Shay and Blue Kings Wood ~ New Perfume Review + Timing is Everything Draw

Peregrine Heathcote©

Since 2012 London perfume house Shay & Blue have been perfectly poised when it comes to “timing is everything”, always managing to release scents that are spot-on of the moment. Their newest release Kings Wood is an aromatic fougere that straddles the butch/femme border and will be loved by all genders, fluid or fixed.  Shay and Blue Kings Wood, (a “Fragrance Concentrée” equivalent to pure parfum) will have its wide release on September 1st on the Shay & Blue website and retailers worldwide.

I want to persuade you not to be one of the crowd. Our scents are different. With Shay & Blue change the way you feel by choosing a modern unique fragrance. Be true, be you.” – Dom De Vetta, Founder Shay & Blue

Julie Massé and Dom De Vetta courtesy of Shay and Blue

The Shay & Blue range under the creative direction of Dom De Vetta (previously Senior Executive at both Jo Malone and of CHANEL) and  in- house perfumer Julie Massé (Armani Si Le Parfum, Pivoine Suzhou and Giovanna Antonelli’s 411 Intenso among others) always manages to surprise me in the best way possible. I can read a notes list and think “well, maybe not for me” but then I try the fragrance and become immediately obsessed. It occurred with their Atropa Belladonna, Black Tulip, and the now iconic Salt Caramel. All three were scents I almost passed over only to end up buying bottles, I loved them so much! This newest release is a textbook reference in how to take seemingly disparate ingredients and create bottled perfection.

British Colonial Pineapple Print (pineapples were scarce in Great Britian in the 1700s and a sign of status, costing up to $8,000 in today’s market value) wiki

Pineapple is the star of Kings Wood, but not a sweet fruit hit, nor reminiscent of the over-hyped Aventus by Creed. Rather Shay and Blue Kings Wood plays up the bitter and sweet acidic nature of pineapple, spicing it up with nose-tingling pepper and the forest-undergrowth green of fern all set against a deep warm background of aged leather and an almost fumed oak; that scent that greets you if you open a 1910 armoire in an antique furniture shop. Kings Wood feels like stumbling into a turn-of-the-century British gentlemen’s club; perhaps one that caters to the upper echelon of the East Indies Trading Company.

Michael Connors Vintage West Indies leather chair and veranda©

The air is redolent of polished wood gleaming brightly, old Persian carpets underfoot, and bowls of fresh fruit which have been carefully and lovingly carried over the seas in the hold of a trade clipper. The dominant pineapple note creates a fragrance that works and wears extremely well in warm weather, and I am anxious to try it in the dead of winter as well, when I suspect the fruit note will take a back seat to the leather and oak, creating a scintilla of sweetness to the overall vibe.

Shay and Blue Kings Wood is the perfect perfume for those “take-no-prisoners” days when you need to feel at the top of your game, both confident and empirical.

Notes: Pineapple, Fern leaves, Sichuan pepper, leather, Oak, English woods.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Shay & Blue for my bottle of Shay and Blue Kings Wood .The opinions are my own.

Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Dom De Vetta was one of seven founders of independent perfumeries that were recently featured in my round table “Independent Perfumery Growth in an Increasingly Consolidated Market”

Thanks to Shay & Blue, we have a 100 ml Avant Premier bottle of Shay and Blue Kings Wood for one registered reader in the EU, USA, and Canada so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Shay and Blue Kings Wood based on Robert’s review, where you live in and your favorite Shay and Blue Fragrance Draw closes 7/27/2018

We announce the winners only on our website so like Cafleurebon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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50 comments

  • Just Add Light says:

    I would imagine that the common male enthusiast would become excited at sound of the words “king” and “pineapple” for one reason or another (wink). Yeah. Let’s not go there… At the very least, I agree with Dom de Vetta when he “[persuades us] not to be one of the crowd.” Moreover, Robert’s description of Kings Wood being reminiscent of an antique shop is more in keeping with my own personal tastes. Give me oak any day of the week. Add some leather and pepper and I can almost taste the vividness of the stunning artwork in the article. Definitely brings to mind Indiana Jones, a character that I have often been compared to myself. Kings Wood – The scent of a professor and adventurer alike.

    Unfortunately, I haven’t smelled anything from Shay and Blue so I don’t have a favourite! But if Blood Oranges, Blacks Club Leather or English Cherry Blossom are comparable in quality and feel, I’m game for sampling the lot. Canada.

