Ormonde Jayne Tsarina is supposed to be the brand’s “opulent” fragrance, the brand itself describes it as a “powerhouse” with imagery of brocade, furs and jewels. I found this interesting because I’d never use the word “powerhouse” to describe a Ormonde Jayne perfume despite many of my descriptions/review of Ormonde Jayne perfumes that come across as “powerhouse”. White Gold, a jasmine soliflore, smells like jewels and wealth. Ta’if, a warm rose, is a perfume that never ceases to gain me a few compliments. The fragrances all have projection and longevity but in the most polite British way possible. All of the perfumes have depth but also light. It’s sort of Geza’s signature. Anyway, Tsarina is no different. It is one of those where my description is going to make it sound like something thicker and heavier than it is. But, imagine what I’m describing sniffed without gravity. It’s a “weightless amber”.

Tsarina has an opening that is balsamic and citrus-y which reminds me of Coca-Cola. It is fizzy and tickles my nose.  *insert sound of opening an aluminum soda can here*. Underneath is a heavy-dose of powdery iris and suede handbag. There’s an unusual “ozonic Band-Aid” thing going on in Tsarina. On me, it wears like a slightly medicinal oud, balsamic resins and warm spices (like cinnamon). Out of the entire Ormonde Jayne line, I think Tsarina is the weirdest. In fact, here is a tweet where I accurately described how Tsarina smells like on me:

Yet, it’s a completely nice fragrance and when I wear it people tell me that I smell good. All that weirdness gets lost in translation. I think to a lot of people, it comes across as a radiant amber holding a bouquet of iris and jasmine. It dries down to a sweet vanilla-amber that is like butterscotch. It’s powdery and warm. It’s one of those “my skin but better” sort of bases.

Notes listed include mandarin, bergamot, coriander, cassis, hedione, freesia, jasmine sambac, iris, suede, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla bean, labdanum and musk. Launched in 2012. PERFUMER – Geza Schoen

Give Tsarina a try if you like the idea of a radiant amber. Or if you like perfumes like Jacomo Art Collection #02, L’Artisan L’Eau d’Ambre, Xerjoff Shunkoin, Reminiscence Ambre, Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial and/or the amber perfumes from Ormonde Jayne.

Projection and longevity are above average but in the politest way possible.

Tsarina comes in a few sizes. A 4 oz. bottle retails for $375 at Osswald and Saks. 

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Butterscotch amber and radiant florals. It’s a lot of things but it works. Overall, it’s a really elegant and enjoyable fragrance.

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*Product purchased by me. Product pic from Saks. Anne St. Marie circa 1955 pic from pleasurephoto.wordpress.com. Saks contains an affiliate link. Thanks!