Carner Barcelona Volcano Review (Jordi Fernandez) + Red Hot Draw

Landscape of Pariutín (Volcanic Eruption) by Ruffino Tamayo, 1947 ©Sotheby’s

Once upon a time in what we now call Catalonia men and women hunted woolly mammoths and painted murals in their cave dwellings. These Stone Age ancestors were the last humans to see a volcano erupt on the Iberian peninsula with all its fierce destruction, smoke, fire, and molten lava. They felt the heat, inhaled the fumes, heard the rumbling, and tasted the ash on their tongues. The recollection of the live volcanoes of Catalonia are a seed in the collective memory of the region’s people. Eleven thousand years after the last eruption the seed sprouted in the mind of Sara Carner and the idea for a new fragrance was born, Carner Barcelona Volcano, the latest in the house’s Black Collection.

Dancers of Cogul, Neolithic paintings found in Catalonia, reproduced by Abbé Breuil, ca. 1910 ©Enric Fontvila

About fifty miles north of Barcelona is the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Nature Park. Spread over sixty square miles there are forty ancient volcanoes. Visitors can hike (or better yet take a hot air balloon ride) over the park to see the lava flows solidified into basalt, isolated romanesque churches built in the center of craters, numerous waterfalls, and cliff-clinging medieval towns. The fury of the volcanoes has cooled and died, but their imprint is forever carved into the landscape. It wouldn’t be difficult for those visitors to close their eyes and cast their minds back into that collective memory to make the fire mountains come alive again. Carner Barcelona Volcano can bring you there, too.

Views of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone, courtesy Turisme Garrotxa

 

The founder of Carner Barcelona, Sara Carner, imagined the Black Collection as a celebration of the different cultures that shaped the Mediterranean soul. In 2016 perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux created the first three fragrances in this line: Sandor 70s, Black Calamus, and Rose & Dragon. In 2018 another Givaudan perfumer, Jordi Fernández, took up the challenge to create the fourth perfume in the line, Volcano. The family resemblance in the Black Collection is evident. All four share the similar features of nose-tickling spiciness, deep rose, earthy patchouli and balsamic frankincense, yet they are as different as my own four brothers. For example Volcano lacks the leather accords the other three have. Interestingly Carner Barcelona has an area of their website, “Perfume Fusion”, in which they suggest layering ideas for their fragrances. Volcano’s suggested partner is Sonia Constant’s 2011 leather powerhouse for Carner Barcelona, Cuirs.

The Volcano on a Starry Night by Dr. Atl, 1950 ©Museo Nacional del Arte, Mexico

In creating Carner Barcelona Volcano perfumer Jordi Fernández took the skeleton of the house’s Black Collection and set it on fire. The immediate opening is the sweet, honeyed rose, full-bodied and ready to burst. Very quickly the flames lap up as the spices kick in, like turning up the dial on a gas-fueled fireplace. The comparison is apt because there is a not-unpleasing terpenic aroma at this stage. The embers and ash of a wood fire have not come to the forefront yet. “Drying down” is literal in the progression of this perfume. As it wears Carner Barcelona Volcano begins to release its smoky frankincense blended with earthy vetiver and patchouli. The dry stage is very dry; it is sweet without being juicy. The final stages of the perfume mellow into a woody, balsamic skin scent. Jordi Fernández has recreated the life cycle of a volcano in the life of one perfume: lush flora, exploding fire, dry barren landscape, reforestation.

Jordi Fernandez at the Academia del Perfume in Madrid, courtesy Givaudan

Earlier this year the Academia del Perfume Fundación in Spain honored Sr. Fernández the “Patchouli Chair” among their exclusive group of “Académicos del Numero” along side perfumers such as Carlos Benaim, Olivier Cresp, Rodrigo Flores-Roux, and Albero Morillas. His work on three very different niche fragrances, Ex Nihilo Brompton Immortals, Carner Barcelona Latin Lover and Volcano undoubtedly helped him achieve this prestigious award. I am excited to experience the great perfumes he will create in the future.

Notes: Bulgarian rose, Indonesian nutmeg, Laotian red ginger, Indonesian patchouli, Indian cypriol (a.k.a. nagarmotha), Somalian frankincense; Haitian vetiver, Spanish labdanum, Spanish cistus, Oud accord.

