Providence Perfume Co. Basil and Bartlett Review (Charna Ethier) 2020 + Botanical is Beautiful Draw

Providence Perfume Co. Bartlett and Pear review

Liza Minelli by David LaChapelle apped by Michelyn

 

“You and me and rain on the roof,
Caught up in a summer shower.
Drying while it soaks the flowers
Maybe we’ll be caught for hours,
Waiting out the sun.” ~ Rain on the Roof, written by John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful

 

Charna Ethier of providence perfume co

Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co.

Natural artisan perfumer Charna Ethier (our Rising Star of 2010) continues to move from strength to strength over the years. For some time now Charna has been creating seasonal eau de colognes: Branch & Vine, Lemon Liada, Tangerine Thyme. What distinguishes her summery light-hearted fragrances from anyone else’s is the very personal twist she imparts to this genre – that, and her splendidly quirky partnerings which trumpet to the multitude: Botanical Is Beautiful.

Providence Perfume Company Basil and Bartlett review

Vincent Van Gogh Orchard in Blossom 1888

Providence Perfume Co. Basil and Bartlett delivers what it promises and much more. Are we in the garden? The orchard? The herb and flower garden in the orchard? For me, speculation is rhetorical; Charna Ethier has composed a cologne with olfactory lyricism. Its soothing effect is one of a sudden summer downpour during peak heat of the season – and the subsequent immediate refreshment which follows. As is frequently the case with her fragrances, Basil and Bartlett defies categorization because it blurs expected boundaries. The aroma remains crisp and tender at once as it juggles floralcy with a juicy but not-overly-sweet pear note and anisic basil.

American Cultural Center Shall we Dance merengue apped MC

This is where Basil and Bartlett fascinates: tendrils intertwine – the verdancy of sweet/tart juicy green intersects with a deeper hue, that licorice-and-tarragon-like herbal tone which basil evokes. It’s unexpected and it works. Basil and jasmine we’ve experienced before; basil and rose as well. Basil and pear, however – perform a brilliant merengue, their upper bodies majestically discreet while hips sway as they turn and twist intricately. Lily and ylang ylang are another tale: spicy, buttery, whispering sotto voce of lurking indole. They’re simply naughty and they toy with rose (who doesn’t?) while the other couple weaves in and out without missing a beat. Despite a fairly short list of notes, the fragrant dance floor feels alive with movement and rhythm. That’s a great deal of activity for an eau de cologne – a classification from which we traditionally have come to expect little in this day of potent, often linear perfumes. There’s not a citrus in sight, either; no one does the unconventional quite like Charna Ethier.

best basil perfumes

Gardens Rogue 56

I found Providence Perfume Co. Basil and Bartlett thoroughly original and delightful while admitting that the first sniff challenged any preconceptions I held about cologne. It’s so different from anything else available that I’d recommend sampling it first. It may take a little time to become acquainted, so be patient. It’s worth it. Notes: pear blossom, rose, lily, basil, ylang ylang

Sample provided by the perfumer – many thanks!  My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

Providence Perfume Co Basil and Bartlett cologne

 

Providence Perfume Co. Basil and Bartlett Cologne

Thanks to the generosity of Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co. we have a 5m ml rollerball bottle of Basil and Bartlett for one registered reader worldwide. You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please comment upon what appealed to you in Ida’s review and where you live. Do you have a favorite Providence Perfume Co. fragrance? Draw closes 7/21/2020

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33 comments

  • Dami says:

    I was recently talking with a friend about basil and how challenging it can be as a fragrance note. Ida’s description of this creation really makes me want to try it. I love the fact it sounds so aromatically unusual. I have yet to try the scents from this line. I am in the USA.

  • drjedi says:

    No citrus at all – now that is a nice unconventional twist by perfumer Charna Ethier. I liked how Ida used the metaphor of dancing couples to describe Basil and Bartlett. Different couples going in and out of our olfactory view – basil and rose, basil and pear, and then lily and ylang-ylang in their dalliance with rose – very nice description, Ida. Haven’t experienced pear as a main note before, and no experience, yet, with Providence Perfume Company. Thanks for the draw and the review. Writing from the USA.

