Zelen

Oooh this is good. Green, crunchy, crisp, fresh, woody. It makes me think of walking in a grassy wetlands field and you can smell the thick green stalks of vegetation cruching underfoot. You smell the fresh water coming up around your boots and the cool air blowing overhead. This puts you smack dab in the middle of a grassy wetland. But in this wetland there are loads of fresh fruits brimming with juice. This scent has a bright refreshing pop like no other I have smelled. The strongest most realistic citrus ever. Boka Zelen is the scent that would result in a marriage between Byredo Bal D'Afrique and Sospiro Vibrato. Buuuut that baby ended up growing up and becoming successful; like 4 tax brackets above it's parents. It has that crisp green fruitiness of bal dafrique but the quality isn't even comparable. Now I thought the byredo smelled high quality; until I smelled Zelen. Even though Bal D'Afrique smells great it lasts all of an hour as a skin scent, but Zelen is no slouch in this category. This projects like crazy and lasts as long as you will let it on your skin. I thought Vibrato had crazy longevity for a fresh fragrance. Well this has beat Vibrato by leaps and bounds. I just can't get over how realistic this smells. You get this pop of brightness from the pink pepper that makes the citruses smell like you are just constantly squeezing the freshest citrus fruits over and over again. You know that smell when you are squeezing fresh citrus? Well imagine that juicy crisp smell nonstop and pair it with the most crisp crunchy green scent and a tart fruitiness. Then there is a fresh green spiciness from the cardamom and it's pairing with the crunchy green vetiver, a light earthiness, and that gorgeous mysore sandalwood to create the most realistic grassy plains scent I have ever smelled. It's like Bal D'Afrique but waaaay better and then add in some Vibrato and that's Zelen. I have always lived in the middle of nowhere so im hyper critical of scents that emulate the outdoors because nothing seems to compare. This, this is it. It reminds me of long quad rides through the fields, long walks through the middle of nature, thick stalks of grass crunching with each footstep, and getting to lose yourself in the scents and sights surrounding you. Smelling this takes me right outside. The scent is so close to the real thing that when I close my eyes I think for sure that when I open them I will be outside. Damn this is beautiful. By far the best vetiver forward scent I have ever tried. Side note - And to anyone bitching about price give it a smell first. If you can't smell the quality of the ingredients and the pain staking time spent blending this to perfection; maybe fragrance isn't for you. And that's fine, but don't act like it is and criticize someone over something you know nothing of. This is art at its finest. There are two kinds of people in these comments; the ones that wear and appreciate a Rolex and those that are mad they can't afford it. Don't be the second.

A crystal clear message is conveyed in this perfume. It can always be better, and what is it there when we sometimes curiously ask ourselves? Is there anything else new? Have we tried everything yet? Here is the answer. This is new, with this perfume an enviable high bar has been set for this green perfume genre. A very unique and creative approach that refers to a perfume classic beauty of green scents. Here the perfume is presented in a totally new guise and it will become a crown sooner or later, I guarantee it. This is not another hype review, this is an honest intimate review that is based on the feelings I got when trying this fragrance. I received 2x 2ml samples from the brand and duly paid the merciless customs charges of my country. But it was worth it even for these two small samples. The opening is really green-citrus (emphasis on the citrus mentioned in the composition: Italian Bergamot, Mexican Lime, Japanese Yuzu On my skin, the opening itself is pleasantly citrusy (not sharp), really as it should be, and in the background all that greenery comes out slightly. I would say Woody green, at one moment distant slightly earthy (but that's just my little distant feeling) for example like moss, pine needles and something else forest. The emphasis is on pine needles, I feel as if I crushed them with my fingers and dipped them in resin, or squeezed the bark of a pine tree (cedar wood in this case), or imagine that instead of pine cone seeds there is green cardamom, which is also mentioned in the composition. The whole story is rounded off by a proven combination that comes from Haitian Vetiver, Virginia Cedar, Mysore Sandalwood. Very rich, harmoniously harmonious. contemplative-intimate, deeply walked with thoughts and feelings that inspired me when I wore this. Durability is unquestionable here. Decent projections and very good justified durability in terms of the price range. The debate about the price of this artificial piece of perfume adorned by this beautiful bottle is pointless. Art has no price and neither do feelings. This perfume really touched me and gave me a clear answer. It can always be more, it can always be better, the search paid off and I will successfully find my way home from this beautiful forest. Actually when I think about it? Actually this is my home. I'm staying here. 10/10 After a really rich perfume experience in researching and discovering this wonderful hobby, I can legitimately say that this is a brilliant collector's item and worth having. This is not another artificially inflated review, this is really personal and take it as a really warm perfume-friendly recommendation.

