WHAT I SMELL:  Narcisse Blanc opens with a peppery warm and indolic orange blossom and neroli.  It’s thick, waxy and completely intoxicating.  Quickly, a petitgrain note emerges to bring the floating blossoms towards the earth with a greenish touch of grass.  There’s nothing easy or breezy about this perfume.  Instead, it’s beauty is in the realm of the mature.  Big and round as more florals come in punctuated with the rose, Narcisse Blanc is less mysterious than it’s counterpart, Narcisse Noir, but to me, much more accessible.  However, that’s not to say that it doesn’t hold it’s wearer in some contempt, as there is a bit of haughtiness and aloofness about it without it being cold in nature.  As the perfume continues to expand and radiate, the warmth of the base begins to move towards the still waxy blossoms.  Vetiver adds just a bit of a brownish grass and a sandalwood brings a little bit of sour.  Narcisse Blanc never got the love that Narcisse Noir did.  Too bad, because it’s every bit as beautiful.

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Neroli, Orange and Petitgrain; middle notes are Jasmine, tincture of rose and Lime; base notes are iris, Musk, Sandalwood, vetyver and Amber.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A dowager.  A lady of means who is completely in charge.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE NARCISSE BLANC: bold, in-control, substantial

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NARCISSE BLANC:  Now Smell This, EauMG

BOTTOM LINE:  Narcisse Blanc is beautiful, no question about it.  But it’s not young, nor carefree, but instead is grand floral that means serious business.  Caron, which for some reason seems to be largely hidden (at least in the US), has a new reissue of Narcisse Blanc, but I have no idea how it compares to this vintage beauty.  I do have the feeling however that it has been reformulated to be a bit lighter and brighter.  But as for this vintage version that came from those long gone fabulous urns in the now closed NYC boutique; it’s a grand old perfume that isn’t meant for every day wear, but seems to be made for those special occasions when you want to feel rather royal.

• Bone Rating:  4 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent:  Floral
• Nose:   Ernest Daltroff
• Classification: Leans feminine
• Expense: Review based on the vintage parfum extrait version.  You can find the latest version of Narcisse Blanc at the Caron website.