Arcadia

I wasn't going to sample this because I thought it was going to be like his Vetiver, and Vivacious offerings, nice but dull and frankly a bit underwhelming. But curiosity got the better of me and here I am. But I am happily impressed w/ Arcadia. What a gorgeous unisex perfume. My husband FLIPPED for this, and I think I am going to have to surprise him w/ a full bottle. We can share it of course but he will reach for this a lot. The opening is a fresh and cold rush of pure lavender, the highest quality lavender w/ minty, eucalyptus and evergreen nuances. Like being on top of a snow-covered mountain w/ a bright sun shining down upon you. As the fragrance goes along the lavender becomes tamer, more familiar and quite cozy. Warm resins and zesty spices cocoon the lavender and give the fragrance depth, making the perfume full bodied. Arcadia is very strong, a little goes a long way. Huge throw, it fills a room. I can see a man wearing this for an everyday fragrance, but it is upscale enough to be wonderful on a date night or even a black-tie event. If you love lavender this is something, you have got to get your nose on. Absolutely stunning FBW. Edit: 4/30/23 testing this more tonight and I do love it. The only thing is it does lean male for me and I think it would be better on a man quite frankly. I think that a full bottle of Ma Librete From Jean Patou is in order for me and Arcadia for my husband. They make great companions.

Definitely starts with emphasis on the tart, aromatic aspects of the fougere--lots of citrus and lavender. Some of the minty/green/citronella-like geranium also peeks through at the beginning. Tonka is obvious as well in the background. As it dries down, the tonka takes more center stage in harmony with an earthy patchouli and sandalwood. The coumarin/patch/sandalwood final drydown evokes that same combination in the late drydown of vintage Jicky in a way, but this feels more green and "undergrowth-like" than the Guerlain. In fact, true to intention, this feels like an overall more natural and rough around the edges interpretation of the original Houbigant accord (though Fougere Royale is sweeter and less woody and is more based around the isolated coumarin rather than a genuine nutty, almondy tonka). Lasting power is good and, after some initial aromatic fireworks and sillage, the slightly powdery sweet drydown hums along beautifully. The waft of it is gorgeous and definitely better than smelling it up close on the skin. In that way, it has that classical, impressionistic perfume structure from the late 1800s and early 1900s trailblazers. I could definitely imagine it's sweetened with jasmine and shaped with spices and resins, and there is a spicy floral note that reminds me of ylang ylang, but the essential fougere accord of tonka-lavender-citrus-patchouli-geranium is what is most recognizable.

The opening reminds me of the highest quality Marseille olive oil based all-natural lavender soap and a comforting hint of medicinal grade homeopathic ointments containing ingrediënts like beeswax or woolfat. The flowers show their herbal side and blend in beautifully. A touch of bergamot gives it a pleasant shimmer. Non-sweet but a dense and full, high grade perfume. The lavender, jasmin, rose mix is entirely magical. It captures the tingles you get when you sniff the flowers up close. The resins and bergamot seem to serve this purpose as well, adding vibrancy. The spices, sandalwood and tonka beans radiate warmth and add depth and ground. The patchouly seems to add yet another herbal twist in a supporting role. It's starting to dry down now after a long while and it gets better and better. I suggest you take your time with this one, while it's an extraordinary, warm and comforting perfume and I am slowly being seduced. Arcadia is a part of me now. It gives me this particular sense of comfort I didn't know I had lost.

I get 12 hours from this beautiful unisex scent of clean, lathery lavender soap and highland heather and ferny oakmoss. This is a luxury lavender soap scent, that’s fatty/lardy and white and lathers into a dense creamy foam. It’s straightforward and very easy to wear. It reminds me of the smell mature, Mediterranean men after a fresh shave. Irish Spring soap is a pretty close comparison. I feel this is what Chanel are trying to achieve with their more unisex/male scent imagination profile, but never quite get there. To me this reminds me of a cross between (but way better than) 34 Boulevard Saint Germain by Diptyque, Antaeus by Chanel and Lavande 31 by Le Labo. But this is luxurious heaven in a bottle in comparison. A beautiful creation which gets better every time I wear it.

