Terre d'Iris

I was lucky enough to be gifted with six carded samples of Miller-Harris perfumes (wrapped lovingly in the House's signature ribbon) by another wonderful member. On first sniff of all the vials, I liked Jasmin Vert the best. I wore that one and really liked it. But I must say, on applying THIS to my skin this morning I believe I have found a new love... This opens with an absolutely wonderful citrus accord. Not too sharp, not too sour. Bergamot and bitter orange play SO well together! I expected (from the name) something earthy, cool yet floral and almost dark (earth of iris); something that smelled like dirt covered roots and thick purple flowers...but NO! This is clean and crisp, then becomes more green and herbal. Rosemary and sage add a mediterranean flavor along with a light floral blend of rose and orange blossoms-spectacular! Iris is always watching though, and in the top you can sniff that she is around, somewhere. In the heart she makes her presence known. My God is this gorgeous!! This has some bitterness, but not anything off-putting or too sharp. Some may say medicinal; I say "aromatic". Cool, clean (vaguely soapy) and green: this defines irises without any of the powdery or metallic associations most use. I may have never been to the Mediterranean...but now my NOSE has! WOW! Iris dominates the drydown, crowned in moss and decked in pine (fir), she is regal and here emenates her glory as sharp and soft green notes bring her own to the fore. The "earth" part comes when a very muted patchouli and warm resin add an ever so slightly oriental feel to this; but never quite disrespect the Iris, by speaking over her. All the notes here are very VERY well blended. This is one of those great perfumes that seems to fade away quicker than you would like, due to it's cunning construction, but is still there...like a natural extension of one's self. Spectacular!! Sillage: good Longevity: very good Overall: 4.75/5 I often find "louder" more projective perfumes to be superior (like Iris Noir) and really enjoy both the Infusion d'Iris and Infusion d'Homme. If you love irises (as I do) and want something that catches their cool, dark nature without lots of pomp and production, while still being well-made and elegant, do yourself a favor and try this. You'll be so glad you did...here quality does trump quantity. *Note to self: Must get more...*

I have a generous fellow fragrance traveller to thank for introducing me to the house of Miller Harris, which in a matter of mere months has leapt up to now number among my favorite perfumers! I am very impressed with the creations of Lyn Harris, and TERRE D'IRIS joins the ranks of the many other fine perfumes of this house of which I'd love to have a full bottle. The opening of TERRE D'IRIS is rather citrusy, but it is shortlived, ceding to a beautiful blend of flowers, herbs and, yes, earthiness, imparted apparently by a combination of patchouli, moss, balsam and fir, which are listed as basenotes. I do not detect any of these elements individually. Instead, what I find is a seamless blend of all of the various elements in this composition. The iris is not quite to the point of being soapy (as in classic perfumes), but it is definitely more like orris root than flower petals. Yet TERRE D'IRIS really is floral in addition to being earthy. The sensation I have while wearing this perfume is that of walking through a beautiful forest bursting with floral life. The soil is dark and rich and soft but not wet, creating a sponge-like effect under my feet. Sunshine is streaming through the leaves and needles of the tall, majestic trees reaching up to the heavens. This is simply a wonderful perfume. I'm not sure whether my vial (now drained...) contained eau de toilette or eau de parfum, but the longevity and sillage are both good on my skin. TERRE D'IRIS is definitely going on my wish list!

I find this to be an incredible composition of notes and one can literally appreciate the different stages in this perfume because each stage is so distinctive. It starts with the bergamot. It is fresh and clean and citrusy. I then got the bitter orange and the combination smelled like the early morning hours of a sunny Spring day; I smelled fresh grass and wet dirt. It was amazing and it gave my mind a lift. This "green" stage lasted a good while. It then starts to morph into the African orange flower which is also earthy and green but tempered with the sweetness of the Rose. The middle is a beautiful floral stage that is happy and bright. It ends with the gorgeous iris blooming big time and the powdery orris. It is just beautiful. The woods are not harsh but they're there to keep it earthy and close to nature. This is not a sweet iris like Prada's Infusion d'Iris or Acqua di Parma's Iris Nobile which I also own and love. This one definitely connects you to the earth thus the "Terre" in a wonderful way. This perfume reminded me of Cacharel's Eden which I bought in Spain when it first came out and I adored and wore for years and it also reminds me of another favorite - Gucci Rush in the drydown stage. Regardless of the fact that it unfortunately does not last for too long on my skin, I personally think Terre d'Iris is a work of art.

