Rosa Antiqua

Rosa Antiqua is probably my third favorite by the line, but I do not know, definitely is the most interesting rose I have smelled in a long time! The olive oil note came out of nowhere and on paper it seemed like something I would understand but not want to wear, but then I ended up being obsessed with it and think it is probably the best part. It is nothing close to gimmicky or food-like savory. Instead, it gives the rose an antique feeling - dry, gilded and textual. Not romantic/fresh rose, but petals covered with oil. The texture it gives rose - dried stems, sun-cooked stone, herbs, skin, etc. Avant-garde without needing to smell odd or to be challenging, just because. What I like about it is its restraint, it is bone dry. Not overly sweet at all. But still rose, because the oil helps mute it, soften and deepens it to a beautiful, weathered and textured thing. This totally reset my mind about rose perfumes - a rose perfume can be beautiful and well composed without fresh, young notes or being overly sweet. A lot of the weird experimental niche perfumes I know are weird for no reason - and I often find that irritating - but Rosa Antiqua feels intentional and gives a specific emotional resonance to my skin. The more time passes, the more intimate and close it becomes. And yes, this definitely melts into skin and becomes beautiful. Not too sweet, bitterish in a pleasant, mineral and warm sort of way and a unique feeling indeed. I definitely never expected a perfume that smells of olive oil to become so addictive or a perfume I love wearing, but Rosa Antiqua proved me wrong. The overall impression of it is something like cultured, atmospheric and quietly bold. A beautiful one that does not try too hard to be the spotlight. It is also something you carry with you for hours and still get whiffs from and will still make an impression. Overall current impression & Rating: 8.5/10

I have long dreamed of a perfume that has a realistic olive oil accord. When I was experimenting with perfume composition a number of years ago, I acquired an olive fruit absolute from Hermitage Oils, and I sketched a few different ideas of how I would incorporate it in formulas. One such sketch had me combining it with rose and some other materials to enhance the oleaginous effect, and I was really pleased with the result. I have long been fascinated with oily sensations in scent, and the explorations were part of a concept I envisaged as part of a line I'd develop that focused on olfactory textures. My pursuits were halted and I've been on hiatus for nearly six years now. When I first smelled Rose Antiqua, I was instantly reminded of my olive and rose explorations and part of me felt a little envy, but that was quickly surpassed by a strong appreciation, as this is dazzling. The grassy green, savory-bitter yet also fruity nature of olive oil as it amalgamates with a berry-wine, ketone-heavy rose calls forth exaltation in me. There is the lightest smoky outline throughout its development, and from the periphery, I can discern a pungent, herbaceous geranium-leafiness. Over time, it mellows into what reminds me of a dried birch sauna whisk: a warm, vegetal woodiness. It doesn't draw out too strongly on my skin, but this is by no means an impediment to its beauty. In fact, I would argue that its to its advantage that it doesn't radiate. Both meditative and sensuous, Rosa Antiqua embodies exactly the textural nature I had in mind, and I must admit that feel inspired to revisit composition somewhat sooner than planned.

Very beautiful - a naturalistic, green-bitter rose with a real twist. Not too much sweetness in the rose, just a bit of geranium-like sharpness, but it gets a green, sulphuric edge from the blackcurrant (more leaf than berry here). The olive accord is brilliant: you can really smell it when you look for it, but it doesn't get in the way or distract too much. Rose is a tough market because there are so many gorgeous options out there already, but this one still really got my attention!

Oh wow ! They keeping knocking it out of the park ! Hot damn ! This is incredible, the olive oil note is predominant and A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Edible and ritch. There is a level of dept and savory pinch, like perversion for perfection. Incredible rose perfume ( from a non rose lover ) . Insanely good, unisex and absolutely botanical/ alchemical. Such a good combo i'm here shocked with my mouth watering. I love seeing new things done so skillfully and finally so specifically.

I wasn't expecting the olive oil note to be so prominent or work so well. The rose floral and the sharper olive note is gorgeous, a little green leaning, and the depth that comes through from the woody base keeps it interesting all day. It's more of a savoury scent than a sweet floral. It's a unique take on rose, like petals in oil, that is niche and different without being unpleasant or challenging to wear. It's an easy fragrance to keep reaching for.

I was wondering if this fragrance would actually be as daring and original as it sounds... but yep, the olive accord is definitely there (and is almost overpowering the rose for quite some time). I find it a bit challenging, but it is also very interesting and unique and I am so glad that these kind of fragrances are made! Yes, give us something new and challenging! Plus, I am very much attracted to the backstory and historical inspiration of this brand. The only con for me: after 3 hours I really don't smell it on my skin anymore.

Dewy rose with green stems and bugs. It brought to mine perfumer H Rose and insect, but more fresh.

Oily and bitter photorealistic rose. Personally I don't like smelling like this.

Smokey oily fruitti rose... I'm not sure if i can detect olives as much as i am detecting birch, cashmeran and..... oh wait a min! does this smell like the common combination of rose oud blends! with more birch! oh! so the olives gives that oud rose comb in common blends then! very interesting! It is a Damascus rose indeed, cashmiran, birch, & i believe olives as well, but remains the kind of oud rose mix but more of a birch rose. Fair.

truly so unique! its not so often that olive oil is featured in perfume at all, but in here its highlighted so well. its a dark balanced slightly sharp smell. A strong salty green scent but also powdery floral and smooth. I would defo recommend trying it before because it smells very savoury - you might love or hate it buttt something very interesting for sure

A dark, oily rose with a savoury nuance. There is a touch of smoky, and a subtle fruity tanginess. Mysterious and sensuous, a very unique take on rose.