Photo by Ellen van Unwerth  

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.   “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth

Prosody London Jonquil Jacinth via Prosody London

A perfume’s opening is a prelude to an unknown composition. Some start out quietly, mysteriously, like the first notes of a Mahler chamber piece, while others careen out of the bottle like pinballs, pinging against each other in mad, rapid succession like a Ramones guitar lick. There are the fruity-floral showgirls – all pizzazz right off the top, high kicking to a Broadway overture, and the bad boys smelling straight off of motor oil and leather in a rockabilly riff. But then there are those that open slowly, not giving away too many secrets until it is too late, and you are lost, swooning like a lover pulled deep into embrace as beauty washes over you. That is Prosody London Jacinth Jonquil.

 

 via wonderland magazine

The opening teases.  Prosody London Jacinth Jonquil initial wallop of rich florals includes a hyacinth note so intense you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a vintage Patou or Guy Laroche. But in a moment or two, the flowers begin to soften and delineate, and their intensity lessens. The hyacinth falls away, and in its place emerges the most life-like daffodil note I’ve encountered in perfumery. Every aspect of the flower is here; the overripe narcissus sweetness, nutmeg and crème brulee notes, the rawness of green stem, the buttercup warmth daffodils always seem to give off. Ylang ylang slinks into the background, trailing thick honey like a silk shawl. It’s like suddenly finding oneself wandering in Wordsworth’s vales and hills, puffy yellow clusters weaving in a warm breeze.

Keshen Teo, photo via Prosody London

The lushness of ylang and jonquil could become overwhelming, especially in the heat. But perfumer and founder Keshen Teo is careful to dot the perfume with dabs of herbs and citrus that lift the voluptuous notes. Juniper berry, while not easily identifiable as such, adds a subtle, minty undercurrent, like the trickle of a woodland stream. Bergamot – which I at first mistook it for neroli – splashes orangey brightness into the middle stages as the more herbal aspects of the juniper and the woods begin to peek out.

Photo by Dean Ryan McDaid

Once again, Prosody London has proven that an all-natural, organic brand can produce lovely, individualistic fragrances that are a match for the cleverest aromachemicals. Jacinth Jonquil is made with a generous dose of jasmine CO2, an extraction of jasmine concrete that is often light and gentle. Here, the jasmine lends a trill of girlish, almost green sweetness, singing of springtime. The interplay between the plush, honeyed flowers and the freshness of the jasmine is handled with great adroitness. Keshen captures the virginal newness of flowers when first in bloom and the lusty, fleshy blossoms of late Spring that let you know the sap is most definitely rising.

Jacinth Jonquil fades, as flowers do, at dusk. But reliving that gorgeous opening is such a sensual pleasure, it would be a shame to do it only once. It is like wearing the most gorgeous May day on your wrist, even in November.

Notes: Jonquil, jasmine, ylang ylang, bergamot, benzoin, juniper berry, sandalwood.

Disclaimer: Sample of Prosody Jacinth Jonquil kindly provided by Prosody. My opinions are my own.

Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

Prosody London Jacinth Jonquil, photo Prosody London

Thanks to Keshen Teo of Prosody London, we have a draw for a 10 ml bottle of Jacinth Jonquil for one registered reader worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment about what strikes you about Prosody London Jacinth Jonquil, where you live, and if you are familiar with Prosody London all natural, vegan perfumes. Draw closes 10/30/2020.

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