What’s commendable about Bulgari‘s tea scents isn’t so much that they offer a literal representation of the smell of the drink – which, to varying degrees, they all do – but that they evoke the air of world-shunning refinement – the sense of pausing all activities for a biscuit and a brew – that ought to mark every tea-drinking ritual. Even though, so far, each of the fragrances in the series has brought a slightly different sensibility to the table – the original, trend-setting Vert (1993) is friendly, Blanc (2003) is romantic and Rouge (2005) is energising – they all know the correct way to hold a cup and saucer. I’m pleased to report that the latest colour to be invited to the soirée – Daniela Andrier‘s Bleu – also performed well at its finishing school. Here, alongside the much-copied green tea accord, lapsang and iris contribute a dry, but not haughty elegance, an unforced murmur of sophistication. The requisite citruses are present, but they never attract undue attention to themselves. And the woods in the base are as cool as they are subtle. The result is the most tranquil member of the set, a quiet, gentle conversationalist, preferring the occasional, sage interjection rather than a steady patter. And even if, towards the end, it starts projecting a thinness that makes you question whether it might have skipped the ‘never overstay your welcome’ classes at Villa Pierrefeu, it doesn’t slips into being offensive. Somewhere, on a plush liner, Mrs Moore is passing a slice of lemon to Professor Godbole, and the scent surrounding them is not unlike that of Thé Bleu.
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Currently in Glasgow & House of Fraser didn't appear to have this; going to Edinburgh tomorrow so will try Harvey Nicks & Jenners; I live in Aberdeen which is a fragrance wasteland! When Vert was launched & could only be bought from Bvlgari stores, & I couldn't have afforded it then in any case, I was in Lon & asked to smell the fragrance. I was welcomed in, despite my (very) casual attire, given a glass of fizz & presented with a sample of Vert in a miniature replica of the full-size bottle, contained in a small box which initially opened like a book, explaining all the ingredients, the choice of bottle etc & then the last 'page' was the bottle fitted into a cut-out section of the back page. The fragrance is long gone of course, & I did eventually buy a full-size bottle, but I have kept the box/booklet. I've sampled what they've done since Vert, but in my opinion it's still the best. The whole experience in the shop is a fond memory!
Carolyn, that sounds wonderful. I'll bet they wouldn't present the fragrance like that any more. Thanks for sharing the story 🙂
I agree with Carolyn M that Vert is the best version so far, especially the Extreme version that is a little bit stronger. Unfortunately it's hard to find. I don't know if it is still produced.
Neva, I'm not sure either. I have a soft spot for Blanc: I think it's the mimosa / orange blossom associations.
Managed to sample Bleu in Harvey Nicks in Edinburgh on Saturday – really liked it, but my favourite is still Vert. Despite a bit of a chat with the assistant, no offer of a sample was forthcoming…
Oh dear, that's a shame. Perhaps they didn't have a sample. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the scent. It's very elegant, isn't it?
Elegant & subtle – qualities I found all those years ago in Vert (I'm glad you enjoyed my story about that!). I doubt HN hasn't been supplied with samples, however!
Well, you never know. Brands can be very funny with samples. Sometimes, the shops are given tiny quantities of them.