Thank you for the draw!

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    Love this house!! I have the beautiful Tabac Aurea and the smoldering Winter Woods! Curious about Bee’s Bliss and I am ready to place an order for Forest Walk! Ida makes her words sing off of rhe page, a symphony for the eyes.
    I am in the USA.

  • I’d like to enter for the bottle of Bee’s Bliss, not the samples, because I actually have an order of Sonoma Scent Studios samples headed my way 🙂 I own a few of Laurie’s scents in my collection (in the smaller sizes!), and I could see both Equestrian and Bee’s Bliss being new additions. Bee’s Bliss’s notes list reads like a list of my summer note favorites, and I’m eager to try it. Honeyed fragrances always have a place in my “wardrobe”!

  • Bee’s Bliss sounds amazing and of the three featured, I like the sound of Champagne de Bois. I habven’t tried anything else from Sonoma Scent, but I certainly am interested. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Do not enter me- I have a bottle of Bee’s Bliss (and Equestrian and Champagne des bois – are we scent twins, Ida?) and I have sampled Laurie’s entire range. I encourage everyone to enter and to sample SSS I’d you haven’t had a chance!!

  • heartandsoul says:

    I like that there is no demographic for these…everyone enjoys them. Bee’s Bliss sounds like a dream! Bonus that it was created in honor of a beloved pet.
    Tabac Aurea is stunning, so I can only imagine the artistry in the others. I could use a shot of summer in this cold, gray weather. Thanks for a chance!

  • Elizabeth T says:

    I’m so happy to see Laurie’s work highlighted. She is one of my very favorite perfumers, and Champagne de Bois is on my Top 3 of All Time perfume list. I also love Tabac Aurea, Cocoa Sandalwood, and Bee’s Bliss. Really, you can’t go wrong with any of her fragrances. I’m not sure I’ve tried Rose Volupte, or else it’s been a while… I’ll have to visit/revisit that one soon! Thanks again for the article about SSS. 🙂

  • Each fragrance has its own character. I’ve been wanting to try this House out. Bees Bliss is one of like to the most. Thanks Ida for bringing this article and House to us. I believe she deserves to be highlighted
    From California

  • Unclaimed Bee’s Bliss……how very sad. I don’t miss a day reading this website. I suppose the rose appeals to me most, probably because there are a dozen rose bushes in my front yard, and shockingly there are still a few blooms out there. Champagne de Bois interests me because I do not shy away from sillage or attention (my full time job is being front and center as a sign language interpreter). The interesting thing is that when I think my fragrance is “gone”, I might be working and as my arms move about I catch another whiff. I am not familiar with this line. Thanks for bringing it to our attention….again. I think my New Year’s resolution should be ordering samples from a different house each month of the year. Better than dieting!!! Thanks!!!

  • Elizabeth N. says:

    I love Ida’s description of Rose Volupté as expansive, curvaceous, and warming. Its one of my favorite scents of Laurie’s, and I cherish my bottle, as well as my decant of Vintage Rose. I love Bee’s Bliss- I bought a small bottle of it blind, and I will be buying a full bottle very soon! It’s love…

  • Ahhh Champagne de Bois was my first love from Laurie’s line a number of years ago…and I love it still. Bee’s Bliss is the latest addition to my collection– to me it’s sunshine in a bottle; the loveliest of green mimosa glory and honey. I don’t know Equestrian…I don’t know how I missed this one! I have a number of SSS perfumes; I cherish each one.

  • My favorite SSS reviews are the Bee’s Bliss and Equestrian reviews, where you emphasize what how Laurie invokes nature by painting very specific natural settings. I’m particularly intrigued by Equestrian – I’m terribly curious about how an apple accords works with leather! Rose Volupte also sounds beautiful, I love the idea of an “inky, insinuating” oakmoss.

    These reviews are an interesting contrast with your recent reviews of Tom Ford and Comme de Garcons, which invoke abstractions like cosmopolitanism and modernity.

  • No need to enter me, as I have all of these fragrances, but I just had to add my praises to the rest…this woman is a perfumer extraordinaire. We’re all so blessed to have her supremely talented presence in the fragrance community!

    Pacific Forest is bliss in a bottle for me.