I'm not a fan of chypre, they're often a bit sharp and cold, which doesn't suit the coldish climate I live in. I'm generally looking for warmth and comfort from my scent. This chypre appeals, because it has no sharp edges to my nose, it has soft savoury herbs, a certain amount of warmth and comfort in the middle and base. Initially it smells soapy, it doesn't last long but I like it. As the day wears on it becomes a scent I'm only vaguely aware of, but it's definitely there. It could probably be layered with other scent, because it doesn't assert it's personality, it's so soft and subtle it would make room for others. I think it smells like a well made perfume. It also immediately made me think of Safari by Ralph Lauren(I think),the first time I sprayed it,it could be the top notes only, I'm not sure. They're definitely related.

This is quite an unique iris scent with personality! Opens up with blooming pleasant florals, accentuated with iris and orange flower, contrasted by fir and oakmoss. It is soft, modern, classic, slightly powdery floral frag. I wanna keep on sniffing it more; don't think I smelled anything like it. This fragrance spells out femininity. All age. I find that many iris fragrances smell like plain powdery iris, which I am a fan of, but smelling 50 versions of the same thing gets kind of boring. Not the case here. Somebody actually took upon to explore this wonderful note and put it into a beautiful composition, " iris with a set", made it just right! Excellent quality and 5 hours longevity.

I had a sample of Terre d'Iris when I was at the university.I remember that I sprayed on my clothes and then went to class. Both of my friends asked me what I wore? Its smell is very good! Terre d'Iris is dry, powdery and woody iris and little bir different than other iris perfumes. I found it quite nostalgia and someting is from 60's because of patchouli. I really like it. I need the bottle!

There is nothing not to love in this gorgeous multi-dimensional masterpiece. Starts out rather sharp and somewhat masculine...an herbal woody citrus explosion for the senses..at this point it's a like not a love...but then the drydown is culinary magic...think purple flower jam on buttered toast. This is my new seasonal favorite as the final phase is soft and fresh for a hot summer day.

This is a wonderful citrusy-herbal iris. Thankfully, it's not dusty and powdery as most iris fragrances tend to be. The mix is very pleasant and appealing. Smells Earthy and green, mineral, definitely unisex. I really like it, but it disappears on me rather quickly.

I have owned my bottle for around 5 years and I still love this one!! It's perfect for early spring when you know the warmth and flowers are on the way but they just haven't arrived yet. The base notes are perfect to carry this from winter into spring.

Today I had the chance to try this at Department store. I sprayed on my coat. wow I am totally in love. Definately on my Want list now. A bit masculine on drydown but very classy.

I’ve been on an unashamedly extravagent perfume kick recently I’m afraid. Blind buys, compete chances, and used bottles from ebay. Today I received this perfume and wearing it throughout the afternoon and evening I realise I have discovered something amazing. Unisex, bold, not overly floral, herby, This is an intoxicating perfume. Earthy and yet otherworldly. Managing to be both modern and yet somehow familiar in an old skool kind of way. I should be able to explain its notes but I’ll leave that to those who are better suited. Its cocooning me in a rapturous fug of deliciousness. I want to share it. Out of everything I’ve bought recently, more miller harris, diptyque,guerlain, etc this is the winner. Easily. I have about 80 mls and I know how miller harris get rid of perfumes so I’ve eyed up a back up bottle already. It’s utterly beautiful. But don’t overspray!!!

Terre d'Iris by Miller Harris is a woody iris that oscillates between shower-fresh and earthy forest. Worn by both Titania and Oberon, TdI was created by the forest itself from spring rain, roots, herbs, moss, and pixie dust. One thing that I really enjoy about MH perfumes is that although most of the notes are ‘natural’, the end result is a proper perfume that is more than the sum of its parts. TdI is (literally) down to earth enough to wear casually, yet deceptively complex—powdery while green and alive. Just gorgeous. 4/5

As Cinsot said before, bitter orange on top is quite noticeable but I think this fragrance is sweet too. I would describe it as a mineral, floral, earthy sweetness, far from gourmand. It's a soapy perfume that reminds me of the exquisite A Scent by Issey Miyake, but with lots of extra sugar, so the general impression is not so "green" as in A Scent, but more syrupy-floral. I thought that I loved it but now I don't think I would buy a full bottle. It's getting too sweet to my taste.

