Camille Henfling Jr. Founder of Von Eusersdorff New York

Von Eusersdorff New York founder Camille Henfling Jr. has spent the past decade unearthing his family heritage and bringing new life to his ancestors' prestigious name. The Von Eusersdorff lineage is one steeped in fragrant oils and spices; Meneer Henfling remembers vividly spending time as a child in his grandfather's apothecary and also on the family plantations in Costa Rica. He made a late career change from businessman to fragrance director, moving to Grasse and studying with a dedicated team of people that he still collaborates with today. He took with him some of the formulas that were discovered in the archives and from there the reincarnation began. The company is based in the Netherlands but Camille now resides in New York, which is very much reflected in the elegant branding and contemporary feel that the perfumes convey.

Von Eusersdorff perfumes 2010-2013

Launching with Classic Patchouli in 2010, followed by Classic Mimosa, Classic Myrrh and Classic Vetiver in 2011, Classic Orange joined the collection in 2013. The fragrances are all centered around a particular note, yet are united in an effortlessly chic and well blended character that makes them extremely wearable. I have been a fan of Von Eusersdorff since I first discovered them (Classic Patchouli and Classic Orange being my two favourites).

Princess Scheherazade  (Edmund Dulac Illustration Tales from The Arabian Nights)

I've been greatly looking forward to the newest release, Classic Opoponax. With top notes of Rose and Jasmine, a heart of Benzoin and Opoponax or Sweet Myrrh as it's also known, and a base of Black Patchouli, Castoreum, Amber and Vanilla, this perfume promised to pique my newly awakened love of the oriental genre. I wasn't disappointed…

The scent opens like a desert wind sweeping aside the many veils of an Eastern palace. Warm resins and amber create a vibrant orange corona around the body, a rich and lustrous beginning without a single hint of acrid charcoal that can sometimes accompany incense-heavy fragrances. It is sweet from the offset; Opoponax having a balsamic, honeyed quality that sings beautifully alongside a subtle but perfectly blooming rose note. The jasmine here is fleshy and indolic, as she should be, but the floral bouquet doesn't take centre stage. It drifts in from the gardens of the palace and mingles with the fumes from a thousand golden censers.

Once Classic Opoponax has fully warmed it emits a steady, smooth glow of scent with impressive sillage. Castoreum deepens and gives an animalic nuance to the resins and petals, whilst vanilla adds a creamy facet. As with Classic Patchouli, this fragrance has a gorgeous, unctuous darkness amid the sweetness that tethers the scent to skin and feels like expensive leather gloves. It's all so smooth, without any strange little moments to interrupt the flow. Warmth, sweetness, perfectly balanced florals and a kinky little growl from the castoreum make for a scent that ticks all my boxes.

As with all the Von Eusersdorff scents, it's rather hard to find a flaw. What makes them all so wearable is their uncomplicated yet highly crafted composition, coupled with great longevity. If you enjoy warm, incense-laced orientals that are sweet rather than spicy, then Classic Opoponax might be the one for you. This scent has been a major hit in my house, both my husband and I are currently wearing it with abandon. He smells incredible in it and I'd like to think that I do too.

Disclaimer- Sample gratefully received from Von Eusersdorff, opinions my own.

Susie Baird– Senior contributor and editor of Epiphany. (all art is from Tales from Arabian Nights by Edward Dulac)

Editor’s Note: Opoponax will debut at Esxence The Scent of Excellence March 26-29, 2015. It will retail for $160 USD and in stores around the world as of April 2015. To read former Managing Editor Tama Blough’s fragrance reviews of Classic Patchouli, Classic Myrrh, Classic Mimosa, Classic Orange and Classic Vetiver (please click here . At the time that Tama wrote the review of the collection, the perfumes was not available in the USA. Twisted Lily and Indigo Perfumery both carry the line.

Thanks to Meneer Camille Henfling Jr. we have a draw for a ÇaFleureBon reader in the world for a 100 ml bottle. To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Susie’s review, if  you have a favorite Von Eusersdorff scent,  and where you live. If there is a note or ingredient you think would be wonderful for a Von Eusersdorff perfume, Camille will be reading this review, so here's your chance. Draw closes March 20, 2015

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