Disclaimer: Europerfumes generously supplied me with a tester bottle for review; my opinions are my own.

Marianne Butler, Senior Contributor

Carner Barcelona Volcano, courtesy Carner

Thanks to the generosity of Europerfumes the USA distributor we have a 50m testerl bottle of Carner Barcelona Volcano for one registered reader in the USA.  To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what strikes you about Carner Barcelona Volcano based on Marianne’s review and if you have a favorite Carner Barcelona Perfume. Draw closes 4/15/2019.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon @spritzi_mcgillacutty @carnerbarcelona and @offical_europerfumes

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47 comments

  • Interesting, I can't help but compare this with T-REX from zoologist, which is also very much volcanic inspired.  This sounds like a more wearable version.  I have not tried this house before.  USA.

  • For some reason I'm drawn to this because it's described as a skin scent in it's final stages. D600 from the house is a fave. US

  • From the house that gave us El Born ! Awesome and eagerly looking forward to trying this. Thanks!!

  • Sounds really nice, the name “Volcano” is intriguing to me, also that mix of notes could be awesome. I’ve smelled only one fragrance from this house named Cuirs and i liked it a lot. Thanks for the chance, US.

  • bigscoundrel says:

    Volcano sounds like it takes the wearer on a journey while going through its stages of sweet to spicy to smoky to woody. I like Carner Barcelona's El Born. I'm in the USA.

  • I love the idea behind the conception of the Black Collection. The Mediterranean culture is definitely one to boast of its vibrant antiquity and kudos to any perfumer daring enough to try to capture the essence of this archaic fire. I think the spicy, balsamic nature of Volcano described in this review is what appealed to me most. As of now, I still have not tried any fragrances from Carner Barcelona, so having a chance to win Volcano would be an excellent step in this direction. Thanks for the giveaway and great review! I'm in the USA.

  • I haven't heard of this house before but Volcano sounds exciting.  The description of the drydown is what most interests me.  Thanks for the review and giveaway.  In the USA.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Volcano starts with sweet notes but eventually tries to reflect the notes that are truer to the name of the perfume, with smoky elements. It looks like Fernandez's work is gaining wide recognition. My fav. from Carner is D600. I am in US.

  • Marianne’s description of the terpenic aspect has really piqued my interest in this scent. That and the fact that it comes from Carner Barcelona, a house I happen to love. My favorites are El Born, D600 and Tardes but I really want to try Botafumeiro too! I’m in the US and would love to give Volcano a try. Many thanks for the review and draw.

  • Sarah Beth says:

    Smoky like a volcano… What a great inspiration and thanks for the background on the perfumer jordi Fernandez 

    I own Latin Lover 

  • Volcano sounds like it smells like the bonfires we gathered around at camp. I'm loving all the notes, especially the Laotian red ginger. Please count me in. USA 

  • I don't have a favorite from this house, but this sounds crazy amazing. I love the.notes and I love the concept.  Ginger, frankincense, rose,and patchouli oh my.  Loved the review and thanks for a generous draw.  I'm in the USA

  • Love the artwork, especially "Volcano on a starry night:.  I was not aware this line was doing a "black line".  Been a bit busy with buying/selling a house, vacations, etc.  Gotta get more up to date on what is coming out.  I have not been to their website, I need to check out their layering section. M y favorite from the line is Tardes.  The notes of this sound amazing!! Thanks for the chance.  USA.  

  • andalabanda says:

    I like the idea of a perfume evoking the four stage of a volcano erruption. The very dramatic way Marianne describes it made me imagine this perfume performing the eternal cycle of violent death and ressurection of nature, in an almost mythological way. I would love to see how this is done. My favorite Carner is El Born. USA.

  • Marianne, well-done review!  I live in an area with Volcanos and they have a very distinct and extinct energy This statement got my attention immediately. “Drying down” is literal in the progression of this perfume. I am a lover of this stage. I also look forward to the future work of Jordi Fernandez! Congratulations to him on the earlier honor, well deserved.

