Hiya Posse, It seems that my Happy Surprises 2024 post did not have my review for Saint Honore (YES I know Saint Honoré but SEO). The title was there but not the spiel which was supposed to be there but sadly it was not. No, I’m not sure if WordPress ate it, I pressed a wrong button or I didn’t write it. I really thought I did but… So here I am today talking about it because it’s so lovely and I want you to try it. Well, I would like you to join me wearing it and if you feel like it might suit you THEN I want you to try it.
From the brand: “A captivating perfume inspired by the delicacy and sophistication of the famous French pastry, Saint-Honoré is an invitation to happiness… an olfactory experience inviting you on a unique sensory journey blending nostalgia, modernity, and indulgence”
Saint Honore by Nicolai Parfumeur Createur 2024
Nicolai Parfumeur Createur gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot essence, Pepper essence
Heart: Hazelnut, Orange flower, Accord Milk
Base: Vanilla absolute, Sandalwood essence, Musk, Dry Amber
Saint Honore is a pastry? How did I not know this? I thought it might be a fragrance referencing the street in Paris like 24 Faubourg or 31 Rue Cambon (can you believe no one has reviewed 31 Rue Cambon here on the Posse?). Anyway, a pastry invented in 1847 by Auguste Julien and named for the French patron saint of bakers.
OHHHHHH! Nutty citrus and cream. Sweet, crunchy caramel and a scent that I can’t put a name to. It’s like the smell of turning on a clean electric oven but not quite, hot metal maybe, hot something. This other note stops the fragrance from being a super sweet gourmand and takes it in a very niche, envelope pushing direction. It’s not overly weird, and not confrontational, but it makes Saint Honore really interesting. I don’t know if you have a rice cooker, one of the rice pressure cookers? Jin has a whizz bang one and about halfway through the cook it lets off steam. The most mouth watering, unbelievably gorgeous smell. Though this note is not like that, it does remind me of its allure. Not really food, kind of cooker-y and a little metallic.
The lactonic/creamy woods base is very amber rich and so comforting. Does everyone feel this way about amber? It flicks the safety button in my psyche and suddenly I can properly exhale.
Saint Honore is such a niche offering. I can’t think of anything quite like it and if you are still at the point where you want to sniff special and unusual beauties then you might not want to miss your chance.
I bought a decant from Surrender To Chance
So, do you want to try it?
Portia xx
I sampled Saint Honore and enjoyed the wear, mostly milk and sandalwood I thought. I have a fb of Macaron Bourbon from this same line and unfortunately not enjoying that as much as I thought I would, headed for the swaplist.
BUMMER about Macaron Bourbon VerbenaLuvvr, thank goodness we all swap and sell our mistakes. Makes the buyers remorse drama recede.
Portia xx
The only one from the Nicolai line up that I have is Number One Intense. It’s a huge tuberose and I have just recently fell in love with tuberose. Right now, I am not so into accumulating more decants. I did enough damage with the Luckyscent free shipping for everything.
OOOHHHHHH! How fabulous. Free Shipping is a BIG incentive. What did you score Eldarwen22?
Portia xx
Augh you are KILLING ME I have to try this one!!!!! I completely missed it. Also I adore the smell of cooking rice (usually jasmine).
HA! Sorry March.
Cooking rice is such a joyful smell. Honestly, most of the yummy food smells are pretty good to me.
Portia xx
Ooh this is sounds good! I have several Nicolai loves and this immediately went to the top of the to try list.
Hi Rosarita,
YAY! Another Nicolai fan.
I hope it brings you joy when you try it.
Portia x
I am familiar with the pastry Saint Honore because The Great British Bake Show did a whole mini segment on it, going to France, showing it being made, and then of course, requiring the amateur bakers to make ones too. I’d rather eat one than smell one! But you describe it very thoroughly, and I have a great respect for the Parfums de Nicholai house. She’s the granddaughter of Papa Guerlain himself.
Hey DinaC,
Yes she is the granddaughter of Papa Guerlain. When we went and did a day with her at the Osmotheque some of our crew were very upset for her that she had never ascended but she seemed very happy with the way things worked out. I think being her own creator is much better too.
OH! so many people here in Oz are Bake Show fans. I never watched it… yet.
Portia xx
Oh …. my. I have yet to meet a Nicolai that I love or loves me but this has definitely gone on the ‘to try’ list. Which yet again means the next time I’m in London due to the no buy expect charity shops. I have never had a St Honore cake, and I plan to try one, plus a Paris Brest, the next time I’m in, well, Paris. I get what you mean on the rice smell. I tend to mostly use Basmati which smells quite unique and astonishing. Ormonde Jayne released a Basmati based fragrance among its first perfumes. It didn’t work on me but smelled outstanding out of the bottle.
Hey Cinnamon,
That surprises me that no Nicolai has hit the spot. The range is so diverse.
Wonder if this could be the one?
Basmati rice is what my Mum always bought. Memories. Jin uses half white, half brown medium grain and the smell is so gorgeous.
Sushi Imperiale by Bois 1920 is a favourite rice note for me.
Portia xx
Sushi Imperiale was so gorgeous. It might be available still? I thunked a sizey decant back in the day.
Yes, Sushi Imperiale is still available. The discounters have it so maybe not for long.
Yes. Parfums de Nicholai Sacrebleu Intense was my recent love from her. Saint Honore is a definite try for me.
Hey there Maya,
I have and love the Sacrebleu original. Thanks for the reminder.
Portia xx
I got curious and checked the notes on Fragrantica for both the original and the Intense. They are both exactly the same. Having the original is great. I bought a 30ml bottle of the Intense and used it up in one summer. Next time I will buy the big bottle.
WOW! 30ml in a season means you REALLY loved it Maya.
Yes. And I am going to StC right now.
hahahaha me tooo!!!!!
and March!
HA! Hope you like it Tom.