  • ll grhm says:

    I have not tried any Providence Perfume Co. fragrances so I do not have a favorit. I liked this part of Ida’s review. “This is where Basil and Bartlett fascinates: tendrils intertwine – the verdancy of sweet/tart juicy green intersects with a deeper hue, that licorice-and-tarragon-like herbal tone which basil evokes. It’s unexpected and it works. Basil and jasmine we’ve experienced before; basil and rose as well. Basil and pear, however – perform a brilliant merengue, their upper bodies majestically discreet while hips sway as they turn and twist intricately.” It sounds like a lovely fragrance. I live in the US

  • INYA says:

    Basil, pear, lily……thank you and on my wishlist it goes! Thank you for introducing me to another great brand! Mich USA

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Love the name of this and the concept. I especially love the idea that it starts off with cacaphony and dissonance and resolves into something that fits together so well. I love the smell of basil essential oil, and the idea of it paired with fruit and florals sounds refreshing and spectacular. I’ve sampled and enjoyed Osmanthus Oolong! I want to sample more of this brand that is so close to me!

  • NiceVULady says:

    Ida’s review delights, yet cautions, which I appreciate. This sounds very different, but I really like pear scents, so I’ll have to try this. May thanks to Ida for an informative, yet lyrical review. Also thanks to Charna Ethier for a great draw. I’m in the USA

  • Wilbur Martin says:

    what appealed? such sexy talk about basil – my favorite scent
    If I could only rub a handful of basil on my face and neck and smell great, I’d do it

  • lmsa says:

    I like how complex and different this sounds, depsite only 5 notes. I love Divine; it’s divine! I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • Amaziz89 says:

    You and me and rain on the roof,
    Caught up in a summer shower.
    Drying while it soaks the flowers
    Maybe we’ll be caught for hours,
    Waiting out the sun.” ~ Rain on the Roof, written by John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful. A beautiful description by Ida intrigued by the notes of pear blossom, rose, lily, basil, ylang ylang. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    Notes of pear blossom, rose, lily, basil, ylang ylang. I am intrigued by the notes especially no citrus in sight sounds right up my street.
    Thanks a lot from the United Kingdom

  • Steliyan Syarov says:

    This is the first time hearing about this house. Basil and Bartlett seems quite interesting – basil and peer is an unconventional combination. I would love to have a sample to experience it myself. Thanks for the draw. – EU

  • Salem says:

    A challenging experience, even for Ida’s expert nose? Then it really must be something unique.
    I loved the part where this fragrance was described as a refreshing downpour of rain in a scorching hot day. The continuous movement and transformation of this scent also sounds fascinating.
    I would love to try this as my first experience from Providence Perfume Co., from the EU. Thanks!

  • patrick_348 says:

    The idea of teaming up pear and basil for a cologne sounds fabulous (even though Basil and Bartlett sounds like it could be a law firm). I liked Ida’s comparison of the fragrance to a merengue, which suggests the grace and liveliness with which the two notes must interact. I have never tried anything by Providence Perfume Co., and I live in the US, in North Carolina.

  • Pinchette says:

    Mon Dieu Ylang and Basil? This is what a real nose can do but I would never try otherwise. I bought from Charna many years ago. USA

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I really appreciated the uniqueness of this offering – “Basil and pear, however – perform a brilliant merengue, their upper bodies majestically discreet while hips sway as they turn and twist intricately. Lily and ylang ylang are another tale: spicy, buttery, whispering sotto voce of lurking indole. They’re simply naughty and they toy with rose (who doesn’t?) while the other couple weaves in and out without missing a beat.” And further about its uniqueness, I also appreciated that “there’s not a citrus in sight, either; no one does the unconventional quite like Charna Ethier.”

    I’ve never tried any Providence Perfume Co. fragrances.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I really appreciated the uniqueness of this offering – “Basil and pear, however – perform a brilliant merengue, their upper bodies majestically discreet while hips sway as they turn and twist intricately. Lily and ylang ylang are another tale: spicy, buttery, whispering sotto voce of lurking indole. They’re simply naughty and they toy with rose (who doesn’t?) while the other couple weaves in and out without missing a beat.” And further about its uniqueness, I also appreciated that “there’s not a citrus in sight, either; no one does the unconventional quite like Charna Ethier.”

