Bohemian Spice is pretty much a patchouli soliflore from the get-go, but with an awesome, herbal, camphor-filled opening stung by a hit of orange. The orange is more gourmand than cologne-like, the patchouli giving off a bit of a cocoa vibe as it tends too, but never quite turning edible. The camphor is enhanced a bit by a lavender/rosemary type smell – softened with a hint of powder, with the “spice” being a touch of cloves.
The herbal opening softens pretty quickly (a side to natural perfumery that often puts many off – it has a tendency to be rough and pretty aggressive up top), and as a vanilla/benzoin/amber joins the patchouli – it seems to overtake it a little bit and leads to a relatively linear drydown. I like a good patchouli/vanilla drydown and this is one – I do kind of wish that Bohemian Spice went in a slightly different direction though as I feel like I’ve smelt good examples of this kind of thing in many other fragrances, Von Eusersdorff’s Classic Patchouli to name another.
However, lovely quality – after the hard-hitting opening: a little, soft, comfort scent that clings to the skin for a good few hours longer than expected – sweet, creamy, and classical – a really easy to enjoy patchouli.
I love the start to Precious Woods as I expected a big, faux-oud accord and got a pine-y, resinous, bitter, herbal, incense thing! The pine isn’t softened into a jammy, forest scent like usual, and instead is again camphorous, herbal, with a sticky texture and a black colour. It’s surprisingly light from the start though, nowhere near at least as dense as it could be (should be?). Underneath is a bone dry cedar and a fantastic sandalwood smell, nothing like the syrupy Lutens’ interpretations that I’m all too used to smelling these days (and admittedly love!).
Here, the smell is a subtle waft of wood chippings, a hint of smoke and a bit of forest-floor… basically it smells like camping. Precious Woods gets translucent very quickly, and remains a linear, woodsy cedar/sandalwood combo with just a touch of vetiver and patchouli in the base - the camphorous and high-pitched qualities in the opening vanish within minutes. Ok so I like it, but again I feel I need a little more. Maybe I’m not entirely used to the simplicity of these fragrances (a line signature it seems). This is about as straightforward as it can get – relying on great quality naturals to survive in a market surrounded by other good wood (and pine) fragrances.
All in all, a fragrance that starts very nice and ends a little minimal for me – whereas Bohemian Spice I can forgive because that vanillachouli is just so damn delicious. Both however, great reference fragrances for sure – an easy way to identify certain characteristics in fragrances genres for a newbie whilst experience awesome quality. I think I prefer my naturals to be laden with florals – and there are thankfully some fab ones in this line up I’m yet to write about…
Bohemian Spice 30ml EDP April Aromatics – 189 Euros www.aprilaromatics.com
Precious Woods 30ml EDP April Aromatics – 169 Euros www.aprilaromatics.com
They don’t sound like my think but still they sound like worth exploring. I think Unter den Linden would be my favourite.
UdL is really nice – Calling All Angels remains my favourite I think but some of the florals are great. Still though, very simplistic, not too sure how they stand up against other high end natural brands like Aftelier… I guess it’s all down to taste. Still, these are fun to explore.
I am LOVING the packaging. Now of course I want to try them all,
Portia xx
Have you tried any of them yet Portia? They’re very simplistic but fab quality – they do for me what I’m so JCE does for others, if that makes sense.
I get you and no I haven’t tried them yet. I haven’t even got through one tenth of my holiday buying and gift backlog. You’d think with all this new stuff I’d be going crazy but, no, I keep putting the same six or seven frags on my skin.
Portia xx
Haha! I’m riddled with envy
But I guess I got the shopping out the way on my holiday. Since then I’ve moved aparmtents and have zero luxury spending money! No joke. I’m seeing my fragrances drop in volume and am crying :’)
You’ll become more experimental as you get used to them I’m sure! 
x
Well, enjoy all your new goodies Portia
Yes, I think it’s just a phase. I’m worried that maybe I caught Birgit’s frag monogamy, or as close as I’ll ever get.
Portia xx
Dear Thoughts
The Dandy is with Portia on the packaging and Lucasi and yourself on the members of the line that sound the most interesting.
The problem with good vanillapatchouli is that there’s awful lot about and much of it not nearly so dear as this – all inall I can’t say I’m too tempted.
Shame, lovely packaging as though Stark were doing Acqua di Parma these days.
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Definitely! This is definitely a good one, but for the price I wonder whether I’d rather 100ml of Von Eusersdorff’s powerful offering
Still, let me know if you get your nose on these!