  • I've never smelled anything from Carner Barcelona. But I love the description of the DNA of all their fragrances – All four share the similar features of nose-tickling spiciness, deep rose, earthy patchouli and balsamic frankincense. I like that Volcano lacks the leather note and on the drydown it's sweet without being juicy. It sounds like a nice woody, resinous fragrance.

    I l ive in the USA.

  • saadfragrance says:

    Smoky , earthy patchouli , rose and honey it sounds like it will smell like heaven my favourite from the house is d600 would love to win , from the u.s 

  • doveskylark says:

    I never knew there was a volcanic park in Spain. What an amazing source of inspiration. I can see how the rose, ginger and frankincense represent the heat and the smoulder of a volcano. And I love that this can be layered with Cuirs, one of my favorites from this house. 

    I live in the USA.

  • Great review.  I really like the idea of the volcano erupting and the scent mimicing that.  I love smokey scents and this one sounds like a real winner.  I also love rose oud and honey so all this with a smoky accord sounds great.  Thank you all for the draw.  Live in the USA.  I have never expeirence Carner Barcelona perfume before so this would be a real treat.

  • d3m0lici0n says:

    What a really great concept, I've never seen a perfume that relates to volcanoes! Really creative. And it is smoky, patchouli and vetiver??? Of course! I'm interested!!!!

    I would love to win this one. I live in the US

  • Love Rose and patchouli fragrances!  This one Volcano sounds amazing.  I would love to try it out.  Thankyou for the chance to..USA

  • WaltherP99 says:

    Even through i'm familiar with Carner Barcelona , the Black Collection i have never smelled.

    D600 is the best one from Carner Barcelona from the ones i know-to me at least.My girlfriend loves it on me-bought me a bottle.I do like Palo Santo too , but performance is not good on my skin…at all.Oh’ –  D600 is full bottle and Palo Santo is 10ml decant.

    Sweet rose , honey , frankincense with vetiver and patchouli ? Count me in pls.
    I allready follow @cafleurebon ,  @carnerbarcelona  , @spritzi_mcgillacutty and @offical_europerfumes
    Thank you for this draw.

    Virginia 

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    What a great review and interesting concept. I’m quite intrigued by this one and would love to try. I’m always a sucker for rose. Throw in our and honey and I’m in. Thanks for the giveaway. In the USA. 

  • I've been to Spain a couple of times – Madrid and Valencia , but never been to Barcelona. I have to admit Garrotxa Volcanic Park looks stunning . Interesting backstory we have here. Bulgarian rose , sweetness,  patchouli and frankincense no doubt Volcano sounds good. 

    I was curious about Carner Barcelona mid 2018.Saw a few YouTube videos mostly about Palo Santo and D600. I presume the 2 bestsellers.  To be honest I was not impressed . There is one fragrance that "Shook me all night long"  called El Born. Usually I don't like buying fragrances without proper testing,  but El Born shook me so hard , and I was like "Get my money asap". I'm also happy I got 100,and not 50ml bottle. 

    Appreciate the giveaway campaign , and fine job Marianne Butler did.

    USA 

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    First time I hear of this house 

    Love its notes. Id love to win this!

    Miami Florida Thanks 

  • Dubaiscents says:

    I love the idea behind this scent, I have had an affinity for volcanos since the eruption of Mt St Helens that left a thick coat of ash over my grandfather’s farm. I also adore smoky scents!  I have tried many scents in this line but haven’t found the perfect one yet. I have a feeling this could be the one! Thanks for the opportunity, I live in the US. 

  • Thanks everyone for the comments. Carner has many great fragrances, hope you all get a chance to try them out. 

  • The black collection scents all sound very interesting, and I would love to try this one  spicy and with a dry dry down. I had no idea on the volcano park in catalan, how fascinating. I'm in the US. 

     

  • I think this struck me …’The final stages of the perfume mellow into a woody, balsamic skin scent’. It’s quite fascinating even though I’m not familiar with Carner Barcelona Perfume.

    i live in USA 

  • What peaks my interest about the review of this fragrance is it is described as a sweet but not juicy and balsamic fragrance sounds awesome. My favorite perfume by this house is D600 

    I live in the United States

  • This is an interesting fragrance. Don’t think I’ve tried something like it and don’t have much experience with Carner Barcelona. Only smelled El Born. Like to check this out. Thanks US

  • damianachi says:

    I have only recently started to become interested in sweeter fragrances and the fire-like quality of this one appeals to me. The volcano inspiration makes it even more intriguing. Thank you for the draw! I live in the USA.

