WHAT I SMELL: At first spritz, Slowdive is a combination of sweet and sour amid a buzzing hay like tobacco. There’s a honeyed orange flower that feels earthy and tempered with a layer of soil. It’s not overtly sweet, but rather slightly flat and slightly urinous. To me, it’s a strange and curious opening, but it’s one that immediately draws you in. After a few minutes the tobacco begins to come to the forefront. It’s slightly sweet and it’s like the tobacco of a well-worn pipe. Here the perfume begins to move to the intoxicating and I find that the lightly fruited tobacco is a “warm fuzzy.” Additionally, there’s a wonderful sensation of masculine security at this point. As the perfume continues to develop, a light tuberose is washed over the tobacco…moving the perfume from the more masculine to the more unisex. As it continues to develop, Slowdive ramps up the spice. Here the perfume buzzes with life and this is where it finally settles into a warm and slightly thickened honey and tuberose tobacco.
From the Hiram Green website:
Slowdive is a warm tobacco-themed fragrance that captures the mood of those languid afternoons when the sweetness of the Indian summer air is almost palpable.
The fragrance opens with fresh and flowery top notes of neroli and orange flower before tobacco blossom and beeswax take over. This heart – rich and deep, with hints of dried fruit and creamy tuberose – is delicately anchored by a base of honeyed resins that give Slowdive its soft and exotic touch.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The beauty of the bee.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SLOWDIVE: warm, semi-thickened, buzzing
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SLOWDIVE: Megan in Sainte Maxime, Kafkaesque, CaFleureBon
BOTTOM LINE: Slowdive is a perfume that personifies the best in tobacco and honey. The honey is so superbly restrained as if it’s just an earthy glaze rather than a jar full of the sweet and sticky. Pardon my pun, but Slowdive deserves some good “buzz!”
- Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Fruity Floral
- Nose: Hiram Green
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $165 for 50 ml eau de parfum
March 28, 2018 at 8:23 am
Great to see your take on Slowdive.
Hope you’re doing well by the way.
My favorite from Hiram Green is still Arbole Arbole. I thought Slowdive was great but I didn’t feel the craving for more of it 😉
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March 29, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Hi Lucas – I think I’m with you with your love for Arbole Arbole. This is good, but maybe it’s the hot Mexican weather that it would not make it for a regular wear here. All is well here…I’m sure you’re excited for your next perfume trip this coming week! Have a great time. I can’t wait to hear about what you experience.
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March 29, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Urinous? I’m out. The power of one word is quite astonishing.
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March 29, 2018 at 6:29 pm
A urinous element isn’t that uncommon in perfume. Actually it gives it a interesting dimension 🙂
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March 29, 2018 at 7:07 pm
I haven’t felt compelled to try this one yet, as I have recently come to learn that I am exceedingly cranky when it comes to orange blossom. If pressed, I might admit to crankiness in other regards. However, it’s you, so I’ll take note. xo
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March 31, 2018 at 6:53 am
My dearest Holly. Orange blossom is supposed to be a delightful way to start the Spring. However, like you it can go bad on me sometimes…to be honest, I don’t see this as a “Holly” kind of perfume. I hope all is well my dear! xoxoxo
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March 31, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Orange blossom is my favorite note, but I prefer it when it’s radiant and bright and the main attraction. Otherwise it can feel murky to me. It’s lovely to know someone who can assess what is “me.” We miss you here! xoxoxo
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March 31, 2018 at 12:45 pm
It’s great to see you, Steve. I hope your half-presence in the blogosphere means that you’re happy and relaxed and not a sign of something not going well.
I want to try Slowdive because I feel positive towards the brand, and because I liked Arbolé Arbolé enough to buy a bottle (though, a small one). But from the description and especially list of notes I have doubts this one will be for me – so I’m not in a hurry to spend money on a sample. So for now I’ll settle for your review :).
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April 2, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Hi dear – thanks, I’m doing great. Lots going on that keeps me away from perfume. I do have too admit that without having a work schedule, my time management skills are severely challenged however. Funny how I managed to get a lot done when I had so many deadlines. Now, it’s easy to just say “manana!” Hope you had a great Easter! xoxoxox
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April 3, 2018 at 4:30 am
Hi Steve, Hope all is well in Mexico. I liked this one but it is a rather strong perfume with what will be ‘challenging’ notes for some. I’m interested to see what it smells like in summer too. xx Megan
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