Austere lavender soap, perhaps the most unapproachable to me out of the current lineup of the house. As against the ad copy this is not really evocative of a forest; I get instead a bunch of associations with classic French perfumery and its Lebenswelt. Beautiful, well-crafted, though not a scent profile that works for me. Edit: I keep wanting to wear it...what a long pleasant tonka drydown. Now somehow a favourite. This perfumer is just so skilled.

I LOVE Arcadia. It's what I had hoped the modern Jicky would be, but more robust. The sweet notes are richer; the aromatic notes are more impactful, the resinous notes feel more blended, and they all play off each other in ways that remain interesting. It lasts forever, too. The sleeve I got it on yesterday still smells like a slightly more muted version of it. If I were an Aromatic Fougere, this is what I would try to smell like.

What a hidden gem did I just find! It opens up with a beautiful and opulent jasmine note, and a little bit of a sweet twist. At the dry down it shows it's fougére side, but it's not a typical fresh barbershop smell. It's much more than that. The tonka bean, jasmine and spicy notes create a very unique and elegant scent, with the fresh aromatic accord. It smells very expensive and classy. I love it.

This retro style fragrance from Hiram Green evokes some of the classic fougéres of the late 19th century, like Guerlain's Jicky and Houbigant's Fougére Royale. Its surprisingly powerful with lots of lavender lavished over a sweet vanilla and tonka-bean accord; it feels moist and dreamy. The price point is pretty high, but the ingredients seem to be top of the line.

Reminds me very much of Annick Goutal's sensational 'Sables'. But it is not immortelle that is dipped in fragrant resins here, but no less herbaceous and aromatic-smelling lavender. Dose carefully, the scent is incredibly potent and lasts forever! Not necessarily a subtle fragrance, but one that could definitely delight lavender fans at least. I, for one, love it!

This is absolutely the best lavender blended perfume that I have ever worn!!! And, unlike the pale and whispy lavenders I've tried before, this one lasts! It isn't overtly masculine, the other notes give adequate warmth and sweetness that it's a pleasure for me to wear it.

Lavender-patchouli-jasmin and some darkness but still deep forest-fresh. Absolutely lovely creation from master Hiram Green. I would say a tiny little more masculin then feminin.

I love this mix of light, cool florals with warm, spicy woods and dark resins. The perfume sounds modern without cloying sweetness and is wearable for two.

Utterly beautiful spiced lavender! Starts of very green and fresh but the spices catch up soon enough for an intoxicating mix :)

exquisite soap! clean, herbal, dense. although it sits as something alien on my skin. maybe it’s just too pretty for me haha

Fougeres are usaully not my thing. I ́m a chypra guy. But this smells very high quality and natural.

