Niral by Bertrand Duchaufour for Neela Vermeire Creations 2018

Hello Posse Peeps! Little in the world of Independent Niche Perfumery gets the scentbloggosphere talking more than a release from Neela Vermeire. Whether you are a fan like me or haven’t yet found the NVC scent that sings for you still there is a frisson of excitement for something produced with such love, determination and skill. Neela herself is often cited as the most difficult of Duchaufour’s creative directors and she will famously take more iterations than any other house to get her dream to perfection. Niral is no different. Neela’s dedication to bringing you a no-holds-barred artistic creation is something I have been though with her on a couple of her perfumes. The stress and anxiety she puts herself through is extraordinary and the finished product always shows her need for perfection.

You may know that Mohur is my favourite NVC fragrance, let’s see how Niral measures up.

Niral by Bertrand Duchaufour for Neela Vermeire Creations 2018

Neela Vermeire Creations gives these featured accords:
Iris, Pink pepper, Tea, Turkish Rose, Lie de vin verte, Cabreuva, Angelica seed, Ambrette seed, Cardamom, Leather, Magnolia, Jasmine absolute, Sandalwood, Cedar

My sample from Neela finally arrived yesterday. I have been watching in wracked and jealous anticipation as so many other bloggers have received theirs and written about Niral. (Insert picture of me screaming, with steam coming out my ears and incandescent with FOMO and outrage)

So how does Niral smell?

Pink pepper and pink roses, dried tea leaves, leather and woods are all there at opening. It’s nuanced, delicate and very pretty. A herbaceous green smelling rose, slightly spiced and sweetened but not enough to be jammy. Niral smells expensive and modern, far more American than previous NVC releases, yet still manages to nod flirtily to French tradition and Indian attars.

The rose is stunning, sheer yet fully present. As if you are smelling a rose at high altitude in the cool dark morning air. I also taste something mineral like drinking from clear, cold spring water at a temple in the mountains of South Korea.

Creamy soft woods peek through in dry down but the sweet roses never leave.

Niral NVC

If you are already a fan of the Neela Vermeire fragrances then this is a no-brainer but if before you have never found your true love from the line then Niral could be the one.

LuckyScent has $250/60ml

Which of the Neela Vermeire Creations have you tried?
Portia xx

 

 

  • Amy says:

    Just got my sample today and have already ordered a bottle. It’s so elegant and lovely, perfect for the spring that might eventually arrive here. I love Mohur, Bombay Bling, and Rahele – this is closest to the latter, no? – but all of them really.

  • Neva says:

    Mohur is my favourite of all the NV perfumes and when you said pepper and rose combo, I think Niral will also be the right one for me. Can’t wait to try it! And that bottle…beautiful.

  • Ann says:

    Oooh, oooh — lucky you, Portia!! This sounds wonderful; your lovely writing about it makes my nose twitch in anticipation! I loved her original three (and especially later the Mohur extrait) best of all, so am hoping this one will join them. Hoping Surrender to Chance will get it soon. Thanks!!

  • Joe says:

    Very much looking forward to getting my nose near this one, Portia dear. Like you, I truly love Mohur the most, though I also own a bottle of the beautiful fruity-woody Ashoka and have enjoyed all of the NVC scents. Thanks for this review.

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    I’ve only tried Bombay Bring which unfortunately smells like heaps of fermented exotic fruit moldering atop heaps of old fetid flowers, but I can tell how gorgeous it is smelling it on my sister, for instance. I’ve also been wanting to try her others and still not gotten around to it, so now this one joins the list! Really lovely review, thank you, Portia!

  • Musette says:

    OMG! My mouth is watering (or maybe my nose? ew). I am Bombay Bling, allll the way! but this??? ooh! xoxoxo

    • Portia says:

      HA HA HA HA HA! I can totally see you saying (or maybe my nose? ew) and it had me laughing out loud here.
      Yeah, I think you might like this Musette.
      Portia x

  • HeidiC says:

    I love love love Ashoka — in fact, when my friend and I went to Arielle Shoshana’s I bought Ashoka and she bought Bombay Bling! I really liked Pichola though it didn’t last long on me. Mohur, it depends on the day — it’s such a shapeshifter, and some days I like it and some days, when the rose is too dominant, I don’t. I’ll definitely have to give Niral a sniff, if I get the chance!

    • Portia says:

      Hey there HeidiC,
      Yeah, Ashoka is special to me too. I was lucky enough to smell some of the mods as it was coming together and feel totally connected to it.
      Jin also finds the rose in Mohur hit & miss, his fragrance is Bombay Bling from the line.
      Portia xx

  • DinaC says:

    I’ve tried Ashoka, Trayee, and Mohur I think. Can’t remember if I tried Bombay Bling. All of them have been really good, but then I enjoy Duchaufour’s work generally speaking. This new one sounds like something I want to sniff. Loved your description Portia!

    • Portia says:

      Thanks DinaC,
      I like Duchaufour’s work too. If his name is signed on the frag I’ll try to get my sniff on it.
      Portia x

  • Tara says:

    Oh wow. This sounds right up my street, Portia, with the pepper, roses and dried tea leaves. I love that there is also something that reminds of you of spring water in the mountains of South Korea. Hope I get to try it with you in London next month.

  • Tara C says:

    I have tried the first three, hoping this will be the one that makes me fall in love. My sample is on the way. Neela is such a wonderful lovely person that I want to find one of her scents to make my own. Mohur and Trayee were close. I feel bad that I don’t yet own any, even though I love her and B. Duchaufour.