On paper, it smelled gorgeous. A iris/suede combo similar to L'artisan Parfumeur's Skin on Skin yet is balanced with the top note of fresh citrus. On my skin, the citrus was overwhelmed by the creamy suede note and got very warm. Could be heaven to some but unfortunately not to my liking. **** EDIT: I gave it another try and this time the citrus stayed longer to couple up with iris. My favorite in the whole MH line.

I really enjoy the quirky, almost plastic-like iris note--it's my favorite kind of iris (coming from an iris-holic). It reminds me of vintage makeup, wax lips and craft stores. Terre d'Iris has this type of iris in the beginning, accompanied by some garden herbs. Sadly, my skin eats this perfume up within an hour (sig other can't smell it either), and I cannot say much more about it.

if you expect iris:it is more an orange flower and lots of bitter orange, neroli, a bit of earthy patchouli for a long time....in the style of a complex (but sweet) cologne...iris is there but not the mainplayer, it lends the compositions it's dry powder, keeps it from beeing juicy and only becomes a little stronger in the drydown when it gets soft and lets loose its flowers...

A strong chypre fragrance. Very soapy too. The notes I mostly smell are citrus, white flowers, moss, patchouli, and sweet resins with a slight incense. I can hardly detect the iris unless I really try to find it. It smells like an old school scented soap. I like it, but I get tired or somewhat annoying of it after wearing it for a while.

It started citrusy with a bitter note - almost like a men's cologne, that lasted about half an hour. Only then earty and slightly sweet iris started to come out and the scent became cosier and a bit creamy. Very interesting woody unisex fragrance. It lasted about 8 hours, projection is on the weaker side, unfortunately.

a beautiful "green" iris fragrance, linear but a little bit woodier in the drydown with a hint of light and airy patchouly/iris accord... smells very light and fresh. truly unisex.

Immediate like. Scent creativity- 3/5 Longevity- 2/5 Iris Dominance- 1/5 chypre, rose. Not long lasting. Citrus soapiness. Effervescent Iris.

I've owned this one for several years, and try as I might, it just doesn't do anything for me. I guess I don't find it very interesting. I also find it weird. I love iris perfumes, but this doesn't really smell like iris to me whatsoever. It opens up very purple pastel, with lots of violet and powder. At first, it seems like there is some orris powder, and something oddly licorice-like such as star anise, but as it dries down it starts to just smell weirdly chalky, reminding me of multivitamins. I think I detect some herbs if I scrutinize, but they are smothered in chalk. I prefer many other iris perfumes over this one, so I will sell this bottle. That also reminds me--look at the Reminds Me section. It's all over the map! It smells like all sorts of different things to different people. I feel like it's confused about what it really is. Is it an iris, fragrance, a floral, an herbal one? Too much going on, yet no distinct character. Just not a fan.

Sorry but as an MH fan this doesn't hit the spot for me - very very mild and powdery iris/floral notes and the initial citrus burst doesn't survive long. I'm just not smelling half of the wonderful things mentioned below, at all, at any stage - although the point about it being a 'game of two halves' (fresh up top, sandier/powderier below) definitely stands. On me, this is gentle and light in all the good ways, and feels classy and natural rather than synthetic - but just so evanescent. Not half as assertive as Miller Harris Pamplemousse or Cassis en Feuille for example. Pleasant but forgettable.

I'm not a fan of Miller Harris at all, but I always try them to see if there is one that agrees with my chemistry. So far no, and sadly Terre d'iris is no different. I get no iris at all from it, nothing even vaguely floral. A burst of sharp citrus, a very woody moss, but then fairly quickly it turns soapy and sour. Two hours later some of the soap has gone leaving slightly bitter woods. Sad truth is I should give up on Miller.