ET IN ARCADIA EGO I will start with a little background on the name for whom is interested; the others can skip to the description of the perfume on the next paragraph. Arcadia is a region of central Greece so beautiful, green, and peacefull that the bucolic poets refers to it as the ideal place to live a life immersed in nature. This bucolic vision was then reprised in the XVII Century by some litterates and painters who founded in Rome an accademy called Arcadia. Their poetry and painting runs against all is baroquesque preferring simplicity and a certain linearity of form., proposing a vital encounter with nature as opposed to an artifacted life. No name then could be more apt to designate the simplicity of Hiram Green's aesthetics: the abundance of natural to promote a return to form. And in this case we return to the classical structure of a vintage fougere (would Fougere Royale by Houbigant have smelled like Arcadia?, I hope someone can answer). At the same time, Mr. Green is able to evoke with this particular fragrance a return to nature, a sense of peaceful delight to be found in an uncontaminated nature not domesticated by man. Arcadia opens up with the most refined mix of lavender (predominant) and bergamot I have ever smell to date; when you sniff it up close, you will notice the great variety of aromas of lavender: brisk, fresh aromatics; fresh, springy green herbs; clean, fluffy cotton like the scent of freshly laundered towels jointed to that dried effect that smells medicinal, slightly bitter, and slightly musty to end up with sweet, creamy lavender-tonka ice cream. Being a natural perfume, skin chemistry can enhace some of this olfactive profiles and hydes others: in my case the lavender after the first 5-7 minutes becomes very creamy. Lurking to the side of the lavender accord is a rather abstract greenness. Hanging over everything is a generous spritzing of crisp, brisk, refreshing bergamot along with a sort of aerated whiteness that smells a lot like cool, clean aldehydes. The latter gives the top notes both a lift and an olfactory coolness that contributes to my mental images of the real Arcadia in Greece. The most beautiful part is when some tendrils of flowers appear. The official list of notes says rose, but I am quite sure there is also carnation and obviously geranium. These are really tiny tiny whiffs and I would have liked this part to be more prominent in real Victorian vintage style (but the overdose of flowers would have made it less contemporary and less wearable). Arcadia's second stage is centered around creamy, lightly sweetened lavender tonka (sandalwood) ice cream sprinkled with a handful of aromatic, clean-smelling, fresh lavender. This is the part I enjoy more and it is reminiscent in vibe (I repeat in Vibe) to Amouge Sunshine man when the lavender mixes with the vanilla and the orange blossom. At the end, the scent becomes resinous, spicy, and slightly smoky; this part works well with the lavander that is not aromatic or fougère-focused but, rather, deeply oriental, ambered, creamy, and spicy. This leatherness and smokiness grows during the final drydown. For my personal taste, I prefer my fougere to be a little more agressive like Bracken Man by Amouage or Fougere Bengale by Parfum d'Empire (i can mention also L'Art de la Guerre by Jovoy) or when they are more centered on the woods like Opus II by Amouage.Overall,, I would suggest Arcadia to those who like vintage fougere-like fragrances that are hard to find and for which absurd priced are paid. Instead of feeding this beast, we can rely on Hiram's well done work. Follow me on IG @alexolympia6 Thx

This is a standard, classic fougere perfume. Although, if you’re curious what a modern fougere would smell like if it was made with modern natural materials then you should reference Arcadia. The opening of Arcadia is stunning, but, then again, Hiram Green seems to be very good with openings and Arcadia is no exception. The classics of bergamot and lavender are present and lovely. Piquant and zesty energy from the bergamot puts a smile on your face, and oily and herbal lavender brings a muscular and clean soapy feeling. The heart is also quite arresting, but in a less attention grabbing way. The brand states jasmine, roses, spices, and resins, which is very likely true in terms of the natural materials used, but in summation and in this presentation I get more carnations and touches of incense resins that are immediately bolstered by tonka, patchouli, and sandalwood from the base. The heart is creamy and spicy floral in a very gentle way - like a carnation - while the incense resin pushes a bit of a green note as a natural link to the lavender. The base continues the theme with a green swath running through the middle of it from the patchouli that’s kept smooth and silky from the sandalwood and tonka. Arcadia is very handsome and very nicely done. How memorable you will find it to be depends upon how often you have smelled this very classic structure, or how much you gravitate to it. It is not likely full bottle worthy for me but I will definitely point people in Arcadia’s direction, especially if they want a fougere made with naturals.

Hiram's recent Arcadia is of a fougere nature: the fern, odorless, yet evocative of one of the most iconic scents, is exquisitely expressed in this work. The opening is bracing, like the rush of the chilled wind atop Mt. St. Helen in the rainy Fall - when the snow is not thick, but begins to lightly envelop the branches of the Pacific Silver Firs. The rose and jasmine combine with bergamot and an astringent lavender to recreate in essence a more "realistic" interpretation of the infamous English Fern (Penhaligon's). Whereas English Fern wears dense, artificial, and currently waxy in way, Arcadia is sheer, effervescent, and - expectedly - natural. Keep in mind though that the opening is quite bracing, perhaps jarring upon initial blast with this “wintergreen” slap. The base expresses itself with a smooth transition to the cooling tonka that imparts an unsweetened vanilla touch imparted with a nutty, smooth cashmere-like scent. Comforting and hypnotic in it it's pull. Men and women alike will enjoy, but certainly engage if you enjoy Molinard's Lavande, Rania J's Lavande 44, Penhaligon's Sartorial and English Fern, Houbigant's Duc de Vervins, and even Brut by Faberge! Hiram's Arcadia is the clearest, most evocative of the imaginary fern smell that we all know and love. Test first. *Purchased sample