Part 1-this is review from someone that actually tested it ! Lol, so this is such a well blended fragrance! That burst of bergamot is so nice ! It’s green , fresh but an everyday scent you can wear all year not just in the summer . The vetiver and the beeswax ground the fragrance I think . You can definitely tell the ingredients are high quality. I think it leans more masculine. But I can see a lot of women loving it for themselves . And I would definitely love to smell this on a man ! The bottle is sooo beautiful as well ! Bravo ! I can’t wait for more fragrances from this perfumer ! Part 2 - review on reviewers that have not tested this fragrance. I usually use fragrantica often to get views and opinions on fragrances of people that actually tested them , like actually sprayed it on their body. It takes some energy to come on here and make a review . Why waste your time and my time reading completely empty pointless reviews with zero information about the actual fragrance . Just to trash talk something you have not put your nose on . Blows my mind really . As far as price point , how are you basing that price point opinion on ? Certainly not of the scent itself . I wish peoples reviews are strictly based on one’s feelings towards a scent they actually put their nose on . If it’s too expensive for your wallet that’s understandable. There’s also a sample you can buy for 15 US dollars and actually test it , and really “review” it . Just a thought ! :) ok rant over . Lol . Part 3- conclusion , test this fragrance if you love green scents ! It really is beautiful ! :)

Sampling the inaugural release from the new house of Boka Fragrance, Zelen, by perfumer and owner and longtime fragcomm member Boris Zrnic. Its black and green sample packaging (both the box and the mini-sprayer) seems fitting to its dark, vetiver-rich character. The full note list is both on the website and Fragrantica, and the highlight for me is certainly the vetiver, perhaps the most multifaceted expression of the note I’ve ever smelled, including its ashy, smoky, earthy aspects as well as its fresh and green sides. This is an obvious homage to vetiver, and it’s among the best I’ve ever smelled in the vetiver-forward subgenre. Other standout notes for me are lime, beeswax, and sandalwood. It has an additional freshness, a dense resinousness, and a sort of aged wood antiquity to it. To me, it seems referential to other famous vetivers (for example, the utter smokiness of Lalique Encre Noire or strident, green freshness of Guerlain Vetiver) but as an experience, it takes in different features of these fragrances while being a bit of an amalgamation of different vetiver angles, all with a sensible note blend. Its power is extreme, also—a little juice goes a long way. I’m testing out the fragrance with just one sample spray on one inner wrist, and the scent cloud is noticeably from arm’s length and intense when smelled up close. Its concentration is extrait and the price is not low, at $450 for 100ml, a big commitment, but I think vetiver fans especially will be quite taken with this, and I recommend that other check it out. 8 out of 10

This is a really lovely, fresh, vetiver-centric scent. The citrus opening is really appealing. It's sparkly, it's fresh, it's bright, it's pleasantly acidic. I get mostly the lime with a touch of yuzu. I wish it lasted longer- it seemed to disappear really quickly, after around 10-15 minutes. I'm not too upset about the short lived citrus though, because underneath is a gorgeous vetiver. It smells natural, as one would hope for and expect from a fragrance that's 75% essential oils. The pink peppercorn and cardamom provide a nice spicy edge. These few notes together are really the backbone of this fragrance; the overall impression I get is a fresh spicy vetiver. I don't really get any beeswax, nor much sandalwood. In terms of performance, this does well! Lasts most of the day and certainly projects. Feels quite versatile, definitely wearable on most occasions and in most weather. I'd consider making this my signature scent if it wasn't so expensive. I would love to smell like this all the time, but I fear I’m not in the right tax bracket, LOL. All in all, one of the most appealing vetiver-forward fragrances I've tried. Will definitely be picking up at least a 50ml at some point. Edit: Got my hands on a second hand 50ml and have been loving it!

