WHAT I SMELL: Bohea Bohème initially sings with a beautiful leathered bergamot covered in a swath of cardamom, with hints of sweetness and brown sugared florals. Incredibly exotic and lightly warmed, the perfume pulls you in and holds you captive as soon as it touches your skin. After a few minutes, the perfume adopts of light creaminess and the sugared flakes turn more to a muted lotion. There’s a haze that emanates from the cream, like smoked incense. There’s also a tea note that emerges, but instead of dominating the perfume with a watery thin high pitch, the tea is rooted and thickened as if it’s made up of a reduction of warmed tea leaves in a bottom of a cup. As the perfume continues to deepen, it seems to develop as if its a sheet that is unfurled and a dreamy sandalwood takes hold as the perfume seems to darken in color and depth. Bohea Bohème ends its journey quietly with a radiant breath that’s softly spiced and completely exotic.
From the Mona di Orio website:
Bohea Bohème captures the smoldering delicacy of the distinctive tea cultivated in the Wuyi Mountains of China. The precious Bohea Tea, fumed with pinewood, is prized for its complex aroma and rich character.
Notes: Italian Bergamot, Cardamom Absolute, Florentine Iris, Blue Chamomile, Poplar Bud Absolute, Fir Balsam Fraction, Boxtree absolute, Geranium Absolute, Black tea oil, Smoked Juniper, Oakwood absolute, Sandalwood India, Beeswax Absolute, Bay leaf Absolute.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A snake in the most beautiful sense of being…the perfume doesn’t develop as much as it slowly glides through the most subtle of movements revealing small nuances as it wraps itself around the wood and green.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE BOHEA BOHÈME: gorgeous, mysterious, exotic
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOHEA BOHÈME: CaFleureBon, Colognoisseur
BOTTOM LINE: When I found out that the new Mona di Orio perfume was tea based I have to say that I was not excited as tea based perfumes are one of my least favorite genres. However, Bohea Bohème broke the mold for me…it’s absolutely breathtaking in its originality and the tea note is just one amongst all the notes that blends seamlessly to create this skin hugging mystery. Perfumer Fredrik Dalman has created something very special here.
- Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Woody Spicy
- Nose: Fredrik Dalman
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $245 for 75 ml eau de parfum
June 27, 2016 at 9:55 am
Wow, 4.5 bones! I probably wouldn’t have sought this out without your review as I am also decidedly not a fan of tea notes. Thanks for the review – this one sounds intriguing.
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June 28, 2016 at 5:41 am
Holly, we are scent twins aren’t we!!! This may not be our favorite big floral, but it’s just the right combination of subtle florals, incense and tea that makes it just perfect 🙂
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June 27, 2016 at 3:22 pm
OK, having been on the best of good behavior, I am near breaking point and want this! A sample is called for at the very least! Thank you. I am a very, very long time reader/lurker!
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June 28, 2016 at 5:42 am
Judith, I’m so glad that you came out from the shadows…welcome. I hate being an enabler, but when the perfume is right, I say go for it. Let me know if you get a chance to try it. I would love to hear your impressions!
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June 28, 2016 at 11:49 am
I ordered 10 mls yesterday! Hit while the iron is hot! Monica on Facebook posted a split almost immediately after I read your review. Just had to be! I am an old dog who sticks to my tricks of scents that have vanilla/leather/smoke/gourmand/sweetish/femme/etc. I always try to order 10 mls because if I like it I will have it around a bit and see if worth a full bottle. If not, I pass it along! Let’s just say your post hit at the exact right time for me, and I do like Mona.
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June 28, 2016 at 7:13 am
I also would not have thought about this because of the tea notes, except for your review. I do, however, like many Mona di Orio fragrances, so I will try it now that you are so smitten. Thanks for your creative approach to perfume reviewing.
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June 28, 2016 at 6:45 pm
WendySue…I can’t wait to hear what you think about this and if you agree that it’s a tea perfume for those who typically don’t care for them!
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July 3, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Am very intrigued by this now, and I am yet another non-tea note aficionado. Am always open to beguiling scents!
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July 4, 2016 at 2:13 pm
I hope you get a chance to check it out Vanessa.
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July 13, 2016 at 6:59 am
You nailed this. I just received my sample and read a number of reviews but yours is exactly what I experience. It is gorgeous and not at all a tea-focused scent (which I’m grateful for as well). Lovely review!
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July 13, 2016 at 8:01 am
Floragal (I love that name btw)…thanks for your thoughts. For those of us who aren’t into tea based perfumes this really does work. Now that you have your sample…are you leaning towards a full bottle??!
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