New! Narcissus Poeticus Natural Perfume, Vintage 2

 2nd Vintage of Limited Edition Narcissus Poeticus!

Narcissus Poeticus takes its name from rare, spring-blooming jonquil flowers. A romantic blend of French violets, kumquat, mandarin, osmanthus flower, boronia, and iris bulb, Narcissus Poeticus was one of my most popular limited editions. It was so popular that I sold out years ago. One of my longtime customers has been begging me to create  another batch, and this spring I obliged. It’s been aging for months now.

This blend captures the romance of the first blooms of spring, weaving rare spring-blooming jonquille (Narcissus poeticus) and French violets with a new addition of Portuguese kumquats! Osmanthus from the valley of osmanthus in China and orris imbue this perfume with spring’s promise of the future as the earth comes to life once more.

Oh, how I adore the quiet time I spend in the Purrfumery, mixing and testing, inhaling deeply! I’m delighted to share the second limited edition of Narcissus Poeticus, available as a parfum only in exquisite crystal Verreries Brosse French flacons and tucked into a dupioni silk pouch with vintage velvet flowers. The finishing touch is a Victorian scent card that captures the spirit of a time when even the advertisements were little works of art.

Narcissus Poeticus is set in a rich base of rare sandalwoods, including Tamil Nadu from India. Purchased by the perfumer nearly 25 years ago, Tamil Nadu is known for its exquisite warmth and a terroir that will never be available again. 

This is a true scent of spring and rejuvenation. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Available in 8 and 15 ml bottles. 

Notes: Jonquille, French violets, black currant bud, Portugese kumquat, mandarin, osmanthus, orris butter, Tamil Nadu sandalwood.

Laurie's feeling notes: This is a verdant green scent and makes me feel hopeful, calm, and serene.

Reviews~

I am an avowed fan of narcissus to begin with, and the perfumer is nothing if not passionate about her work. Suffice it to say that my expectations were exceeded: what Laurie has composed is masterly and utterly original; more importantly, it is beautiful.

Narcissus Poeticus 2 commences with the sparkle of sweet mandarin and tangy sweet-tart kumquat; you don’t expect them, and therein lies the delight. What follows is highly sophisticated, as Chinese osmanthus imparts its characteristic apricot-y leatheriness: it’s companionable in concert with jonquil, which is a highly fragrant species of the narcissus family. When these two elements wed, the pleasurable barnyard and somewhat horsey animalic floral face of narcissus poeticus is conjured. The additional fruity astringency of black currant imparts its own tangy floralcy tinged with sulfur and a thiol compound (which in higher concentrations mimics cat urine) – one more example of fruit waxing animalic. Often, evoking a memorable soliflore may be more complex than one might intuit. Violet tones contribute their verdant bloom, and orris butter and Laurie’s rare sandalwood complete the portrait of this intriguing, multi-faceted floral. The end result is a seamless olfactory image quite unlike many narcissus-based perfumes to which we have become accustomed.

One of the singular facets of Laurie Stern’s work is that she composes from her own concepts – not a given brief. This allows her total freedom to follow her muse; she needn’t bend it to another’s shape or will. I firmly believe that when an artist is able to achieve this, the outcome is soul-filled and meaningful. Narcissus Poeticus 2 is proof positive, a discrete realm of calm in the maelstrom of today’s world.

Ida Meister, CaFleureBon

I just tried the new Narcissus Poeticus 2.0, and it’s every bit as breathtaking as the original. It captures the essence of the flower perfectly—lush, floral, and reminiscent of spring in full bloom. What amazes me most is Laurie Stern’s ability to create a blend that feels like a single, radiant note. This perfume is pure bliss in a bottle and remains my all-time favorite.

Jessica, Oakland, Ca.