Hippie Rose by Heeley, 2011

Now heres a surprise from Heeley, a rose with plenty of murky undergrowth, resolutely old-fashioned, turning its face against the soapy, clean or simply loud characteristics that tend to dominate recent rose fragrances. I wouldnt have expected it of him so many of his other perfumes place the emphasis so strongly on the clarity of notes, they sometimes skirt banality. This hippy is out in the garden: a mature rose among mossy, herbal aspects; theres a hint of licorice that bridges effortlessly with a dark, rooty patchouli. The patchouli is beautifully judged, its presence is central but well contained, its no yawling feral beast. This is the kind of fragrance that rises to the nostrils as a perfectly formed accord; there is a completeness to it that resists too much picking apart of notes, one grasps it immediately and is satisfied. Or at least I am! Pretty linear once the top settles.

Hippie Rose opens with a blast of bergamot, before moving quickly to the heart notes consisting of patchouli and rose with a green grass undertone. I actually get more patchouli than rose, but both certainly are co-stars. Base notes feature the remnants of the patchouli and rose combo, with moss and vetiver joining them. Projection is above average, with above average longevity. I went into trying Hippie Rose with high expectations. The scent has been compared to my favorite scent, Portrait of a Lady, and has many of the same notes... Alas, Hippie Rose is not like Portrait of a Lady to my nose at all, and I actually find it somewhat insulting to that great scent to even compare the two. This one is watery, with an almost Chap-stick like accord that features a lot of patchouli and rose. The rose does not smell real to me here at all. I just can't get into it, and I don't want to smell like a faux rose tinged Chap-stick balm all day; my guess is few would. What was Heeley smoking when they released this one? Definitely not recommended. 2 out of 5 stars.

Like most Heeley fragrances this is light and transparent and somewhat simple. Except for that it disappears after a while there isn't much of a development. The rose is kind of mild, not very sweet and for some reason I get a cherry-like note from it as well. Paired with patchouli and moss it makes a rather green and earthy yet transparent rose for women and men.