New Fragrance Review: Thorn & Bloom Limestone (Jennifer Botto)+Perfume Reflections on a Winter’s Day

jennifer-botto-thorn-and-bloom-perfumes

Jennifer Botto of Thorn & Bloom

Natural Perfumer Jennifer Botto of Thorn & Bloom, a 2016  Art and Olfaction Finalist for Bird of Paradise  has just released a new fragrance and a bit of a departure with Limestone. What could be mistaken for a cologne is a fossil fueled (mind the pun- choya nakh is the fossil here) citrus creation which brings me pause every time I inhale it.

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Church at Santorini Konstantinos Maleas

Limestone starts with lime, although subdued and somehow ensconced in the immediate presence of choya nakh. What results is the limestone walls of a cavern, or the forgotten walls of an abandoned homestead you keep secret. The lime is dried, not juicy and yet even the more uplifting by the addition of cilantro and green pepper. Gourmand it is not, despite its ingredients, it is an olfactory structure, a safe haven- a fortress of solitude.

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The Church of the Pantanassa-Naxos, Konstantinos Maleas

The heart of limestone is jasmine and champaca, both demure and refusing to take anything but the smoky, rough edges off of choya nakh and cilantro. Vines of jasmine climb the limestone exterior, a brief blooming- the skin is sweetened, although indolic or narcotic has been left for another time. There is a sense of serenity, albeit not aromatherapy. Limestone contains what some may call a masculine edge, although for myself, it is merely the scent of fortitude. All rests in frankincense and muhuhu (African sandalwood, providing the perfect bark on these plastered trees) as the stone wall imagery fades. Left behind, a mineralized, slightly citrus aroma on the skin which until Limestone, I never realized I coveted.

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Konstantine Maleas – Castle at Monemvasia

Although a wall kept coming to mind, as I am one to sniff walls, the association seemed pointless. Much later it came to my attention the Greeks used a mixture of seashells and limestone to 'white wash' the trunks of trees; providing both an antibacterial covering and in essence, a sunscreen for their citrus groves. I cannot imagine Limestone to smell anything short of exactly this. Given Jennifer's beautiful aesthetic and accord building genius,

 

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Landscape with Reflection Pool Konstantine Maleas

Limestone is a powerful perfume even in its cologne-esque style. Perhaps this is what caught me so off guard- I do not often choose scents which conveys a sense of strength (emotional, not sillage), yet it is one I will return to both on days when I need bolstering and in the winter days when sun cannot be found.

Notes: key lime eo (rind), kaffir lime leaf, bergamot, green pepper, coriander, jasmine, champaca flower, cilantro, choya nakh (roasted seashells), frankincense, sandalwood, muhuhu

Disclosure: I  received my sample from Thorn & Bloom, thank you

Einsof, Natural Perfume Editor

Art Direction MC: I used the paintings of Konstantine Maleas, perhaps the most important Greek Post Impressionist painter who was born in Istanbul and was influenced by Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gaugin. 1879-1928. 

 thorn and bloom 7.5 ml limestone

Thanks to Jennifer Botto we have a draw  for two US and Canadian registered reader as follows your choice of a deluxe atomizer of  7.5 ml  of Limestone

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or a deluxe sampler of our five Thorn & Bloom favorites including Limestone, Savage Garden, Bird of Paradise, Stranger in the Cherry Grove and Wild Rose (the best seller in the line)   

Our reviews: Stranger in A Cherry Grove here, Bird of Paradise here and Savage Garden here

To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Einsof’s review of Limestone, a quote or comment, and your choice should you win of  the sprayer of 7.5 ml of Limestone. Draw closes October 2, 2016

jessica Botto Thorn and Bloom

Best of Show Best Bottles and Natural Fragrance: Jennifer Botto at the Indie Beauty Expo in NYC photo Maggie

Editor’s Note: At the Indie Beauty Expo, Maggie Mahboubian and I fell in love with Limestone which was pre production. Currently Limestone is available in 7.5ml 4ml immediatelyon Thorn & Bloom, and will be available in 30ml (with wood cap) in November 2016.

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

 

 


 

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18 comments

  • This seems quite an interesting creation. First of all it has beautiful notes like lime, choya nakh, jasmine and it also has cologne vibe with impressive longevity. In addition, it has frankincense which helps give it a masculine edge. My choice will be Limestone sprayer. I am in the US.

