Scent of mirage, Hiram Green Arbolé Arbolé

Some perfumers, especially when they create for their own brand, tend to work at their own pace. Since quality stuff requires time we’re happy to wait & we do so with some excitement and anticipation, believing that it will be rewarded with a magnificent fragrance. After a couple of years we get accustomed that some of our favorite creators introduce their new ideas only once a year. Said that imagine how much I was caught by a surprise when I found out that Hiram Green is introducing a new perfume, second one in 2016, after Dilettante that was launched this summer.

I think nobody expected that (except Hiram himself) but it was a happy news to wake up to. I didn’t have to wait long until I received a package from Gouda, with a sample of Arbolé Arbolé inside. Being honest with you – I was afraid to review it, as Megan. But when I smelled it I was electrified! It was a pleasurable swoon from the first whiff. Not only I didn’t smell patchouli but it smelled completely different compared to some comments at Now Smell This. Therefore please keep in mind that this article is very subjective and I might be absolutely wrong with the notes.

Arbolé Arbolé by Hiram Green in my opinion opens with a deep, dark red roses that prominently engulf you with their rich aroma. Their scent is almost oily, waxy right after spraying and becomes smoother, velvety in a short period of time. It is then followed by a handful of oriental spices with a gingerbread undertone. I find cloves to be especially accentuated and I think there is some cinnamon too. The first one blends nicely with roses to recreate the impression of carnations.

After some time the perfume becomes resinous & balsamic with a lot of patchouli, a note meant to be a central point of Arbolé Arbolé. Then again – to me it smells more balmy rather than earthy or like rotting leaves. In fact, it’s kind of honeyed (in animalic way) on my skin. Later the perfume develops a woody facet, presented in a very sophisticated manner. I smell mostly sandalwood. Substantive, with good density and richness. It’s warm & embracing with the advantage of smooth qualities. There’s also a bit of cedar wood but due to beautiful sandalwood I just tend to overlook it.

Drydown of Hiram’s new fragrance is just as pleasant as its earlier parts. There is a lot of tonka going on, effusing a delightful and mouthwatering scent that is a combination of something creamy, warm-spicy and a bit nut-like. Everything is topped by a rich vanilla accord that has some darkness to it as well as some balsamic properties too (at least in my case). To me it smelled kind of like benzoin, nice and cuddly, with some fluffiness too! What’s not to love here?

I tried to ask Hiram if he could confirm if my impressions are right or not. He gave me quite an enigmatic response, I will share a part with you:

As you know, the fragrant notes are just meant to give you an idea of a scent story. If you smell something else, that is fine too. I find that once you mix different fragrant materials together, especially some of the essential oils you end up with smells that are very different from the two ingredients you started with.

Hiram Green Arbolé Arbolé is a beautiful perfume. It’s also instant love for me, I definitely smell some more of it in my future. As for all-natural fragrance, Arbolé Arbolé has an extraordinary longevity and very good sillage. I’m always amazed how is Hiram doing it, all his creations are really long-lasting while natural blends are usually weaker than those enhanced with synthetics. Arbolé Arbolé comes in eau de parfum concentration and it’s available in 50 ml bottle. The brand also offers new 10 ml travel sprays now. You must try this perfume as soon as possible.