New Niche Perfume Review: Neil Morris Fragrances Vision in Black, Seaflower, and Me + The Vault within the Vault Draw

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"For me, fragrances are like dreams. I look for an emotional response, a connection. Fragrances are a reflection of life and should be filled with zest, so I work to compose unusual, exotic, and memorable aromas to help inspire dreams." — Neil Morris 

Life is made up of moments. Moreover, there is only ever this moment. What does this moment bring you? Perhaps the sun on your face, a gentle breeze tickling your neck, soft dewy grass beneath your bare feet, the sound of an Eastern bluebird welcoming spring, or sweet air filling your lungs. Neil Morris, the popular Boston-based perfumer, uses fragrance to create moments. Moments lived or moments imagined in an illusory dreamscape. No matter the style in which Neil is composing, there is always a calming, palliative center; a glimpse into the gentle heart of someone who understands what it’s like to be fully present in a moment. 

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Those familiar with Neil's work will know that he has a signature line of eight fragrances, readily available on his website and in very select stores such as Henri Bendel. According to Neil, "Each scent tells a story based on memories of joyful events in my life." To gain a deeper insight into Neil's creations, one can visit "The Vault," an exclusive sub-collection of over fifty fragrances created over the course of a lifetime, available only on the website. But here's a little secret: some of Neil's most exclusive fragrances aren't even in The Vault. There is a vault-within-a-vault that can only be unlocked by a select few, those, like our Cafleurebon readers, who are "in the know." Just as there are restaurants that have some of their best dishes off the menu, Neil Morris has a select set of fragrances which must be asked for by name. Before I tell you the secret knock, I'll give you my impressions of some of these ultra-exclusive gems. Normally, I might save the best for last, but I am way too excited about Neil's newest underground composition: an illuminated, spectral floral — Vision in Black.

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Woman in Black by Jeff Schaller

Haunting, yet benevolent. Time-honored, yet timeless. Vision in Black smells like something found among the vintage Guerlains or Chanels; treasures from a by-gone era that are entirely relevant today. Delicate linden blossom and honeysuckle are offset against black pepper and amber; unabashed femininity over golden luminosity. Neil further blended two types of proprietary musks into the composition, adding a soft, smoky sensuality. After I experienced Vision in Black, I reached out to Neil, determined to learn what inspired this achingly beautiful scent. Neil excitedly replied, "I wanted to create a perfume that was elegant, bright and mysterious. I wanted to take a minimalistic approach, using limited ingredients but 'adjusting the volume' on each one until it was just what I wanted. I imagined a lovely, dark haired woman arriving late and alone to a swanky party wearing a simple but perfectly fitting black gown. Seems all eyes are upon her and no one is sure who she is. She's wearing her hair up with a simple but gorgeous pearl necklace. She enters the room as if she owns it … which she does. Her scent trail intoxicates everyone." Intoxicating is an understatement. To me, the mysteriousness adds a ghostly essence, as if this vision may, or may not, be real. She's warm and inviting, yet there is a melancholy here, a sadness that betrays the beauty. The vision is gone as quickly as it appeared and only her scent remains. Vision in Black is an emotional perfume, charged with desire, seduction and heartbreak. Stunning.  

Seaflower

Seaflower is an uplifting oceanic floral, a serene moment in the Cape Cod sun captured in a perfume bottle. According to Neil, Seaflower is based on "a memory of a lovely, fragrant garden by the sea on Cape Cod. It was a warm, sunny day and we all sat in the garden having drinks. I could barely pay attention to the conversation because of the profusion of floral and sea air notes that were surrounding me!" Opening with a mellow Anjou Pear accord and tangy green leaves, the scent blossoms into a garden of red tulip, lily of the valley and phlox; all while the scent and sensation of the Atlantic ebbs and flows in the background. There is a playful hint of suntan lotion in the air, yet the integrity of the structure ensures that it remains a perfume, rather than another suntan lotion inspired fragrance. Despite its palette of ultra-realistic marine and floral (and even sand!) accords, the fragrance is painted in evocative, impressionistic strokes. An artist's rendering of one perfect moment. 

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The Inspiration for Me

For years, Neil Morris has provided a bespoke fragrance service, creating one-of-a-kind fragrances for a lucky few. Did you ever wonder if he's ever created something exclusively for himself? According to Neil, "The answer is YES!" Every time I wear it I receive compliments and they want to know if it's available and what the name of it is. I would just say it's called Me since that's who I originally created it for. But now I'm going to share it!" Like the man himself, Me is a multi-faceted fragrance which defies categorization. It's warm and spicy, bright and bold. Opening with a sweet blast of blackcurrant and mandarin orange, Me segues into a spicy geranium heart and a cozy base of palisander rosewood, fig, musk, oak, benzoin, vanilla and patchouli. The scent is warm and comforting, like a hug from the big guy himself.  

