Ophelia by Heeley, 2009

The topnotes of Ophelia give that fullness of spring that makes you crave summer. Then it gives you that, too! The initial notes of muguet and jasmine and their bursting-at-the-seems fresh spring sweetness are underlined by the watery crispness these early flowers of the season have. Moving into its heart, Ophelia sheds a bit of green and takes on early summer in all its white floral beauty. Tuberose and ylang ylang are a leisurely indulgence compared to springs exuberance and take Ophelia into the sultry, dreamy phase with a bit of underbelly showing thanks to the indoles. Fortunately, spring to early summer is the timeframe. None of the prelude to nostalgia that late summer implies. Ophelias heart and base give that heightened feel of the endless potential of summer. The wonderful trick here is that Ophelia remains the white/green bouquet composed of all its elements. Even in summer mode, the spring flowers remain, if in the background. And then we have the lily. I havent seen anyone else note this, but a watery-ambery, raspy lily not unlike the one in DK Gold comes along in the basenotes to take a soft-handed lead. Its watery note suddenly seems like the logical outcome of all the flowers that have preceded it. Here, I assume, is the full Ophelia of Hamlet reference: handing out flowers, then winding up in the water. I can find what I like in most perfume genres fairly easily. Chypres, orientals, leathers. But sometimes a boy just cant find a satisfying, gorgeous, huge, white floral. Problem solved.