I do love a surprise, especially a fragrant one, and when that fragrant surprise is from one of my favourite (and most-worn perfume houses) well then, I’m a happy boy. So imagine my surprise (I promise that’s the last time I say ‘surprise’ in this review, maybe..) when the first launch from Miller Harris in 18 months landed on my doorstep. Being real with you, MH had been launching A LOT of things before their brief pause and some of those launches (Blousy, Brighton Rock, I’m looking, nay, I’m glaring at you) felt a bit rushed and unfinished, and didn’t set my heart on fire. So it was with great intrigue that I approached their new launch ‘Rêverie de Bergamote’ and (massive spoiler alert!) it did not disappoint.
Rêverie de Bergamote is described by Miller Harris as an “aromatic citrus” fragrance. They say it’s a “bright, soulful scent for a slow Sunday morning” and I feel they’re going for something that sets a mood or a vibe, and that vibe is bergamot-scented relaxation (something we could all do with, let’s face it). Emilie Bouge (Robertet) created the perfume and took inspiration from relaxing mornings listening to music. And whilst the theme is very ‘Bergamot and Chill’, I would say that Rêverie de Bergamote is not to be underestimated – it has a few tricks and unexpected twists up its sleeves to raise the excitement levels. Let’s sniff!
The Notes
Top: Bergamot, Orange, Tangerine, Summer Basil and Artemisia
Heart: Lavender, Rosemary, Geranium and Leather
Base: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vetiver and Moss
The Perfumer
Emilie Bouge (Robertet)
How Does it Smell?
Rêverie de Bergamote opens with a cold, icy bite of bergamot. It’s sparkling, sweet, green and sharp, almost sending your mouth into a spasm with its bitterness. An impression is certainly made early on and whilst you expect a refreshing, glistening bergamot, what you actually get is something altogether different: freshly sliced bergamots placed on top of aromatic leaves. This is not your typical bergamot fragrance, no, it is something much more intriguing – something a little greener, darker and sharper (at least in the opening, anyway, things quickly change!)
Lavender is actually the central theme here and its at this point in the development that I realise that Rêverie de Bergamote is actually a fresh fougère in (a lovely yellow) disguise. The lavender is cool and ozonic, giving shades of Penhaligon’s metallic Sartorial, but it is wrapped in the plushness of leather and dry warmth of rosemary. The vibe is distinctly herbal and natural, with a softness that allows the fragrance to straddle the gender lines. This is neither masculine or feminine, it’s at the exact midpoint.
In the dry down, Rêverie de Bergamote softens further. Like many of Miller Harris’ perfumes, it feels textural, with a creamy, plush, softness that is contrasted by the jagged edges of moss and vetiver. It feels like a piece of yellow silk laid on grey granite, with a striking juxtaposition of texture that creates a multi-dimensional effect. Scent-wise, it’s all woods, with sandalwood (fresh, creamy, mineral) taking the lead and vetiver, and moss, playing accent. It feels fully fleshed out from start to finish, twisting the theme of bergamot into something really unique.
I love Miller Harris because they make novel fragrances that are infinitely wearable. Everything they do tells a story and they always present unique twists on themes and materials, whilst maintaining that sense of wearability. For that reason, their fragrances have become everyday staples in my wardrobe – a wardrobe that now includes Rêverie de Bergamote, exactly because it follows the Miller Harris signature of novel but wearable. This could have so easily been another sweet, easy bergamot housed within a beautiful bottle (and that yellow coated bottle is beautiful) and that would have been fine (see La Spugnatura – delightful!), but Rêverie de Bergamote dares to take a more unusual approach and it pays off. The only area where it disappoints slightly is in its longevity and after four or five hours, I find it less noticeable on skin than I would like. But that doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment and Rêverie de Bergamote is a beautifully refreshing aromatic citrus that I’m going to be wearing a lot this summer!
Availability
Rêverie de Bergamote is available in 50ml (£85) and 100ml (£115) Eau de Parfum.
Disclaimer
Images are my own. Sample (full bottle) gifted by Miller Harris for review. This is not a sponsored post.
The Candy Perfume Boy 