What else is hidden in Neil's vault-within-a-vault?

Ambra Obscura is a shrouded, dark-as-night brew of benzoin, labdanum, cade, dark vanilla, dark musk, tonka, patchouli, and wood notes. No room for citrus or flowers, this is a no-holds-barred homage to shadows and secrets. Ambra Obscura is meditative and mysterious, but never surrenders to despair. 

A Rose is a Rose has been a word-of-mouth sensation for a couple of years. It was reviewed on Cafleurebon in spring of 2011. This smoky, flirtatious balance of rose, peony, myrhh, aldehydes, amber and musk is waiting to be devoured. 

Samples and full bottles of Vision in BlackSeaflowerMeAmbra Obscura and A Rose is a Rose are available now, though as mentioned, are not yet listed on the Neil Morris Fragrances website. Simply go to the site and order any VAULT sample/ full bottle and in the comments section at checkout, enter the name of the fragrance you'd like instead.

Disclosure: Reviews based on samples generously provided by Neil Morris Fragrances.  

UPDATED: Thanks to Neil Morris Fragrances, we have a draw for a 2ml sample of  ALL of the above-mentioned fragrances. To be eligible, leave a comment naming the Neil Morris fragrance described here that most intrigues you and why. The winner will receive all five  2ml sample of their chosen fragrance. This is a US-only draw and the draw will end on April 29, 2013.

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

Michael Devine, Senior Contributor

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46 comments

  • Michael this is exciting! I am from the Boston area, and
    am familiar with Neil and his work.
    Vision in Black sounds amazing to me. The reference
    to Guerlain caught my attention because they are the
    largest part of my perfume collection.
    I live in the US- thanks for the draw!

    I want to be the dark haired woman at the party…

  • You hooked me at “vintage Guerlains or Chanels.” (I have several of both.) You had me at “charged with desire, seduction and heartbreak.” I would LOVE to smell Vision in Black. I live in the U.S. and thank you so much!

  • I live in the US. I have never experienced any of this lines fragrances, but of the one listed in the article, I’d like to try Seaflower, as I am looking for a new summer fragrance, and it’s description sounds perfect for summer.

  • wefadetogray says:

    I live in the US.
    I am not sure if I can decide between Vision in black and its ghostly essence and Ambra Oscura with its meditative qualities. I guess that it intrigues me the fact that both are defined as mysterious scents yet they point to different kind of mysterious experiences.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Oh my goodness, they ALL intrigue me. Those reviews are mouth watering. Vision in Black captures my heart; maybe if I wear it I can become that sexy brunette? Miracle in a bottle!

  • I have always wanted a summer beachy scent but they are all either too linear and marine or too piña colada. I think summer scents must be the hardest to interpret as a perfume and I would love to try Seaflower which sounds like it might be just right and actually have some personality. Thank you and I live in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    a rose is a rose intrigues me and your explanation that it has become famous through word-of-mouth marketing is enough..i trust crowd opinions more than any other marketing strategy.i am in the U.S

  • Torn between Vision in Black and Ambra Obscura. Have to go with Ambra Obscura because of the lack of citrus and florals .

  • Who wouldn’t want to be the Vision in Black? Intoxicating, mysterious, melancholy… I’ll go with it!

  • Hi Mike! Thank you, thank you so much for your kind words about my new perfumes! I loved reading not only what you wrote, but how you expressed it! And thank you all for your comments. I’m so impressed with the article AND the comments that I’m going to offer the winner FIVE samples instead of one! Wishing you the best always and a fragrant hug to all! My love to Michelyn!!

  • OOh….I love Neil’s work. I am very intrigued about Ambra Obscura. The notes sound great for me. Thanks for the draw.

  • Vision in Black… Got my attention right away. I have several of Neil’s fragrances from the vault… Love.

  • Great review Mike!!! The pear and sand notes in Seaflower sound amazing!!
    Thanks for the draw! I live in the U.S.

  • Excellent review Mike! I’m a Guerlain girl and Vision in Black caught my attention. Thanks for the draw and I live in the US! 🙂

  • just breathe says:

    I would love to try the fragrance that Neil made for himself…ME! Balckcurrant, fig and mandarin sound yummy!
    I live in the USA.
    thanks for the draw!

  • I’m intrigued by Me.
    How can you not not to smell a fragrance he created for himself?
    U.S.

  • The notes in ‘Me’ are calling to me: especially the fig plus the sweet geranium heart sounds like something I’d want to try. I think men’s perfumes on women and vice versa are all about expanding possibilities.

