by TOM
Okay, this is a big rose. A big huge cabbage rose the size of a globe artichoke. One that’s almost blowsy-looking. The kind that smells of spices, the kind that if you have a bouquet of it had better be in a room the size of a small branch library lest its big, fat rosiness threaten to strangle you.
It’s exactly the kind of rose that I don’t like. It’s Just. Too. Much. So much that I am not going to wear it more than this one day to see if I can stand it.
But you know what? I had three strangers compliment me on it and by BFF raved about how great it smelled when we were having coffee. So it may not be me; perhaps it’s you.
$75 for 34ML at IndieScents, where I got the sample
Tom, I always marvel at how you manage to totally crack me up AND make me want to sample something with so few words. Death by rose – bring it on! :-)
tmp00 Reply:
June 27th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
I’m shooting for Haiku.. :d
Rappleyea Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Fragrant and cloying,
Your perfume is my poison -
Death by strangling rose. ;-)
Francesca Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 6:46 am
ITA!
Francesca Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 6:47 am
Meaning Nozknoz’s comment.
I love a big rose some days. I just recently (yesterday!) became acquainted with Sonoma Scent Studio, and I’m pretty smitten, so I may end up trying this one, too….
Tom Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:45 am
If you like your roses big with a large “b” then I think this will please you!
This has been on my *need to sample* list forever. Love SSS in general, but haven’t found just the right rose yet, altho Velvet Rose is close. Your writing is marvelous in it’s succinctness, Tom; I’ve long admired your style. If anyone can pull of perfume review haiku, it would be you. :)
I just plucked a rosa rugosa (ow!) and thought of your review – you make this sound wonderful – in a very weird way!
Can’t wait to try it!
xo
ps. I second (third?) the haiku!
Tom Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Thanks!
Do Japanese roses do well in pots?
Musette Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I don’t know any roses that do well in pots – but I live in Illinois, where a potted rose doesn’t do well outside of a conservatory – at least not in the
‘s garden. Rugosas are very sturdy and do very well here. In the ground. Pots, no. For you? Prolly. And I envy you for it!
xoxoA
I’m finding that rose scents are growing on me and to be honest that sort of freaks me out. I’ve always associated rose perfumes with either women of my grandma’s generation and/or the gutter-punk chicks from high school who always smelled like b.o, stale cigarette smoke and Tea Rose perfume. Oh gawd I’m going to have that scent memory stuck in my head for days…
I blame it all on Safran Troublant. It was my, “Oh! A rose I like.” moment which was followed by experimenting with rose in other formulas. So thanks, I like SSS and I will be ordering my sample of this today! Please someone shoot me if I start smelling like b.o, stale cigarette smoke and roses.
Tom Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:49 am
Ha! I’m sure that Etat Libre will be coming out with a little something soon with just those notes!
Joanna Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
I had to order a sample of their Jasmin et Cigarettes just to see if it was similar to that scent memory! Thankfully no! Although Divin’Enfant is #1 on my odors I never want to smell again list.
Perfect summer scent; I already smell like the first two!
Tom Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:49 am
It is a nice summer scent!
Tom – I love your review of Rose Musc. It is actually one of my favorite roses of all. I.LIKE.BIG.ROSES.
What I like most about Rose Musc though is that about 7 hours after I’ve worn it, up to even the next morning when I wake up, there is this amazingly wonderful labdanum still lingering, like it melted all over my skin. I can’t get enough of that rose-labdanum combo which is a match made in heaven.
You will appreciate this though: one time I put it on, and dear hubby of mine who actually likes rose fragrances said: “did you open a bottle of wine?” It took me a minute to realize he was smelling the deep rose in RM. Ha. I love it.
Tom Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:50 am
It does have a bit of winyness to it.
And you’re right about the labdanum
Great review, Tom! I’m not a rose fan either (only Nahema and only on certain days) but I am a huge fan of Laurie’s, although more her non-rose scents: Champagne de Bois and Incense Pure are two favorites. I’m testing some new ones for her now that are gorgeous and also not rose.
For the rose lovers here, I’d also recommend her Cameo, a soft, romantic rose/violet combo. It’s more rose on me however.
OperaFan Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 11:12 am
Oh yes – Cameo: Roses, Violets, Labdanum, and Sandalwood….
If we’re starting to talk rose scents in general, I have to recommend Evelyn, by (I know, I know!) Crabtree and Evelyn. But this one isn’t as generic-market-y as the name brand implies. The company worked with David Austin, the breeder of English roses, and he actually named Evelyn for the rose which produces this perfume. Owning the perfume – and growing Evelyn roses in my backyard – I’ve compared the stuff in the bottle to the bloom on the bush. I think they’ve nailed it. If you’re looking for a soliflore rose scent, give Evelyn a try.
Tom Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 10:51 am
I’ll have to try that one!
Musette Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
oooh! me, too! I love Austin roses, though growing them in IL is challenging (Griffith Buck roses do better here). I love the idea of an Austin rose scent!
xo
KirstenMarie Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 8:37 am
This is a strong rose, but I get some spicy scents underneath. It’s my happy scent!
jen Reply:
July 2nd, 2011 at 1:49 pm
I have that rose bush and it smells heavenly.
fun review.
i was left with one question: any musk in this one? i don’t mind a good rose, and i love a good musk. so… how does the musk rate?
As a complete non-sequitor, I was reading a Serge Lutens interview and now am trying to think how to work the phrase “The chrysanthemum is tinged with bitterness” into a conversation.
nozknoz Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
That IS a great phrase! Sounds like a great answer to a lot of questions, too, LOL! For example, the answer to “How are you?” on Mondays.
I like her Vintage Rose. Mmmmm…plummy
Your review made me laugh. I am a lover of rose in all her forms and this is definitely a Big Rose. It is lovely in winter, I haven’t sprayed it so much recently.
In other words, I will love it, right? I can wear several generous spritzes of vintage YSL Paris without turning a hair (although I can’t say the same for people around me) so this is must-try for me!
Musette Reply:
June 28th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
(you are either Heaven or Hell to sit next to on the subway, depending upon your seatmate’s
love (or hate). I’d sit next to you in a nanosecond! 
xxoxoxo
Flora Reply:
June 29th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Yeah, but Tom would jump out the window! :-D
Flora Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Update – I just got a sample of this in a swap! And yes I LOVE IT! Somebody sent me some Velvet Rose a while back which I also love. Guess I better see if SSS has any other roses I “need” to try.
Oh, I love all of her roses — I wear Rose Musc as well as Velvet Rose and Vintage Rose. I think they are all very well done, and certainly pleasing to any big, lush rose enthusiast.
This is one is a perfect summer rose, in my book.
[...] was a brief review of Rose Musc on Perfume Posse Wednesday. Tom found it to be too much rose for himself but said he received quite [...]