Glorious

I first smelled Glorious at New London Pharmacy when I last visited New York. Renowned make-up artist and SA extraordinaire Desiree Monroe was wearing it. It’s a gorgeous fragrance that gets noticed right away.

Glorious is part of the Spirit Collection from British niche brand  Boadicea the Victorious. The line was founded in 2008 by Michael Boadi and was inspired by Boadicea, Celtic warrior and queen of the Iceni tribe who led a revolt against Roman occupation in 60 AD.

Glorious opens bright and fresh from piney, citrusy elemi. The freshness is heightened by a note of sparkling, succulent pineapple. Peach is here too, fleshy and full, it gives a gorgeous depth to the tropical pineapple. Ripe plum and juicy raspberry join the mix, their thick and jamminess balanced by a touch of crisp apple. As the top notes fade narcotic, exotic, jasmine comes forward, its floral aspect amplified by lush rose, warmed by cardamom and nutmeg. The base is woody from cedar wood, guaiac wood, sandalwood and patchouli while musk extends the animalic aspect of the jasmine to the drydown. There’s also an illusive camphorous balsam note that wafts up from the woods from time to time and fits in perfectly here, while amber and vanilla add a deep, refined sweet note that echoes the fruits at the opening.

The drydown is rich and complex yet light and engaging – it never gets too fruity, dark or sweet – and is just, well, glorious to wear.

Now, of course, I wear Glorious too.
 
Notes: elemi, pineapple, peach, plum, raspberry, apple, jasmine, rose, cardamom, nutmeg, balsam, cedar wood, guaiac wood, patchouli, musk, balsam, sandalwood, amber, vanilla.
Type: EdP

Parfumeur: John Stephen