    I’ve never tried any Providence Perfume Co. fragrances. I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I really appreciated the uniqueness of this offering – “Basil and pear, however – perform a brilliant merengue, their upper bodies majestically discreet while hips sway as they turn and twist intricately. Lily and ylang ylang are another tale: spicy, buttery, whispering sotto voce of lurking indole. They’re simply naughty and they toy with rose (who doesn’t?) while the other couple weaves in and out without missing a beat.” And further about its uniqueness, I also appreciated that “there’s not a citrus in sight, either; no one does the unconventional quite like Charna Ethier.”

    I’ve never tried any Providence Perfume Co. fragrances. I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • kasia04 says:

    It sounds playful and unique and I like that it’s natural perfume. I don’t have a favorite Providence Perfume fragrance, because this is the first time I heard of it, but I would like to try it.
    I live in Romania.

  • doveskylark says:

    I am here for the basil note. And I await pear season breathlessly every year. I like pears that are not quite ripe. I love when they are firm and less juicy yet still so flavourful. The addition of rose and ylang ylang have truly piqued my curiosity. I haven’t tried anything from Providence Perfume Company.
    i live in the USA.

  • audesko1 says:

    In Ida’s review I enjoyed reading about how different Basil and Bartlett is. “it’s so different from anything else available that I’d recommend sampling it first. It may take a little time to become acquainted, so be patient. It’s worth it”. Notes: pear blossom, rose, lily, basil, ylang ylang. I love Charna’s Rose Boheme. USA

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    A cologne without ceste- what a challenge! Thanks for the draw, I would love to smell this special art piece. I live in the EU.

  • zibbyz says:

    oh, I have wanted to try Divine and Orange Blossom Honey Perfume Oil from Providence Perfume Co, but I haven’t bought samples yet. This one sounds like it would be fun to try, and it is something different for the summer. Merengue was an interesting analogy that Ida used! Thank you for the draw and for the review. I’m in the US>

  • Carboytony826 says:

    Ida, thank you again for a phenomenal review. Charna, thank you for your beautiful perfumes as well as the generosity of the draw.

    I love how Ida describes the interplay between the pear and the basil as a merengue. I often imagine note pairings and interactions as dances, they just seem to leap off the skin and do dances in the olfactory ether. This sounds absolutely stunning!

    I’m in the US

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    I just came inside from rubbing my hands through my basil plants just for the scent. I have been meaning to try this house for some time considering Providence is not too far from me. I love the idea of this fragrance and the blending of pear and basil sounds quite interesting. It’s not a combo I’d have thought of. Thank you for the draw from the US.

  • Jake Dauod says:

    What appeals to me is the perfumer’s passion for botanicals. I am always fond of perfumers who try to master a certain category of fragrance because they are able to make fragrances that have great depth that the average perfumer might not be able to create. This is also my first time hearing of Providence Perfume Co. so I have not had the opportunity to smell any of their offerings. Kind regards from Illinois, USA.

  • xoe says:

    Basil and pear in an unconventional botanical cologne? Wow! This sounds great. I love the weird ones, but I’ve never tried anything from Providence Perfume Co. I am in the USA.

  • Zanetta says:

    Basil & Bartlett blurring the lines of conventional aromas with no citrus. Quite intriguing. The licorice-and-tarragon tone of basil catches my attention. I like herbal scents so I’d probably enjoy it. USA

  • valentina says:

    How could it not appeal to me when Ida says that It’s so different from anything else available?! So sad that I didn’t get to test this perfume house till now. I live in EU

  • Timea says:

    I have never had a chance to try anything from Providence Perfume Co. But I always wanted to. Basil and Bartlett sounds wonderful from the base of the notes and the review. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • helenlam says:

    This combination of pear and basil sounds so refreshing. I was thinking how the basil must be more like Thai or holy basil. I was even more excited when I saw that ylang ylang was in it too. This sounds like something fun to smell. I’ve never tried anything from this house before. I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • sniffinggood says:

    Basil and pear? SOLD! I have never tried anything with those notes combined. I am from the USA.

  • Shannon Gaines says:

    Greetings from Lexington, Kentucky USA! I have never sampled Providence Perfume Co before so I do not have a favorite. I really liked that Ida’s review highlighted how this fragrance is different from anything else on the market. I really enjoy fragrances that are complex and unusual. I am also highly intrigued by the basil note.