I don't think it's a typical powdery iris scent that I'm used to. More of a earthy, woody scent. Lots of oak moss, some spices as well. Something is bitter in it. It's definitely a perfume that takes some time to get used to. It's manly, not even unisex. Not sweet at all, not fresh at all. Strong woody scent.

A cheapy orange blossom base like a detergent is mixed with cheapy herbs, especially a sweet fur note, and rosemary, and sage makes a banal men's after-shave scent, a touch of powdery Iris is not to save anything.

There's a base to Miller Harris as there is with Guerlain and Chanel. I am a frequent wearer of L'Air d'rein, created for Jane Burkin by Lynn Harris, it's a fave. I bought a little travel set of Rose En Noir, Tuberose, and Fleurs d'Orient before buying this bottle of Terre d'Iris and I have to say these four have a similar base. Terre d'Iris is the best of this group, it opens beautifully, you can't help but utter something as it dissipates on your skin. The masculine side of it comes next, wow, a man could wear this. It does change, becomes carroty for a few moments before moving to powder and that Miller Harris base. But throughout the essence of the perfume is there and it's not shy, has good projection, good durability. It is a lovely experience, I have yet to try it in hot weather, but it's very nice in cool temperatures as befits an iris scent. It's a lovely fragrance, I'd still choose L'Air d'Rien over it, but this is a close runner up.

This is a very beautiful fragrance. It opens with a rather metallic fresh top note to me that reminds me of another fragrance from the past, but I just can ́t put my finger on it-or rather nose:. Looking at the notes above I guess it must be the bitter orange that gives it that metallic bright opening mingling with something earthy. I get the iris pretty much at the beginning and I smell it all the way through, but it is also very herbal and mossy. I don ́t get much patchouli at all in the base. I just get a sight soapy woodiness if that makes sense. It ́s very beautiful for all of ten minutes, but unfortunately this symphony of competing notes is far too fleeting to justify buying a full bottle. I do think it is a wonderful composition though. If only it would stay put for a while, sigh.

It's an iris that reminds me of fig leaves and fig milkyness. The greenness of undefined spring flowers mixed with hints of buttery powderness and earthy notes of light patchouli and woods to ground it. Yes, nothing heavy here, but it still feels grounded, it's indeed "Terre". Notes of orange and rose for some sweetness. Grapefruit sharpness, much unexpected, counterpoints the cold paleness of iris, makes it alive as if it grew on some Mediterranean island. A complex, unorthodox scent. One of my summers was totally marked by it.

I have a love-hate relationship with Terre d'Iris. The opening is citrusy with bitter orange and spices. To me it has herbal qualities from the first moment. After a while I smell iris , earth, herbs all of them wrapped in slightly spicy twist. The drydown is powdery iris and lots of herbs which remain on skin for hours.. Overall it is a very unique fragrance , a bit too earthy for my liking . Very good lasting power and minimum silage .

On my skin, this opens with a masculine-style citrusy tune, and then the florals emerge. I can only smell a small garden, one that doesn't over-power the senses. Restrained. There is something about the combination of notes that reminds me of Indian incense (the way some Indian grocery stores smell of nag champa, spices, herbs). So strange and magical how the same perfume can reveal such different melodies on others.

Bright opening with a burst of citrus and green herbal. Dries having a kind of "french perfume" feeling brought in with the florals, along with a a soapy touch. After which, Terre d'Iris evolves into a "cashmere sweater" soft powder aroma. Very nice development, very pretty perfume!

Just got me a 50ml, second hand, 99% full. A wonderful surprise! What a pretty perfume! Uplifting, bright like sunbeam. It resides somewhere between Rochas Lui and Dior Homme. More buttery than soapy, kinda “carroty” with a sweet “purple” undertone. Gorgeous.

The opening and middle phase I do not appreciate very much, as it is very soapy and somehow synthetic. but the drydown is amazingly beautiful - and smells exactly like Bottega Veneta Eau Legere (probably thanks to patchouli and oakmoss). Love the drydown.

wearing this most beautiful fragrance today as it reminds me of the Mediterranean where I should be now if not for Covid 19 Men should smell wonderful in this too.. It actually reminds me of my father

This one reminds me Iris Ukiyoe by Hermes, watery iris. Quite milky hazy Orange Blossom and Iris Combination is.

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II by Gustav Klimt 1912