Years ago, I was obsessed with finding a fragrance that was “creamy green”. I found it with Aftelier Haute Claire. That natural perfume was the perfect blend of bitter green notes like galbanum paired with creamy ylang-ylang and vanilla. That fragrance has since been discontinued, commencing a new search for “creamy green”. I’ve found it with Hiram Green Arbolé Arbolé, a balsamic “creamy green” fragrance.
This perfume opens with grassy greens and a hazy lavender. Arbolé Arbolé’s opening reminds me of late summer days spent on the Washington coast. It’s fresh lavender mixing with where the sea meets forest – salt air and evergreens. For most of the wear, Arbolé is balsamic. It’s sweet and green. The patchouli is sharp, almost clean. The cedar and citronella-like rose gets me nostalgic for Avon Skin-So-Soft. The dry-down is a powdery, sweet tonka, vetiver and vanilla that comes across like a smooth amber. Actually, this combo with the patchouli in the base reminds me of a really, really expensive version of Brut.
Arbolé Arbolé is creamy and green. It’s a modern perfume that reminds me of lazy, late summer days. However, it has a vintage feel because of the undisguised presence of aromatic and balsamic notes. To me, it comes across as an update of feminine/masculine classic fragrances from the 1960’s (like Brut or Avon Skin-So-Soft). Arbolé Arbolé is like a classic despite being launched in 2016 and not being a “periods piece” (AKA a clone of something classic).
Notes listed include patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, vanilla and tonka bean. Launched in 2016. PERFUMER – Hiram Green
Give Arbolé Arbolé a try if you like balsamic scents, tonka beans or you’re a patch-head like me. Or perfumes like Penhaligon’s Sartorial, MDCI Invasion Barbare, Histoires de Parfums 1725 and/or YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme.
Projection is below average/quiet and longevity is above average.
The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $165 at Indigo Perfumery. Samples and a travel size are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Balsamic green. This mix of tonka and patchouli reminds me of lazy days in late summer. The aromatic and balsamic notes give it a nostalgic feel.
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This one is absolutely lovely. It’s on my buy list!
It’s so good. It’s not an easy one for me to explain either. Sometimes I get more of the green, other times more of the cream. Then I’ll have times where the patchouli or the florals are more noticeable. All variations are great though. I feel like it’s a good value because it’s like getting 3 perfumes in 1 🙂