  • I didn’t had the chance to test any juice from this house yet but i really like those bottles. The notes pyramid is really interesting and also the fact that the pinneaple note is the star but not in the “aventus” style. Thanks for this great draw, i am in the EU.

  • Mr_Sillage says:

    Robert did an amazing job writing about this. I love how he talked about the pineapple. Being bitter and acidic and just his descriptive weird are so well put together. I also enjoyed that he acknowledged that it’s a great summer scent, but he’s also exceed to wear it in the dead of winter. This scent sounds so so well blended with quality ingredients the way that robert describes them.
    I have yet to have been able to try ANY fragrances from this house but hear incredible things and the Watermelon fragrance appeals to me too as well as this. Thank you for the opportunity. I live in Philadelphia PA

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    Never tried Aventus. Not a Creed fan, so no need to! I like the the armoire comparison, old wood, Persian carpets and a gentleman ‘s club.
    Happy that the pineapple is not fruity sweet. That would get boring really quickly for me.
    I have also never tried anything from Shay and Blue. Would love the opportunity.
    I am in the US.

  • Sérgio Teixeira says:

    Nice work Robert. Recently I have been drawn to the more gentleman, old-school vibe, colonias and fougeres, so this description takes me to one of those cigar-smoking businessmen rendez-vous in a relaxed weekend trip in the turn of the century (not this one, the one before), and for sure up my alley. Have to put my nose on this one. Portugal here. Never tried anything from this house so far.

  • Harbinger says:

    The way Robert describes the pineapple note makes this fragrance appealing to me. I have never tried anything from this perfume house. I am in the US.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    I like that the pineapple focuses on the sour and acidic nature of the fruit. It sounds like an alternative to citrus, rather than a sweet, fruity, juicy note. Paired with the darker and drier notes, and I get a feeling that it’ll be sort of like Ted Lapidus PH?
    I don’t have any favorites from the house since I’ve yet to try them. I think I’ve seen them featured here before though.
    I’m in the US. Thanks

  • Woods. pepper, leather and bitter pineapple sounds amazing. I do not like Aventus, so I hope this one will hit into my taste. I see some more interesting releases from Shay & Blue like Black Tulip, Dandelion Fig, Nashwa but I haven’t try any perfume from this house yet. I live in Poland, EU

  • Great review fragrance sounds really interesting… pineapple, aged leather and an almost fumed oak. im actually glad it’s not another aventus wannabe …theres so many already . Anyway my favourite shay & blue fragrance is Nashwa Extract of Parfum its an oriental woody with some gourmand facets ,coconut,cocoa deliciousness.

    Canada here!!

    Thanks for giveaway this sounds fantastic !

  • I haven’t tried anything from Shay and Blue as of yet. Pineapple, leather and fern leaves just may be my new thing. USA

  • Kyle Karnes says:

    I haven’t tried any of their fragrances but I am intrigued with this one because of the different type of pineapple note it has. I love eating and smelling pineapple, so I’d love to win this bottle and wear it to nice dinners with my wife here in Columbus, Ohio.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Kings Woods looks interesting with peppery pineapple and fougere elements. I am in US

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I have not sniffed anything from this line. I will have to get my nose on Salt Caramel, I didn’t know it was iconic and I love gourmand fragrances. I’ve smelled a few pineapple fragrances recently and have liked both of them. This one is probably a winner as well that I’d love to try. The timing is good since it is perfect for this extremely warm weather we are having!! Thanks Robert for the info. US.

  • Great review, and thanks for the give-away! This one sounds like a definite winner. The notes are what appeal to me the most about King’s Wood and reading that it smells like a gentlemen’s club also has me interested. I haven’t tried anything by Shay & Blue, yet, but they sound like an awesome fragrance House. I’m located in the United States.

  • Never heard of this house but the notes and description sounds great. Would love to give it a try. Arizona

  • marcopietro says:

    Wow! I never try Shay and Blue fragrances but this one sounds great! It contains all my favorite notes and from the description I expect a fragrance that satisfies all my senses.
    I live in EU.
    Thanks!

  • Lori Laws says:

    Robert”s descriptive review was very well written. I am most intrigued by the pineapple note, especially the bitter and acidic aspect. lt’s perfect for the various seasons and that is sometimes very rare. I LOVE Salted Caramel from this house. Thanks for the generous giveaway and I live in the US! 🙂

  • Robert, may I ask you if you consider it unisex? The notes sound like it.
    Thank you for the draw and review.

