Bon Parfumeur Neroli perfume
In the beginning…
Neroli takes its name from the princess of Nerola, a small town near Rome, Italy. In the 17th century, Princess Anna Maria Orsini de Bracciano introduced the fashion of perfuming gloves, clothes and even bath water with the essence of this particular orange blossom. The term "Neroli" was subsequently adopted to distinguish the essential oil obtained by steam distillation of bitter orange blossoms.
Neroli cultivation
Neroli is extracted from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, also known as "Citrus aurantium amara" or "bigaradier". These trees originated in East Asia, but have since spread to other parts of the world. The main Neroli-producing regions today include Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and parts of Europe, notably Italy and France, especially the Grasse region, known as the cradle of modern perfumery.
Growing bitter orange requires a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. The trees are generally planted in full sun and need well-drained soil. The flowers, harvested by hand in late spring, are delicate and must be handled with care to avoid damage. Distillation should take place soon after harvesting to preserve the flowers' rich, complex fragrance.
What do you know about Neroli in perfumery ?
Neroli belongs to the floral fragrance family, a category dominated by flower essences and associated notes. Floral fragrances are among the oldest and most appreciated in the history of perfumery, due to their ability to capture the pure, natural essence of plant life.
Neroli's olfactory profile is distinct and complex. It has a soft, intensely floral fragrance, with citrus notes and a hint of honey. Its character is both refreshing and soothing, with a depth and longevity that add to its appeal. Top notes are generally bright and energizing, evoking fresh citrus, while middle and base notes may feature spicy, verdant nuances that add complexity to the scent.
Neroli perfume blends well with a wide range of olfactory ingredients, enabling it to be used in a wide variety of fragrances. Common accords include other citrus fruits (such as bergamot and lemon), white flowers (such as jasmine and tuberose), and woods (such as sandalwood and cedar). It can also be combined with spicy, green or even gourmand notes to create unique, fascinating fragrances.
Overall, Neroli essence offers a perfect balance of floral sweetness, citrus freshness and complex green and spicy nuances. This makes it a popular choice for perfumers seeking to create refined, sophisticated and timeless fragrances.
Popular neroli perfumes
Néroli Portofino by Tom Ford
Néroli Portofino is a unisex fruity floral eau de parfum launched in 2011. It is part of Tom Ford's Private Blend collection. This fragrance has a refreshing opening of neroli and bergamot, which blends with notes of lemon, mandarin and lavender. The heart of the fragrance includes notes of bitter orange, jasmine and orange blossom, while the base reveals notes of amber wood, angelica and amber. It's a lively, vibrant fragrance that captures the freshness of the seaside, with a sophistication that Tom Ford always manages to infuse into his perfumes.
Coco by Chanel
Coco is a flagship fragrance from the House of Chanel, launched in 1984 as a tribute to founder Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Conceived as an ode to her bold, avant-garde personality, this spicy oriental fragrance blends exotic notes of coriander, mandarin, peach, jasmine and Bulgarian rose. Its rich, enveloping trail, punctuated by nuances of amber, patchouli, tonka and vanilla, evokes the luxurious, independent spirit of the Chanel woman.
24 Faubourg by Hermès
24 Faubourg is an elegant creation by Hermès, launched in 1995. Its name echoes the emblematic address of the Hermès flagship store in Paris. This floral chypre fragrance reveals a seductive harmony of orange, peach, ylang-ylang and gardenia notes, blending into a heart of jasmine, iris and patchouli. Its warm base of amber, vanilla and sandalwood makes it a timeless, refined signature, symbolizing the elegance and savoir-faire of the House of Hermès.
Infusion de Néroli by Prada
Launched in 2015, Infusion de Néroli by Prada is a green floral eau de parfum for women. It opens with sparkling notes of neroli and mandarin, leading into a heart of orange blossom and galbanum. Frankincense and lentisk form the base, adding a resinous, slightly smoky dimension to the fragrance. It's an elegant, refined fragrance, with a green freshness typical of Prada brand perfumes.
Le Néroli - Cologne by Annick Goutal
This unisex fragrance, launched in 2013, is a wonderful interpretation of neroli. The fragrance opens with notes of neroli petals, which blend perfectly with notes of citrus, petitgrain and citron to create a fresh, revitalizing scent. The base of the fragrance is lightly woody, with notes of cedar and white musk. Cologne Néroli by Annick Goutal is a fragrance that evokes the freshness of a summer morning.
Néroli Sauvage by Creed
Created in 1994, Néroli Sauvage by Creed is a fruity chypre eau de parfum for men and women. It opens with an explosion of bergamot and grapefruit, accompanied by notes of lemon and neroli. The heart of the fragrance includes notes of orange blossom and amber, while the base reveals notes of sandalwood and ambergris. It's a sophisticated, complex fragrance, with a depth that evokes the refinement and tradition of the Creed brand.
Eau de Néroli Doré by Hermès
Eau de Néroli Doré is a unisex fragrance that is part of Hermès' "Les Colognes" collection, launched in 2016. Created by master perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, this fragrance is a celebration of neroli, the essence extracted from the orange blossom. The fragrance opens with an explosion of neroli, offering a luminous, fresh and slightly bitter scent. This note is complemented by a touch of citrus, including sparkling bergamot. The heart of the fragrance is floral and slightly spicy, with the presence of saffron adding intriguing depth to the composition. Finally, the base of the fragrance is composed of cedar wood, offering a warm, dry base.