Zelen is one of those fragrances that immediately evokes a feeling. Right from the start, you get the fresh scent of lime and yuzu – like pouring yourself a cool drink on a warm summer day. Sparkling, almost thirst-quenching, but without any sharpness or sourness. After that bright opening, the scent becomes softer and rounder. You’ll notice warm undertones of cardamom and pink pepper, with a creamy hint of beeswax. It strikes a beautiful balance: fresh and fruity, but with a lot of depth and character. The base is where Zelen truly settles. Thanks to vetiver, cedarwood, and sandalwood, it develops a green, earthy layer. Not heavy or traditionally woody, but more natural and spiritually grounded. It invites you to pause for a moment, while at the same time transporting you to memories of the past. There’s something familiar about it, almost nostalgic, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why. Zelen is especially perfect for sunny days when you want something light and refreshing, but still with a subtle, warm twist that feels truly unique.

Hello Mr or Mrs Kigyo . I’m not a fragrance maker but I do have a business in oils . I will tell you it’s an extremely costly time consuming business . The extraction alone and the equipment is extremely expensive . Not to mention labels marketing , testing etc etc . I can’t even imagine a self owned fragrance brand just staring out and what the cost are. I can 100 percent say if you owned such business you would not be making the comments you are making . You are not forced to purchase it . I think your thoughts and comments would best be suited on a major brand owned by a corporation where their cost are Pennie’s on the dollar . Those corporations push out junk and take us to the cleaners with the mark up in price . Not to mention corporations pay little to no taxes that go towards our communities. Small businesses actually pay taxes that help our communities. As a small business owner I’m a little disturbed where some people’s heads are at . Don’t take my word for it , do your own research or start your own brand .

Boris threw in a sample of Zelen with my recent order of Suze. Immediately, both my boyfriend and I fell in love with this scent. He said it smelled like his recent boys' trip to Cabo. I simply.. HAVE to have it. It is so so good and refreshing. The trio of citrus here is effervescent and genuine art. Boka has really impressed me overall. The natural ingredients are so wonderful, and I truly feel Boka is a master in perfume artistry. I am planning on surprising my boyfriend with this scent in the spring; I know he'll be a happy man! UPDATE: 1 week later After some incredible customer service from Boka, Zelen is on the way! Boka to me is a pinnacle house for the fragrance lover's community. You really do get the value of what you pay for here, and you can tell the passion/art that is behind these fragrances. I am excited to keep my eye out for more creations to come!

This is a gift. I mean this is a true gift. This is not for the type of person who doesn't see the art and the craftsmanship behind a real fragrance. If you are one of those people who thinks something from the department store or off the Street is of equal value to a small batch American made company and a fragrance that has been obviously created with the highest quality ingredients possible and a story behind it, our conversation ends here. The beauty behind this almost cannot be described in words. It evokes a feeling instead and quiets your mind to which you can truly sit and be. I have been searching for something like this and I am so relieved there is someone out there who has created something that's beautiful. I personally believe I have high standards and Zelen has gone far beyond my expectations.

Kigyo my friend, I do not think you understand how a brand is made. I know many people in the industry that have created a product and a business, so I know what goes into these indie brands. I own many fragrances that are up there in price. Do you think people sell their products at cost? What percentage do you think goes to the retailers? Do you think a Rolex watch costs 30k to make? I can’t afford a Rolex, but I know there is more that goes into the manufacturing than just the simple watch pieces. I’m surprised that you are not aware of this. Knowing many indie perfumers, there are several expenses; the costs of the oils, bottle, caps, Packaging, social media, marketing, website, labor costs etc. The smaller the business, the more things cost for them. I hope this help you understand a bit more. Cheers!