This is a decidedly cold and austere fragrance. The opening is quite green and even a touch barnyardy, but it cleans up almost immediately. The lavender is icy, crisp, sharp and it melds with a leathery, spicy patchouli (not earthy, not chocolatey; cold patchouli). There’s no classic fougère vibe here; to me this is more of a cold aromatic and balsamic, and at times I even caught a faint rose-like nuance. It reminded me a bit of my Sleight of Fern. There’s also a very clear soapy facet. Even though the tonka in the base adds a whisper of warmth toward the drydown, the overall chill never really breaks. I liked this one quite a lot. Edit: Interestingly, even in the drydown I can still catch that faint barnyardy, leathery undercurrent rising up from the depths; even though nothing in the note list should be creating it. When I sample a fragrance, I make a point not to check the note list or read any reviews; I don’t want to be influenced. I only look afterward. So it was satisfying to see that others also picked up on that same austere lavender vibe that I did. Tag(s): cold lavender, patchouli, fern-like, austere, soapy

An initial cool, green, camphorous blast with a somewhat soapy, bracing lavender underneath. Within minutes, there’s a rather dark tonka note that makes me think of the clean, inedible “sweetness” of high-quality lotions or shampoos. Blends well with the “medicinal herb” vibes of the lavender & its mysterious green friend. There’s a very pleasant twinkling alternation between “bitter-medicinal lavender” and “lavender-tonka ice cream”. (though the texture is always rather translucent.) The far drydown is a dark, translucent tonka. Rich, cuddly, endlessly sniffable. This is a truly lovely, rich and luxurious lavender fougere. Not quite as elaborate as Bogue Mem, but nearly as mind-blowing. The lavender fougere is a traditionally masculine genre — you’ll hear it described as a “barbershop” scent — but this one is so plush and dandyish I think it works equally well on a woman. And, as always with Hiram Green, it’s amazing what they can do with one hand tied behind their back, given that it’s an “all-natural” fragrance house that doesn’t use synthetic aromachemicals.

Kind of a cool forest vibe with warm sun shining through; A very nice clash of sticky resin and tonka sweetness, clean lavender and some fresh florals. It will remind you of a few other fragrances in parts (Jicky in its early stages), but the balance here is excellent. It's a cool fougere, but it's also warm. I'm getting a bottle. edit: I just saw the creative brief/description, I swear I didn't just copy that! Good job in matching the fragrance to the feeling.

this opens with a slightly medicinal lavender with what i perceive as woody/green notes. i think it's the resins/patchouli. a bit later i get a hint of jasmine. it smells very realistic, like walking through the outdoors. there is something about this that is really addictive, and it makes me want to go on a nature walk. however, i am not sure this is super wearable for me, but i love how evocative it is.

Wonderful Elegant Old school Masculine Enough amber A balance worth mentioning Performance is good Projection is good Overall a very nice Frag Is it different - no Do I crave it - no A daily wear - definitely yes For older gentleman - absolutely The bottom line is I don’t need it but others might Nice one indeed

