Bolt of Lightning

JAR’s Bolt of Lightning didn’t strike me as its nickname implies. In fact, it was Jardenia that did it for me among JAR’s range. Nonetheless, Bolt of Lightning is an absolutely intriguing and unique fragrance that I very much loved as well. Bolt of Lightning opens with a camphor note easily recognisable as an aspect of tuberose. However, while most tuberose fragrances focus solely on the flower itself, JAR puts it among earth and dirt, which can occasionally translate as ozonic to me. Interestingly, from here on, I didn’t get much dampness reminiscent of thunderstorm. Bolt of Lightning actually turns drier like dead, dried leaves, with a medicinal touch that almost remind me of ginseng. After about 90 minutes, tuberose the flower finally makes her main entrance. It’s nothing like the radiant Carnal Flower or the diva Fracas, here in Bolt of Lightning, it’s silky at first and almost feels demure, quietly stepping out of the green, dirt shadow. The tuberose continue to emit its velvety aroma for another 3 hours. Then, here comes a subtle mushroom cheese nuance and skews the tuberose into something more akin to gardenia. Surprisingly, a discreet clove note also starts to rise up and becomes quite noticeable after about 9 hours, where its spicy, tart aroma makes the gardenia seem like wilted and in the process of decay, which smells totally addicting to me. The sillage is very close, and the longevity is around 11 hours. Even though I didn’t get the thunderstorm image or a striking emotional reaction with Bolt of Lightning, but it firmly grows on me, and I just couldn’t stop sniffing my arm with its layered fragrance and unique combination. With its already exclusive status and being discontinued, it might as well be a forever lost unicorn. But if you happen to get the chance to smell it, I highly recommend!

The wind still holds its breath after the palpable tension and unbearable heaviness of the silence have just torn and released their electric charge into the night. The ambient temperature seems to have dropped by half within seconds. Single heavy drops of rain are starting to hit the cool, thick and fleshy leafs of the forest overhead, slowly first then pounding rhythmically increasing their relentless staccato up to a reckless frequency as if commanded by an angry ancient jungle Goddess of the elements. Enter Bolt of Lightning whose opening blast to me describes the seconds after lightning has struck: damp, earthy surroundings of an intensely vegetal and green tropical biosphere, and an electrifying, sharp and dry inner core. As nature calms tuberose rises - at first silky and velvety but soon maturing to heady earthy exoticism and her now half rubiaceous life's circle eventually being closed by mushroomy decay - less morbid than that encountered in the animalic and rotten Ferme tes Yeux and the darker Jardenia, and slightly sweetened by woody spice. The tuberose shows with greater authority and assertiveness than Jardenia's floral counterpart but radiates with no greater pervasiveness. The real shame is that, apparently, BoL will never be produced again as JAR refuses to adjust prices in order to keep producing the fragrances he reportedly makes no money from. I wonder whether this is as close to an absolute certainty as could be possible considering it's the volatile JAR we are talking about here. But alas I fear this could be the sad truth even though it's proven inevitable that, given time, lightning does strike twice in the same spot.

Bolt of Lightning is the heaviest, supremely realistic, lush tuberose! It opens with a dark tropical green, vegetal accord. Smells like disturbed leaves in a jungle during a hurricane. Then, the most sumptuous tuberose gust. A ripe and torrid tuberose. Not the sweet, light note found in happy, easy to wear scents. No, this is a sweaty, sultry bloom. This is the smell of a tropic tuberose on a sweltering night at the height of its' prime. Sensual and so authentic that you are in equatorial paradise. Amazing transitions, even hours into the drydown you still smell nuances of the dusky steaminess of the flower. Masterful scent. I want a bottle! This is the perfume of a jungle goddess.

"Bolt of Lighting" So I finally had my JAR experience.. After trying 7 fragrances without knowing which was which, I was asked to choose my favorite. "You just chose the Bolt of Lightning", I heard. Just like a lightning waking me up from a sleep, I literally held my breath and stopped when I smelt this. JAR never tells their clients the notes of their perfumes. But I smell heavenly ginseng and vetiver, enfolding a bouquet of potent tuberose and incense. It is energizing and intoxicating. The staying power is at least 10 hours on me. -AlmondBreakfast-

I actually have Diamond Water. Very spicy/floral. The gentleman smiled when I said it smelled like carnations which I love. Bought it for my wedding. I didn't get married, but now I have a very expensive perfume that most people don't understand.