Zelen is a beautiful Haitian Vetiver scent that has much to offer. This fragrance is composed mostly of natural ingredients, which gives it a rue niche quality feel. I personally love the use of tart Yuzu citrus mixed with the light honey note. I have owned and smelled hundreds of vetiver scents and, I must admit, this fragrance is one of the best I’ve ever smelled. I would say this is tied for my number one spot with Dior Vetiver. The beauty of this fragrance is that it is unapologetically a Vetiver scent. The other notes (including beautiful mysore sandalwood) merely support this raw yet refined Vetiver. Well done!

Simply gorgeous - love the bright citrus opening with the touch of green essence. I think Yuzu is such a great opening note in a fragrance. The pepper and sandlewood keeps things in check and like many others have stated & the vibe the perfumer was targeting - must wait for the vetiver to make it's presence known - it's sublime. Can tell/smell fine ingredients went into the composition while giving excellent performance. You won't overpower someone shopping 2 aisles over (who really wants that anyways lol), but you will make your presence known to those from over an arms length away. Well done!

It took me a few wears to recognize the familiar scent profile, but eventually, it became clear. Zelen is essentially a more concentrated and refined version of L'Eau Boisee. While the Guerlain has been discontinued, leading to triple the price of what it once cost, Zelen is signficantly overpriced, but does offer a true extrait concentration experience with superior performance compared to the Guerlain. According to the brand, the fragrance contains nearly 75% to 80% natural derived components and it is evident.The critical question comes down to, whether the investment is justified.

Absolutely beautiful. Run, don’t walk to get this in your collection. The quality here is unmistakable, reminding me of the same quality found in Henry Jacques or Elegantes London. That said, Boka stands toe to toe with both and this fragrance is unlike anything I’ve ever smelled. Each wearing it seems to get better and over the course of the day, just develops into this unbelievable vetiver masterpiece. It is undeniable the effort that goes in to this brand. Candidly, I’d pay double the price these are listed at to have this in my collection. Absolutely beautiful fragrance!

I finally got my sample and I have to say that of all the vetiver frags I have tried, this is by far my fave. Quite citrusy at the start, it’s luscious and juicy and bright. The beeswax note is a wonderful surprise that adds a tad of sweetness, and the sandalwood seems to be of the highest quality as is the vetiver. All in all, it’s invigorating, zingy, professional, very pleasant. The smell is very realistic and natural. To me, this is very unisex, not leaning to either gender. Performance is great and sillage is quite good also, not loud but noticeable. I like this one.

Regal, sophisticated, green, straightforward. Those are several words to describe this fragrance. It opens with an upfront lime, followed by undercurrents of pink pepper, and finally vetiver. I wore it before bed and it was still there the next morning. I look forward to purchasing a full bottle, a safe blind buy if you like green citrus and vetiver. 9.5/10 I look forward to the future work of Boka.

What an incredible fragrance done by Boris.Its a very refreshing and herbal kind of vetiver.I don’t think anyone will hate it as it’s well blended with lime ,pepper and other fresh ingredients.This is so far my favorite vetiver.Very natural smelling as it consist of 80 % of natural derived ingredients.Looking forward to try more from the house👍

My favorite vetiver by far and a standout green staple in my collection. The bottle and fragrance are both unmatched in terms of craftsmanship and individuality. The yuzu and pepper opening drew me in immediately, and it lasts forever on my skin (8 hours with a single spritz, much more if using multiple). Truly gorgeous.

This is easily the best vetiver fragrance I’ve tried. It beats Creed’s Original Vetifer and Guerlain’s. It’s extrait so it lasts a long time. Refined and classy. Less soapy than its predecessors. Expensive? Yes. So are Italian sports cars. This fragrance is a Ferrari.

Boris, take my money! I can't live without Zelen anymore.