    I live in Europe

  • I heard a lot of good things about Shay and Blue, but I never had a chance to try anything from this brand, unfortunately. Kings Woods sounds wonderfully from the base of the review and from the notes. I would very like to try it. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • I have never tried Say and Blue but would love to . Pineapple is an interesting smell. But a bitter one, interesting. Thank you for the chance to try. I live in the US.

  • What appeals to me about the Kings Woods fragrance is really how diverse the fragrance seems. I think it would be a great cool weather fragrance but hearing that “the dominant pineapple note creates a fragrance that works and wears extremely well in warm weather” has caught my eye. I don’t have a favorite Shay & Blue so this could be my first. Arkansas, USA

  • I have tried several Shay & Blue with Sicilian Limes being a fave. Pineapple is not noticeable in all that many fragrances I have experienced and I want more. So far Shay & Blue has proven to me they are unique. US

  • I love the image of the clipper ship Robert conjures in this review! To be honest, I don’t yet own any pineapple-dominant scents and am not sure how it would fare on my skin, but Robert’s assertion that even the most unlikely Shay & Blue fragrances have made him a convert has persuaded me as well – I’d love to give it a try! I’ve yet to try a Shay & Blue fragrance, although I’ve been curious about the oft-mentioned Salt Caramel. I’m in the US – thanks for the draw!

  • The pictures who are used appeals me the most…I want them on my wall.
    But because of the pictures I can imagine how this perfume would smell
    And the notes are my cup of tea…so yes I would love to try this new perfume…I don’t know Shay & Blue perfumes but hear from them..

    Thanks for the draw and I live in the Netherlands

  • Nice to hear about a scent that contains pineapple and it’s not similar to Aventus. I like the fumed oak and leather idea to be merged with the fruitiness. Thanks for the draw. (EU)

  • Belladonna says:

    Beautiful review! Now I want to try this house! The one I have tried is “Watermelons”. It caught my attention when you said you’ve become obsessed in the past with 3 of their fragrances. That and I’m always looking for the Antique Armoire scent! Pictures are beautiful too. Thank you for the generous draw! US

  • Ivan.napoleon says:

    Untill now I dont have any bottle from this house, Id love to try this out.
    Great review, love the bottle and notes.
    Miami Florida
    Thanks

  • Great review. Makes me curious about this one. Own the Almond Cucumber one from Shay & Blue. Its a summer staple for me. Definitely a house with some nice fragrances to chose from.

  • Southernboy says:

    In this article what appeals to me, is the way Robert describes leather and the pineapple notes in this fragrance. Sounds like an amazing fragrance from the house of Shay and Blue. Live in the US

  • Kings Woods sounds fantastic as I really love pineapple and most importantly really intrigued as Aventus got trashed. Lots of respect for not rushing out creations and taking time to get the best most possible result.
    I have not tried anything yet from Shay and Blue this is my first introduction with it and it really looks promising.
    I live in EU.

  • This sounds like a very interesting take on pineapple! I’ll have to keep this one on my radar and give it a sniff when I get the chance.

    I live in the EU, and as always, thanks for the draws and excellent reviews!

  • kaitracid says:

    I liked Robert’s description of the fragrance and interested on this different take on pineapple. From the notes it does seem more of a colder weather perfume. I haven’t tried any of Shay and Blue perfumes, so I am curious trying them. I’m in the EU.

  • I’ve never smelled anything from this perfume house. Love that top note of pineapple! But the drydown of leather and woods sounds gorgeous.
    I live in the USA

  • WaltherP99 says:

    Thank you for this nice draw !
    Kings Wood should be right up my alley type of fragrance – i do love both pineaple,leather and especially oak notes.Each and every oak based fragrance comes much or less boozy on my skin , and i’m really excited to sample Kings Wood.
    I also consider Salt Caramel to be iconic , and i love Black Tulip too-own both , and as much as i love Aventus to me is over-hyped quite a lot.
    But i have to say Robert made a mistake with this “a “Fragrance Concentrée” equivalent to pure parfum” .
    That’s not truth .Kings Wood is not pure parfum , but 3 other Shay and Blue fragrances are.I love the house and own quite a few-6 to be precise,so i can tell.
    First we have the regular EDP line with transperant light blue bottles £55.00/$90 (UK-US prices) for 100ml , then the 3 with darker fragrance concentree bottles £85.00/$140 USD for 100ml , and the 3 (Fragrantica shows ony 1) pure parfums they call “Extract of Parfum” £145.00 for 60ml.For whatever reason the extraits are not available in US..not anymore at least,and i wonder why?!? Oud Alif Extract of Parfum , Amber Rose Extract of Parfum and Parfum Nashwa Extract of Parfum are all fenomenal scents.
    What i got from the brand:
    1.Blueberry Musk
    2.Blood Oranges – my scent of the day.
    3.Oud Alif EDP
    4.Salt Caramel – on my 2nd bottle
    5.Framboise Noire
    6.Black Tulip

