Pear + Olive by Slumberhouse

*****
Year: 2012

Notes: white cognac, grape, pear, calamus, Bulgarian geranium, Roman chamomile, olive, massoia, mahogany

Comment: Eau de Parfum review
One has to admit that the concept of pear saddled with olive is an interesting concept. However, the end result isn't what one was expecting.

Pear + Olive is more akin to a sweet pear and fig concoction, with a wine nuance at the beginning. The pear is dominant, syrupy and reminiscent of the tinned variety but, in its favour, smells extremely natural. And although there's supposedly no fig in the composition, one would attribute the creamy and almost coconut aroma to the presence of the massoia.

With tender green and hay-like tones from the calamus, chamomile and geranium, it soon mellows out to allow more attention to the olive accord, which reveals a somewhat sebaceous and aromatic flair. There's also a very soft ambery-vanilla aspect to the translucent woody base, which never comes to the fore.

Compared to other creations from this house, it's not as commanding on the skin but, at the same time, could be considered more suitable for spring or summer. Alas, one still associates its general aroma with shampoos, liquid hand soaps and body creams, especially as the soapiness of the drydown increases with vigour.

With longevity of approximately six hours, its transition is seamless but it's still lacking something – possibly a stronger base of some sort. But, despite its flaws, it's still a so-so offering that fails to juxtapose the sweet and savoury aspects of the star notes convincingly.


*****
Year: 2013

Notes: cognac, pear, calamus, Bulgarian geranium, Roman chamomile, olive, massoia, mahogany

Comment: Parfum extrait review
While certain improvements have been made, the extrait version of Pear + Olive still isn't quite there.

It's certainly less boozy than before, and the pear is less prominent and sweet. Furthermore, the olive still feels like an accord that Josh has been unable to fully utilise, without it coming across as greasy. While the creamy fig aspect continues to hold true, one can sense a slightly stronger green aromatic presence throughout, which is a good thing initially.

However, for a parfum extrait, one finds it lethargic on the skin – so much that it begins to smell both linear and banal by the midway mark. Also, its longevity isn't that much better, which comes as a great surprise.

A wasted opportunity.


Disclaimer: Since some Slumberhouse releases are always being 'improved', and with various formulations of the same fragrance in existence, this review is based on the sample(s) received. Due to the lack of information about these reformulations, one is unable to confirm the actual formulation(s) that has/have been reviewed. As a result, your experience of this fragrance may greatly differ. Understandably, it's all very confusing.


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