Hiram Green is a small line of natural, artisanal fragrances that I’d describe as “slow fragrances”. I compare them to Slow Food where you can taste the difference because of the ingredients used and the time put into them. This isn’t a brand that launches a new fragrance every six weeks. It’s a line that embraces natural ingredients and doesn’t launch fragrances until they’re “just right”.
I really like the other two releases from Hiram Green, Moon Bloom and Shangri-La. As someone that loves orange blossom scents, I looked forward to trying Dilettante but at the same time, I’m skeptical. What else can be done with an orange blossom in perfumery that hasn’t already been done?
Dilettante is like a breeze of honeyed orange blossoms. It’s waxy blossoms on a hot summer day. The opening is a crisp, green and cool (“minty”) orange blossom. This green but indolic orange blossom is mixed with a pepperiness that brings to mind freshly ground white peppercorns. As odd as it may sound, a lot of Dilettante reminds me of fresh jasmine blossoms and dried, blonde tobacco. It’s like this perfect “jasmine tobacco” fragrance. But, it varies from others in that genre (like Etate Libre d’Orange Jasmin et Cigarette) because it has citrus. There’s a brightness from orange peel and zesty white pepper. The heart is like fresh orange blossoms and jasmine with a warmth that feels like sunshine on bare skin. It’s animalic but radiant. The dry-down is honeyed white florals with a subtle incense that is like resins and patchouil. The florals in the dry-down are sweet like hay or honey but also waxy so it reminds me of orange blossoms and beeswax. The easiest way to describe this would be that it reminds me of beeswax soaked in orange blossom honey.
Dilettante may not be an orange blossom that has been reinvented, but for me, it’s perfect. This is an animalic orange blossom that smells vivid and multi-dimensional. I thought I had all my “orange blossom bases” covered but then I tried this. The rest of my orange blossoms will most likely be gaining a new family member.
Notes listed include orange flower, petitgrain and orange. Launched in 2016. PERFUMER – Hiram Green
Give Dilettante a try if you like orange flower perfumes or natural white florals. Or if you like perfumes like DSH Perfumes Secreti di Belle Donne, Tommi Sooni Passerelle (RIP), Shalini, Frederic Malle Cologne Bigarade, The Different Company Limon de Cordoza and/or Keiko Mecheri Jasmine.
Projection and longevity are average…which is above average for a natural perfume. Off topic – I also love the new bottles. They look great.
The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $165 at Indigo Perfumery. Samples are also available for purchase. It’s also available at Hiram Green.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Honeyed, waxy orange blossom/ an animalic orange blossom. I love it. Now I’m just waiting for Hiram to create a rose perfume because I’m sure he could convince me that I don’t already have enough roses in my collection…
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I love the new bottles too! I can’t wait to try this one, I’ve been so impressed by the others in the line, and this sounds just lovely. Thanks for the review!
The new bottles are so elegant.
I’ve always thought of Moon Bloom as the tuberose for those that don’t like tuberose. Shangri-la as the chypre for those of us that usually don’t like chypres. But, with this one it’s like the orange blossom for people that love orange blossom 🙂
I’m sampling this right now and I think it’s one of the best orange blossoms that I’ve ever smelled. I got Luckyscent’s Blooming Bouquet sample pack and I’m in love with a few perfumes right now. Need to save up some money!
It’s so good. When I first tried it, I was immediately like “PERFECT” but I figured I should withhold such a title. But, after draining that sample, I think I’m going with my initial reaction 🙂 Also, it’s expensive but not as much as I thought it was going to be when I initially sampled it. I was expecting a much higher price tag (which is a mix of the current state of indie perfume where EVERYTHING is $300+).
Luckyscent has really stepped up their sample game IMO. There last few sets have been solid.
You know you’re deep into perfume when the prices no longer scare you! I remember when $100 was unthinkable to me and now I’m like “$150? Ok! Its not over $200!” This one is worth saving up for and I agree that the bottle is quite pretty. My problem is that I like a few of the samples, Grandiflora ‘s Queen of the night which smells like white flowers an melted otter pop??? And D.S. and Durga’s radio Bombay which I didn’t think I would like because it has cedar but it plays surprisingly well with my skin. It also reminds me of another scent that I can’t remember. I thought I would love their white peacock lily but it’s kinda eh on me. This is why samples rock!
EXACTLY! There was a time in my life when I thought Serge Lutens perfumes were too expensive. Now they are a great “value”!
OK, I need to try that Grandiflora because that description has me wanting it so bad.
I haven’t tried any of the new D.S. & Durga scents but the descriptions sound good.