  • Ida’s reviews capture the sensuality of fragrance and do justice to Laurie Erickson’s mastery of the craft. I love Bee’s Bliss. It’s like walking around wrapped inside a garden, a most welcome sensation in winter. Please enter me in the draw, as I only have the travel size. There is no Sonoma Scent Studio creation that I do not like. My favorite–besides, perhaps now, Bee’s Bliss–is Nostalgie. I hope Laurie never stops making it. It is an adult perfume with great depth and beauty.

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    Laurie is a genius and a master. Every single one of her perfumes sing to me. I have owned and drained many full bottles over the years (Champagne du Bois being one of them) and agree with Ida wholeheartedly that her three picks are gorgeous. The gorgeous sunny orange blossom-ness of Jour Ensoleille is my holy grail fragrance. I would be in heaven if I were to win Bee’s Bliss as having recently tried it I can agree with Ida’s lovely review of it. Thank you for this generous draw. I reside in the USA.

  • doveskylark says:

    I read the review of Bee’s Bliss and I was touched that Laurie made the perfume as tribute to her cat. I can understand the inspiration here–basking in a bed of flowers like a cat. The fragrance that appeals to me most is Equestrian. I am very interested in trying a perfume that has hay and apple notes. I also love horses. I haven’t tried anything from this line.
    I live in the USA.

  • Equestrain sounds wonderful! I am so in love with hay notes in perfume – I just cant get enough.
    Please add met the sample draw if it is available worldwide. I am in Melbourne Australia

  • ChanteusedesIles says:

    Sonoma Scent Studio is my favourite niche American line I have tried so far! I was lucky enough to get a sample of Fig Tree, Champagne de Bois and Jour Ensoleille in a swap and I love them! Champagne de Bois is a perfect cold weather perfume that beautifully sparkles in the snow and leaves a warm and luxurious memory on scarves and sweaters! Fig Tree is gorgeous and ripe and milky and I love it in spring & summer, I think Laurie really has a talent with transporting you to specific locations with her perfumes 🙂 I think Jour Ensoleille smells exactly like a warm and sunny day in golden hay field in late summer/early fall and is a beautiful white floral with a tangible honey note. I have rich memories of riding horses when i was a girl/teenager and I’m dying to try her Equestrian because it sounds amazing! I think she does something very special with honey,so I would love to try Bee’s Bliss (Apricot & peach! Lilac! Jasmine!) I live in Canada, (but if allowed to enter, my brother can mule it from the US!) I really hope Laurie opens up her shop internationally, her work is so beautiful 🙂 Thanks!

  • Malka Gittel Bas Reuven says:

    Bees Bliss sounds like the antidote to my frozen pipes and chapped lips! Equestrian sounds like the leathers that I love, and I am up for it.

    I’ve never had the opportunity to try SSS fragrances and I dearly want to.

  • Champagne de Bois sounds lovely, as I adore all those notes, and a for bee’s bliss, i can’t ever get enough summery scents that aren’t too heavy. Jour ensoleille is a beautiful orange blossom. Wonderful reviews, thank you!

  • Sleepylizard says:

    I’ve heard so much about SSS fragrances…there certainly was a lot of buzz about for Bee’s Bliss. Champagne de Bois sounds heavenly.
    I’d like to enter the draw for the sample set. Thank you
    Australia

  • I’ve sampled Rose Volupte and Champagne de Bois and rather enjoyed both. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Champagne de Bois as I’m not a huge aldehyde fan but Laurie really made them sing in that composition. I am definitely intrigued by Equestrian reading Ida’s description of the apple and hay notes. Bee’s Bliss was on my radar after the last review. I live in the U.S. and would be happy to own any of those scents!