  • Janet in California says:

    They all sound wonderful. Seaflower would be my choice. I live near the Pacific Ocean and love the way the scent of the sea changes so often. I would like to smell the Atlantic version!

  • helical gnome says:

    I think I’d like to try Ambra Oscura because I like the idea of a dark scent where there is no room for anything but shadows.
    I am in the US.

  • sillage4ever says:

    Can’t see how I could possibly go wrong with something Neil made for himself! And the cheeky fun of the name “Me” tickles me, too.

  • SisterSpecies says:

    The description notes for Ambra Obscura sound most tantalizing to me. I am unabashedly in love with many an amber, and all things dark. It’s a hard time of year for me when so many releases and reviews tend to the bright. I generally wear those scents that folks say you should only wear in the dead of winter- all year long. Ambra Obscura may well be the antidote I seek from all the intoxications of citrus and flowers. Many thanks!

  • Oh what a great read! Vision in Black is one of my favorite ever fragrances – absolutely glorious!

    Please do not include me in a draw as I already have almost all perfumes created by Neil. Good luck everyone!

  • Amber Obscura and A Rose is a Rose both sound fantastic ^^ I would love to try his fragrances!

  • I am similar to sisterspecies in that I too love typically “winter” fragrances (big, bold, spicy) and have a hard time finding what to wear in summer. Maybe Ambra Obscura would work although Vision in Black sounds so fabulous!
    I met Neil at Sniffapalloozza in NY a few years ago and he is as lovely as he is talented! I’m so happy Bendel’s is stocking him now. It’s very kind of him to let us into the inner vault.

  • Ah, Seaflower…I am still in search of a scent to meld the Atlantic ocean and seaside plants, so I’d love to try this one.

  • while ambra obscura sounds the most enticing to me according to it’s notes (i’m a sucker for basenotes 🙂 i would have to say it is ME i want to try — just because it is neil’s personal brew.

  • Vision in black! I love vintage Guerlain fragrances. The reference to vintage in the post intrigues me.

  • Ambra Obscura gets my vote for most intriguing, being a dark sweet blend of many of my favorite scents.

    Me is a close second, as Neil is an intriguing guy and something that he would make for himself has to be brilliant!

  • The description of Vision in Black is so evocative! That sounds like I MUST have it.

  • Vision in Black definitely has me salivating… the juxtaposition of linden, honeysuckle, and black pepper is intriguing.

    I’m in the US, and thank you for the draw!

  • Very difficult to choose! A Vision in Black for its Guerlain-ness? But I would love to smell his interpretation of a rose, so I’ll go with A Rose is a Rose. Thank for the beautiful draw; I’m in the US.

  • I love Neil’s description of Vision in Black. He does make it sound ‘achingly beautiful’.

  • Sarah Lathrop says:

    I live in the US and would like to smell Ambra Obscura. I love dark rich scents and am curious about one that omits the contrast of flowers, citrus, aldehydes and that sort of thing in favor of a concentrated depth.
    This vault within “the vault” concept sounds like a clever trick! I appreciate the sense of humor in that.
    Thank you for the draw.

  • Well, I’d have to say I’m most intrigued by Vision In Black, but they all sound delicious. I like the idea of clean, fresh notes like linden blossom and honeysuckle, paired with black pepper and amber. I’d really like a chance to experience the timing of the fragrance too; when and how the notes unfold in relation to one another. I’d appreciate a chance to sample the others as well. Thank you for the article. I wasn’t aware of The Vault, or Mr. Morris’s secret “off menu” fragrances. 🙂

  • I would love to try Seaflower. The intermingled scents of garden and sea sound very uplifting.

  • I would love to try Vision in Black. The reference to vintage Guerlain and Chanel convinced me. Although they all sound great and I enjoy a number of Neil’s fragrances.

  • seaflower spoke to me as i often find myself preoccupied with the smell of a place. pointing out the rain, the flowers, the bonfire.

    thanks for the article.

  • I am intrigued by his reference to dreams and illusions. I like the idea of a scent that reminds one of something caught at the edge of consciousness. Thanks for the draw. I live in the U.S.

  • US reader
    Loved reading about the vault within the Vault! Neil Morris emanates good vibes in all the pics I have seen (never met in person); ‘Me’ sounds awesome– like getting a hug from a great-smelling guy. And it has spice and geranium plus vanilla/benzoin/patchouli/wood which all work great on me and give me good energy. Probably most curious about this one.

    Ambra Obscura sounds like the kind of thing that draws me in, all shadows and depth and base. I like the deep, serious, darker scents. But I like the idea of delicate luminosity and elegance in A Vision in Black also…
    Very curious!