    Virginia USA and London UK

  • The most appealing would be the pineapple note. I would really like to test it out. Thank you
    And I’m from CALIFORNIA USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    I don’t have a favorite Shay & Blue as I’ve never tried this house. What intrigues me is the different way that they are using pineapple in a fragrance. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Bubeto_GG says:

    Nice job by Robert – this review piqued my interest , and now i just have to sample Kings Wood.
    I do like pineapple in fragrances,but never been a fan of Aventus , so i’m happy it’s not some kind of clone , or Aventus type of fragrance.
    I very much like the fact that “sweet acidic nature of pineapple” are well utilized in this one.
    I do own 2 Shay and Blue fragrances -by far the most famous from the brand Salt Caramel , and the lovely for a nice autumn or spring evening walk Framboise Noire.Both fragrances are compliment monsters – i always get at least one or two unsolicited compliments every time i’m wearing one , or the other.

    Last 3 months back and forth between US and Scotland

  • I enjoyed this short, but very informative review!
    I like pineapple in fragrances. And as may of I when I hear pineapple in perfume immediately Aventus come in my mind!
    This perfume sound very interesting
    Unfortunately I’ve never tested any Shay and blue fragrances.
    US

  • RigdunLabro says:

    First, I liked that Mr. Herrmann pointed out that fragrances change with the seasons. Old news to some, but a recent epiphany for myself! I also suspect the darker notes will be more prominent in the winter. I like that I have at least heard of all of the notes in Kings Wood and can therfore try to imagine what it might smell like, but judging from the gleeful mastermind grins on the faces of Ms. Masse and Mr. De Vetta, that game is futile in this case. I have not yet tried anything by Shay and Blue, but I checked out their site. Black Tulip and Oud Alif sound like we need to meet! U.S.

  • I really enjoyed Robert’s description of the perfumer taking seemingly disparate ingredients and creating something beautiful and unique. My favorite Shay & Blue fragrance is Oud Alif and I am in the U.S.

  • AndrewT79 says:

    I own oud alif and am very impressed by the quality
    I would love to win Kings Wood.
    I live in the US

  • doveskylark says:

    The image of the wooden armoire and the Persian carpets is so evocative. I have an idea of this fragrance because I often visit antique shops. I haven’t tried any Shay and Blue fragrances, but I have heard many good things about Dandelion Fig and Black’s Club Leather.
    I live in the USA.

  • I like the vintage travel asthetic in the images that accompany this article. Also the note about how something you think doesn’t sound like it would appeal to you turns out to be one of your favorites. Can’t know until you try it! I have never tried Shay and Blue. I’m in the US.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    It’s nice to see a different take on pineapple.
    Loved Roberts article, especially the English colonial atmosphere comparison.
    I’ve been able to try only one perfume from Shay & Blue, Framboise Noire and it’s great. The berry and oud combination is wonderful.
    Can’t wait to try Kings Wood, it sounds unique.
    Thank you.
    I’m in the EU.

  • For some reason I’m attracted to this House even though I haven’t tried any of their offerings. Enjoyed this article and this fragrance sounds good. I do like the scent of pineapple and this one sounds a bit different than others. Thanks for the giveaway.
    U.S.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    Thank you Robert for the review.
    Shay & Blue have been launching very good creations lately and it seems that Kings Wood is no exception.
    I haven’t been able to try many fragrances from them, but Black Tulip is my favorite one so far.
    Thank you for the wonderful review and the generous giveaway.
    I live in the EU.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    Please ignore the second comment. I simply forgot I had posted one earlier. Many apologies.

  • doowtnehpets says:

    I like Robert’s description of the fragrance and that it’s a different take on pineapple. Live in Albuquerque. Never tried any Shay and Blue fragrances, heard good things.