Narcissus Poeticus

What makes this structure unusual is the galbanum. In most white floral compositions, green notes appear briefly at the opening and vanish. Here, they persist, threading through the heart, connecting the initial brightness to the honeyed warmth below. That continuity is what gives Narcissus Poeticus its sense of narrative. You're not smelling separate phases. You're watching one idea develop. The base amplifies this: cacao and tonka bean don't compete with the florals, they complete them, adding a warmth that feels earned rather than tacked on.

The evolution

Tunisian neroli and bergamot arrive first, citrus-bright and immediately green, the galbanum lending a cut-vegetable sharpness that feels intentional rather than accidental. This is the fragrance announcing itself. For the first thirty minutes, you're in spring. Clean, green, certain. Then the white florals take over. Jasmine and tuberose arrive together, dense and almost overwhelming, the orange blossom adding a bitter edge that keeps the heart from becoming saccharine. This is where Narcissus Poeticus becomes demanding, the intensity isn't subtle. The drydown begins around the second hour, when the florals finally yield to the base. Cacao pod and tonka bean emerge first, dark and warm, before honey absolute and bourbon vanilla sweep in to soften everything. Hawaiian sandalwood keeps the finish grounded. By the fourth hour, you're left with a warm, honeyed quiet that stays close and intimate for another two to four hours. On fabric, it lingers until the next morning.