  • Bee’s Bliss caught my attention from the moment I heard about it here on Cafleurebon. I love to see how different perfumers interpret nectar and buzzing bees and this one is definitely at the top of my sample list. Ida made the three samples sound so great, although I already know and wear champagne de Bois. The Equistrian sounded very different and like something I might enjoy. Thanks for the reviews and the draw. USA

  • Champagne de Bois appeals to me the most because of the notes and juicy description. I haven’t tried any SSS fragrances. Thanks for the chance! USA

  • Equestrian and Bee’s Bliss both sound awesome, like the respective epitomies of Autumnal and Vernal. I have not yet tried any SSS fragrances but they both sound awesome. Champagne ce Bois has been on my radar for a while.
    Thanks for the reviews and draw!
    USA

  • Bee’s Bliss sounds absolutely amazing, i would truly love to sample this one! Of the other three, Equestrian actually has notes that I think I would prefer – though based on just the names Rose Volupté caught my eye.
    I haven’t yet tried any SSS fragrances but I very much enjoy reading about these niche fragrances and their houses. I have purchased several based on reviews I’ve read here at CaFleureBon and love that I am stepping away from mainstream perfumes – I definitely don’t wear the same perfume as everyone else.
    I’m in the US – thanks for the draw!

  • I haven’t had the chance to try any of the fragrances offered by Sonoma Scent Studio, but their reputation and presence in the fragrance community has often caught my attention. In my search for the perfect camp-fire fragrance, Sonoma Scent Studio’s “Fireside” and “Fireside Intense” were often recommended. In addition to these two, Winter Woods and Forest Walk sound evocative of their namesake and are on a short list of fragrances to sample in the near future.
    If Laurie Erickson’s offering of Bee’s Bliss is anything like her previous offerings, I’m sure the honey note will be most interesting. In addition, Champagne de Bois sounds uplifting and warm which is my kind of fragrance.

  • I feel fortunate to have another chance to try Bee’s Bliss! The vision of capturing a summer day and the memory of a beloved pet in fragrance is wonderful. I am a rose lover but possibly I love aldehydes more, so Champagne des Bois is super intriguing to me. I have long wanted to try SSS fragrances but never have. I’m in the US. Thank you!

  • “Laurie makes vetiver sing in a rich baritone, a vibrating cello accompaniment which enlivens the perfume’s balsamic coloration.” This is a beautiful sentence only Ida could write! I don’t have full bottles of any SSS fragrances, but this article just inspired me to dig out my sample of Winter Woods and spritz it on! Bee’s Bliss with its promise of peach and apricot, makes me think of spring, which isn’t so far away, really, is it? I live in the U.S. and would be absolutely honored to get to sample four of Laurie’s scents in one go.

  • ida’s reviews use the beautiful word “anoint” more than once. It is poignant to think that these scents have a divine resonance.

    I have smelled and sampled SSS fragrances just a few times, when they were worn and shared by fragrant friends. I would be so pleased to try any of the scents offered in this generous draw, they all have a special appeal. Then it would be delightful to share them with others who love scent as much as I do.

  • Amy Leonhardt says:

    Her descriptions are so helpful in imaging the scents. I love that she made a perfume as a tribute. It sounds perfect for a lazy summer day, but Equestrian is making me the most excited. I wish wonderful things for Laurie. —California

  • I love the attention paid to the ingredients in these reviews. I am sad to know that Laurie is moving beyond SSS but happy for her, and I wish her the very best in her future endeavors! I too hope that someone knowledgeable and skilled takes over SSS. I’d love to be in this draw, thanks for doing it.

  • I’m sad that Laurie is moving on, but I hope she enjoys her newfound freedom and stays active in the perfume community. Bee’s Bliss and Equestrian have both tempted me since I read about them here because I love honey and hay, and an homage to Bois des Iles sounds pretty great too. My favorite SSS fragrance is Fireside Intense. I’m in the US. Thanks for the drawing!

  • Of the three recommended, Champagne de Bois holds most appeal for me as I love clove and a spicier, less floral version of the Chanel. As per Bee’s Bliss, honeyed murmurings! I have tried several ‘nectar’ perfumes this year and none have met my fancy, but I have hopes for this one with its addition of soft sweet fruits, and it is the one that I would choose of those listed. I did sample SSS Sienna Musk some years ago and remember also enjoying the clove note present. I live in the US and thank you for this interesting draw.

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    Of the three fragrances in this review, Equestrian pulls me in, with jasmine sambac and violet, woods and grassy notes. Sounds truly lovely. Bees Bliss sounds like comforting summer bliss, as I tend to gravitate towards anything reminiscent of a meadow. Heartfelt thanks for making these available. USA