262 I was hoping this would be a fresher lavender with stronger supporting notes. It’s more masculine, fresh, dry, bitter, a little medicinal, a little menthol-like tuberose/jasmine? and the other notes don’t stand out significantly. I still have a little bit of Shangri la left and the dry down of Arcadia is in the skeleton of the lovely discontinued Shangri la. I can’t help but to be disappointed in this, as I was hoping for an interesting new fragrance with a punch from Hiram Green that would equal Shangri la’s beauty. It certainly made me realize how well SL was crafted (and there’s nothing else out there like it to replace it). Hiram if you’re reading, consider remaking Shangri la, just a slightly different version. I’d be fine without moss and would love a version with a touch more resins and sweetness. 6/10-too bad, not what I’m looking for, though I’m still evaluating it. Would not repurchase. Edit: Shangrila is back! And this one has grown on me, it’s different! 7/10

Opening is unapologetically old-fashioned and soapy with a rich, complex backbone of savory herbs. There's a slight 'baby wipes' situation going on. Like some of Hiram's other scents, it doesn't seem like it's here to make friends...it's a mature piece of artwork & dialogue with the history of perfumery. Definitely for vintage fragrance lovers. Once the scent mellows out, the lavender comes out and harshness subsides. Not for me, but I do appreciate what it's doing.

The opening of this was strongly medicinal and I immediately cringed from a perceived urine note. My teenage daughter on the other hand and who hates everything, perked up and asked me what I was testing and demanded I turn over the vial. Who would have guessed. After around ten minutes, it has smoothed out, with tonka and sandalwood now detectable and the offensive facets disappeared.

The opening is a bit noxious with the woods and spices, but after you nasally persist, it settles into a soapy lavender, floral idea. Still, I'm not the biggest fan of lavender and white florals all around and could pass on this, but anyone who likes that smooth and clean smell reminiscent of hand soaps would enjoy this quite a bit.

Not my kind of scent, smells overly soapy to me, like Irish spring soap. Same feeling i had about Amouage Gold (that one smells just like Dial Gold soap to me).

I love lavender but this just did noooot work for me. It’s resinous and herby and the spices and patchouli just add up to something that makes my stomach ache, sort of a faux mint feeling. May well be a body chemistry thing, as I swear it was less crazy when I smelled it on paper. Once again fresh spicy accords evade me.

Very strong lavender, reminds me of the smell you sense when you enter esoteric shops. Not my thing but might be good for lavender fans.

I never had much time for natural perfumes, being both unbothered by the risk of allergens and sceptical of their performance. Hiram Green has proved my preconceptions wrong. His invariably beautiful compositions are rich and expensive-smelling, often featuring unusual accords, and incredibly, their performance rivals the best available these days. Arcadia is a warm, rich amber scent with spices and earthiness, alongside an unexpected fougère edge that ties everything together nicely as well as adding interest. It opens with a beautiful Jicky-like lavender note, aromatic and restorative, joined presently by rich, resinous amber and soft spices. There is a peppery-green hint of perhaps geranium, which alongside the citrus and aforementioned lavender, makes for a high-quality fougère accord, but the amber and spices keep it from classic barbershop territory. The sweet-spicy, almost almond-like tonka bean note features prominently here, a refreshing and unusual addition - I find that tonka bean is usually hidden away among a multitude of base notes. There is a soft sweetness to Arcadia here - more honey-like than sugary, resulting in a smooth richness. Despite the sweetness, it is beautifully balanced and perfectly unisex. Clean jasmine provides most of the floral aspect, with a hint of powdery rose present as it dries down. It becomes woody as it dries down, with a nice cloud of earthy patchouli grounding it nicely. There is a soft hay-like note here too, and the remnants of the amber and spices keep things warm and luxurious. Sillage is strong and longevity is day-long. Arcadia does indeed evoke images of a forest floor and its lush undergrowth - just alongside a Coco-like spicy-amber accord. Arcadia takes inspiration from several classic scents, but the end product is quite idiosyncratic. Beautiful, opulent elegance in a bottle. Perfectly unisex - amber lovers (and natural perfume sceptics like myself) must try this. 4.5/5.

