Sweet Olive
Bourbon French Parfums

Bourbon French – Sweet Olive

Wikipedia tells us that the Sweet Olive is native to Asia, is the “city flower” of China, and is prevalent from the Himalayas to Taiwan, Japan, Cambodia and Thailand. It is known to the world of perfumery as “osmanthus.” It is used as a food and tea flavoring in the orient as well. The traditional take on its scent is that of peach and/or apricot.

Currently there are 29 scents listed in Basenotes bearing the name “osmanthus,” and 4 bearing the name of “sweet olive” or “tea olive,” its other moniker. The earliest of the “osmanthus” scents bears a date of only 2003, while the “sweet olive” and “tea olive” have been part of the scent line-up of Hove and Bourbon French Parfums, both located in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, for respectively 90 and 120 years, or thereabouts. It has been a staple in gardens of the American South for two centuries.

Osmanthus has been part of the note trees of dozens of the scents I have reviewed on Basenotes, but I have never encountered it on its own. The Bourbon French presentation of their Sweet Olive is captivating to say the least. It is quite strong, both sweet and bitter at the same time, with (to my nose) hints of vanilla, coconut, and leather, as well as the buttery peach/apricot vibe. It is exciting for this jaded nose to experience a soliflore for the first time, and to find it to be a unique and positive experience.

It is a scent that can be quite unisex. Best for day wear under any circumstance and fine for the work place. A truly delightful find. Bravo Bourbon French Parfums.