  • I know the name Carner Barcelona , and I watched a few YouTube reviews , but I never had a chance to smell their creations. 

    The idea behind Black Collection is interesting. As a kid my dream was becoming archeologist.

    Smoky rose with honey , woody and balsamic base combination picked up my interest.

    Thanks for the generosity , and Marianne for the article.

    In Us

     

  • What strikes me is the opening of the sweet, honeyed rose, full-bodied and ready to burst! Sounds lovely! My favorite would be El Born. USA

  • Barcelona is such a great city full of happiness and joy. Carner Barcelona is a house every fragrance lover should explore. Pretty sure everyone could find pleasing fragrance suited for her/his needs. The one I found was Ambar Del Sur , and of course the reason was Sebastian’s review for Cafleurebon. I was intrigued because of his review, sampled it and bought it soon after. As far as I know so called Black Collection are limited edition line , but I could be wrong. Sweet without being juicy? So dry honeyed rose, spices, frankincense and also balsamic? Nice job Marianne hyping it up. Thx to all involved in this draw . Cheers from VA

  • Nose tingling spiciness….sounds great.  Also smoky rose.  Thanks for the great article Marianne.  I've not tried this house.  In US

  • Great review by Marianne! Volcano sounds amazing and I love the name for this. The idea of a Black Collection and Volcano rounding it out is awesome. I love that it is recommended to layer it. The only thing I have tried from this house is Cuirs. Thanks for the generous giveaway and I live in the US!

  • I'm going on a business trip to Barcelona mid may for a week.I'll try to find some time , so i can visit Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Park.I do have acrophobia , so NO  balloons for me.

    Balsamic sweet rose with smoky base – pretty good cobination of notes.

    The only fragrance that i own from Carner Barcelona is 100ml of Palo Santo.
    Many thanks Cafleurebon , Europerfumes and Marianne Butler
    USA

  • IvanVelikov says:

    I knew the name Carner Barcelona because of Cafleurebon and Youtubers , but up util last week i was not aware how great El Born is.Went to a team building and a guy was wearing in. It's almost unreal , and i'm not a guy you could impress so easily .

    I'm waiting for my april bonus , and i'll get it 100% . 

    Obviously i can't speak from personal experience , but Volcano sounds pretty good with woody, balsamic smoky rose scent with honey. Sounds like a special occasions type of fragrance.

    Enjoyed the review , and thanks for the giveaway 

    Usa

  • fleurdetilleul says:

    Sounds like the winner is going to be really lucky! This fragrance seems amazing! Not entering.

  • I just watched a youtube review that gave high marks for El Born. I have not had the good fortune to test a  Carner Barcelona fragrance but this review caught my attention with the historic take of an erupting volcano. I empathise with the ancestors that must have lost relatives in that eruption but I'd still like to give this fragrance a spin. I'm in TX USA

  • The dry stage is very dry; it is sweet without being juicy. This sounds very intrigueing. Would love to win the drawing and give it a try. My favorite fragrance from this fine house is El Born. Cheers from the USA!

  • Excellent review by Marianne. I like her expression with…life cycle of a volcano in the life of one perfume: lush flora, exploding fire, dry barren landscape, reforestation. What amazing transitions this fragrance must do. My favorite from Carner Barcelona is El Borne. I live in CA, UA! Cheers and One Love!  

  • Love the imagery picked for the review! I was afraid it would be too dark and smokey but I love that it opens with the rose scent. I've never tried anything from this house, so I don't have a favorite. I live in the US. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Wow! This sounds interesting, and I love the bottle.

    Great Review, and thanks for the Giveaway!

    love from Germany

  • Carner appeals to me, across the board, they are Perfumes with integrity and this includes every note that strikes a chord with me, fantastic review, thnak you. I would love to try this bottle, I live in France.

  • Carner appeals to me, across the board, they are Perfumes with integrity and this includes every note that strikes a chord with me, fantastic review, thank you. I would love to try this bottle, I live in France.