This scent mesmerizes me, seriously. From the indolic (particularly early on) through the beautiful spicy lavender, to the tonka weighted finish, I am in love (thanks to Elena K for pointing it out!). If you're one of those 'every second frag smells of (used) baby wipes' kinda people then maybe you need a sample of this to re-calibrate your senses! 🤣 The scent feels vibrant and engages the wearer as such. Scent progression changes a little; it's not dramatic - noticeable but subtle. However it's so fresh and vivid throughout. Takes my mind's eye to the works of Gaugin or Matisse. I have my bottle now, after sampling, and am choosing my times to wear because we're in Summer here. The fragrance (or the lavender) may be considered "cold" but it seems to get smashed in seriously strong heat (c. 35 C +). It's delicate, in that sense, and very European. A mild to slightly cooler weather fougere, perhaps. Certainly not propped up with ambroxan or ISO-E Super, that's pleasantly clear. Spraying liberally gives me a second, most fragrant skin. This one is a keeper for me - I know it. [PS. Not a big fan of these bottle caps even though they do seem reminiscent of a traditional Dutch hat, upside down].

A beautiful, freshly green opening fougère with exceptional longevity and the classiest amount of sillage at arms length. A true gentleman or gentle lady type of fragrance. Nothing ugly-delicious or trendy about it yet I highly recommend sampling if you’re a fougère aficionado just for the delightful pureness of the ingredients. For reference my favorite fougère is Fougère Bengale by Parfum d’Empire with it’s carmalized, honeyed lavender and tiniest bit of tobacco with a hay note. So, I’m clearly not a purest. This is still very, very enjoyable and worth the cost of a fb purchase bc the quality is outstanding.

I love it and I can't use it. The spicy wood opening is CLASSY and as it's drying down, I feel peppers are there with a pinch of mint. It's classy, it's put together well, it flows in the beginning. But for some reason I get an instant headache at first spray. It's probably a chemical thing, it just smells so good!! ahh it's shifting wood woodspice spice mint. that has to be the lavender. For me, a 2/10 Overall I'd say a 7/10

This is a denser and warmer interpretation of the fougère style. Lavender, spices, resins and moss create a rich composition reminiscent of classic French perfumery. Although I can appreciate the quality of the composition, it is not entirely aligned with my personal preferences. The scent leans warmer and more old-fashioned than what I typically wear, and I find myself preferring other fragrances within a similar style.

I respect Hiram Green for his ability to craft these with natural ingredients, but I have a hard time with this scent profile. It’s very classic, floral, and soapy - very “perfumey” usually not my vibe... but I do enjoy the drydown. And there is a smoothness to this that synthetic perfumes can’t replicate. I could see this growing on me with time. 4/5

I hate this combination. and I hate saying that. I can usually find a silver lining in every fragrance but this one is not resonating with me. I think the lavender and pachouli comes across as dirt on my skin. Maybe that is the point as a fougere meant to evoke the forest floor. I just dont want smell like this.

a wooden house, piles of lavender left drying on the floor. afternoon summer sun beaming through the windows. in the heart it gets a bit fresher but at the same time dusty, the old smell of dried herbs. very close to the traditional Marseille lavender soap but with a tiny sweetness somewhere far far away

A dense skanky floral animalic with Jasmine, leather, & smoke. The same sweaty body & head-shop incense notes of Salome by Papillon Artisan. With soapy lavender, syrupy amber, & myrrh similar to Serge Lutens Cuir Mauresque. masterfully blended Medium to strong projection.

I read that even lavender phobes could appreciate this but I don't think that's the case. You really must like strong soapy lavender to wear this.

Smells like if Axe Body Spray grew up a little bit. It's by no means a bad smell but I can't shake that impression.

I've been looking for a perfume version of Aveda's Confixor or Eros Pure-fume for decades, and this is it.

Ivory soap and spaghetti noodles. I have no idea what's going on in this fragrance but it's a hard pass.

Pure Tonka. If you wanna know what real natural tonka beans smells here Arcadia is what you need.

Impatiently waiting for someone to review this. Hiram Green can do no wrong.