Russian Caravan Tea

*Perfume Absolute review* Christopher Brosius MAY be a pretentious ass, but if YOU made perfumes like THESE you could be as pretentious as you wanted! I feel he was tired with "mainstrem" perfumes and wanted to "break out" of the norm (something I utterly admire) and do some really different, soul gripping creations. And this he has done, in my opinion, from what I have smelled thus far. Scents with names like "Under the Arbor", "Gathering Apples", "I am a Dandelion" and "Baby's Butt" (LOL) take things everyone can relate to and brings out the beauty in everyday life... Join me now, in the Library, for a nice warm cup of Russian Caravan Tea...would you?? The drapes are open and the sunlight is flooding in, as the water boils and the loose leaf tea sits in the ceramic pot. As the scalding water cascades over the tea, a heavenly aroma of PURE TEA greets the nose with citrusy nuances of bergamot and I ask you "One lump or two?"; Placing a lemon slice (gently twisted) on the edge of each cup as we settle into comfy leather high backed chairs and talk of philosophy, the state of the world and the newest Serge Lutens creation. All around us is the smell of wooden shelves and antique books bound lovingly, encasing pages gilt with gold and holding tales of adventure, intrigue and love. Russian Caravan Tea is not so much the spicy aromatic tea I thought it would be, but it is a brisk and eye-opening scent that is as pure and simple as an afternoon spent sipping really GOOD tea and talking and spending a day doing nothing of real importance other than nourishing one's soul and relaxing with those you love and luxuriating in the simple, but necessary, creature comforts that make life worth living: good tea, friends, and a good book! Sillage: good Longevity: above average Overall: 3.75/5 Would you care for another cup, dear friend? It is, after all, Sunday and I hear that there is a new niche line coming out from Molton Brown...

Tea scents are some of my favorites, and this is unique. A very atmospheric scent reminiscent of drinking tea in an antique room with tapestries on the walls, old oriental carpets on the floors. Served in translucent china, amid candlelight and books. This perfectly captures the mood and the subtle floral smell of Indian tea (very close to Twinings Russian Caravan Tea, whose smell translates to taste with a fresh teabag in a steaming cup). I was captivated the first time I wore this exclusive floral tea perfume. The bergamot makes a wispy trail of veiled lime through the accord. There is a microscopic bit of smoke, as if the tea leaves were dried next to a small fire. A tiny hint of spices adds to the composition, but all are muted next to the classic botanical tea. A brilliant creation by Christopher Brosius!

Very real glass of iced lemon sweet tea at first. The citrus does fade a bit to reveal true-to-life dried black tea leaves, the high quality kind that you can smell as soon as you open the tin. These black tea leaves lean towards floral and grassy, rather than, say, fruity. You are in for a treat if you like the scent of black tea. I enjoy it very much, but I would like a little milk with my tea. Such a simple scent, I am sure it is easy to layer with something creamy if desired. Well done. Edit: I have the absolute, and actually the drydown seems to become sweet and creamy. The perfect cup of Earl Gray (maybe not Russian Tea, which, when I have drunk, I find to be a bit smoky and does not include citrus).

This is my new favorite tea scent. It opens with very vivid, lush bergamot, like a perfect cup of Earl Gray or lightly sweetened iced tea with lemon. The bergamot is warm and round, and fades slowly away leaving just a hint of citrus with a gorgeous and slightly bitter black tea base, with a hint of cedar and an extraordinarily faint touch of smoke. I'm in love.

This smells so perfect. Good black tea, light citrus essence, a touch of creaminess - like Earl Grey with plenty of milk. I have not noticed the scent of old bookshelves, but that's fine with me. Sadly my water perfume sample only lasts about an hour on my skin. I may shell out for the 2ml absolute.