  • A perfume that gives the image of a stone wall is, well – amusing. The way Einsof has written this makes me want to try it. I have tried Thorn and Bloom’s Bird of Paradise and would love to try the rest of the line. Though this post and review makes me really really want Limestone, I will be more practical and go for the sampler so that I could possibly experience them all. In the US.

  • Wow, seashells and limestone… great review! I love the art education I get when here, too. 🙂 Of all the reviews that Cafleurebon has done on Thorn & Bloom, this one speaks to me the most… so I’d choose the Limestone deluxe atomizer. Thanks for another lovely review and draw! I’m in the USA.

  • Fascinating! I like Einsof’s conception of this perfume as emotionally powerful, and of converting fortitude – I definitely have days where I could use a scent like that to help me out. I would choose the discovery set, since I’m eager to try her others as well. I’m in Canada, thank you!!!

  • I love that the heart of this fragrance is jasmine. Among one of my favorite notes. The depiction of seashells and limestone stuck with me. I would love to try the sampler. I’m in the U.S.

  • Hmmm…roasted sea shells…now that’s got to be good. The thematic description was very nice. If this new creation plays like a cologne all the better. I would choose the Limestone atomizer to win. US

  • The images of white stone walls gives me a feeling of what to expect with this perfume. It seems quite different from others you have described here from this brand. I would love the chanc to sample all these scents so would choose the sampler. Thanks for the introduction to Limestone. USA

  • A fortress of solitude is an interesting and appealing concept in a fragrance (I work in an elementary school – maybe why that sounds good to me). I cannot get past or imagine green peppers in a fragrance. I am not familiar with Thorn & Bloom, so I would choose the sampler should I win. Thanks! Rox

  • My mouth became dry and chalky reading this review. The mineral aspect of this sounds unique and inviting. I would welcome being chosen for this draw where I’d like the Limestone 7.5ml. 🙂 USA

  • I really loved the imagery of the stone walls. I would probably like to try the sample set or Bird of Paradise. Thanks for the opportunity. USA

  • Interesting mix of notes….minerals are always appealing to me and also work well on my skin. Would love to try the Limestone 7.5ml. Already a fan of the the Wild Rose (its gorgeous). Thank you for the generosity.

  • I like that it uses the uncommon ingredient of seashell. I need to try this. I would love the sampler. I’m in the US. Thank you so much.

  • This sounds lovely! I adore the smell of kaffir lime leaves and cook with them often. The limestone wall description sounds oddly appealing to me, in that I love the slightly mineralistic, earthy smell of caves and root cellars. The florals and frankincense make it sound much more complex and sensual, though. As curious as I am about this fragrance, I think I’d choose the sampler set. I’ve been wanting to try Thorn + Blood for quite a while, so would love the chance to sample a few. I live in Canada, thank you.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thorn & Bloom is a new perfume house for me & never tried any of Jennifer Botto creations yet. Just read the reviews for Stranger in A Cherry Grove, and Bird of Paradise. Both are right up my alley & now on my want list.
    This statement is the summary of the review on Limestone – “The lime is dried, not juicy and yet even the more uplifting by the addition of cilantro and green pepper. Gourmand it is not, despite its ingredients, it is an olfactory structure, a safe haven- a fortress of solitude.”
    Thanks to Jennifer Botto for gorgeous giveaway.
    Participating by giving my relative address residing in NY, US.

  • I enjoyed Einsof’s review of Limestone, and would love to wear a fragrance that I can return to both on days when I need bolstering and in the winter days when sun cannot be found.” I would choose the deluxe sampler.

  • Diana Devlin says:

    I would love to win the 7ml size of Limestone. The interesting combination of notes sound incredible. I love jasmine. And the addition of cilantro has me intrigued, as I’ve never owned a perfume that contained that note. I also really enjoy anything that has frankincense in it because it gives it an earthy, mysterious vibe to any fragrance.

    I live in the U.S.

  • I love the idea of a “scent of fortitude”. I don’t think I have anything in my collection that I would describe that way – sounds intriguing! There is an abundance of limestone where I live and I love the dusty salty smell of it on a warm day. I’d love to try the sampler!

  • This is a wonderful review, so evocative for me of my time fossil hunting in Solnhofen. I would love to try a sample set or just the Limestone, or better still find out any stores that I can try these scents…