Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool (Rodrigo Flores-Roux) Review +Never Ending Australian Summer Draw

Carlos Huber and Rodriog Flores-Roux

I’ve never been to Australia. I know it’s more than koala bears, kangaroos and an opera house, but I couldn’t tell you what  the world’s largest island  (the same size as the continental USA) would smell like. Thank goodness Carlos Huber and his longtime partner in perfume master perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux are here to school me in what Australia really smells like, at least the beaches of Sydney in the summer. It is tropical, it is salty and above all, it is all out sexy.

Rock Pool at Mona Vale Beach, Sydney, Australia © Joel Henry

The first time I smelled Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool was last week at the launch at Perfumarie. I sprayed the fragrance on a paper blotter and I was greeted with the aromas of coconut and white florals.  Flores- Roux happened to be standing next to me and asked me what I thought. I told him that it seemed beachy and very pretty at first sniff.  There was a devilish glimmer in his eye; he smiled, he told me that it wouldn’t stay that way.  When I got home and sprayed it on my skin I understood exactly what he meant.

Sun Worshipers © Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

First a little background. Condé Nast Traveler magazine commissioned Arquiste to create a small batch, bespoke fragrance celebrating Australia, the magazine’s destination of the year in 2016. Huber and Flores-Roux were asked to make a perfume that captured the heady smell of Bondi Beach in Sydney during the summer. This first interpretation was very good but it wasn’t enough for Huber. He wanted to bottle that magic moment of swimming in Sydney’s salt water rock pools at the end of a day after sun bathing under a blazing, clear, summer sky.

Tamarama Beach, Sydney, Australia © Luke Dean-Weymark

In order to evoke the essence of a sunbaked Australian summer, Huber believed the fragrance needed the scent of hot skin soaked with sunscreen, and a very specific coconut-scented one at that. Flores-Roux was skeptical. Undaunted, he used headspace technology to capture the actual olfactory composition that Huber craved.

 

Coconut trees © Gerson Repreza

We are not made made of paper; we are flesh and blood, no matter if anyone tells you otherwise, fragrance behaves differently on your skin than on a perfume blotter. The first moments of Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool are given over to a strong, creamy coconut note but soon a clean breeze cuts in. It’s the mineral scent of wet rocks, a bit of sea-spray saltiness, and the freshness of Australian sandalwood. Underlying it all is an intoxicating, animalic note. Between that and the sun-warmed skin molecule Flores-Roux isolated…this fragrance is addictive.

.Frangipani © Charlie Harutaka

It took an hour for the floral notes to emerge and it was worth the wait. The narcotic florals of frangipani and jasmine sambac lift off your skin. They are spiked with a greener narcissus that serves to highlight their creamy beauty. I love this stage of Arquitse Sydney Rock Pool. In the background the saltiness continues, sometimes drier like driftwood and sometimes wet like seaweed… but always sophisticated and balance.

Beach foam on Sydney shore © Sacha Styles

The dry down of Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is woody amber (Flores-Roux used Ambermax ©, to evoke the scent of the nape of your lover’s neck), still tinged with traces of the tropics. Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is eau de parfum concentration but performs on my skin like an extrait.  Projection is good, longevity; excellent as it lasted 12 hours. News flash!  There is a skin cream under development (which would be a first for Arquiste) to accompany the  Sydney Rock Pool; that pairing will be unstoppable!

photo via Arquiste

I’ve long been a longtime fan of the Arquiste collection especially for the stories they tell, from the pre-Colombian Aztec fumes of Flor y Canto to Ella’s vibrating discos of 1970’s Acapulco. However Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is not looking back to a bygone era. It is of the moment, modern and its story takes place in the chic, sexy 21st century. Notes: Mineral accord, coconut skin accord, Australian Sandalwood,, driftwood note, narcissus absolute,  FrangipaniJasmine sambac seaweed, Ambermax, sea salt accord.

Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool

Disclaimer: Arquitse was generous to supply a sample for review. My opinions are my own.

Marianne Butler, Sr. Contributor

Follow us on Instagram: @cafleurebon, @spritzi_mcgillacutty, @arquiste @indigoperfumery

 Thanks to the generosity of Ann from Indigo Perfumery we have a 100 ml bottle of  Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool for one  registered  reader in the USA ONLY. To be eligible please leave a comment with what you thought of Marianne’s review, and your favorite Arquiste fragrance. Draw closes 10/5/2018

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our  blog feed…or  your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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39 comments

  • This fragrance sounds like a dream!!! I live on a boat, so every element I can relate to and would adore the opportunity to wear this!!! I’m I’m California USA

  • Very evocative review. I have heard great things about this fragrance! I have not smelled any Arquiste yet, so I can’t comment on my favorite.

  • The idea of a pool built on the rocky beach and the pictures of such are a new idea for me. What an image to build a fragrance on. My favorite Arquiste is The Architect’s Club….smoky gin! I live in the US.

  • Thoughts of Sydney and Australia sound amazing. Love the photos and the words. Thank you. I live in the US.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    What a wonderful draw! My interest is piqued by the connection to sun-warmed skin. Love to hear how there is just a small subtle animalic undercurrent beneath flowers and woods–sounds like a wonderful way to fabricate that overall odor profile! Thanks so much for this draw. My favorite Arquiste is probably Infanta en Flor for its indolic unisex floral vibe and El + Ella as a complementary duo that really goes together! I’m in the US.

  • Loved Marianne’s review! Particularly this bit: “Underlying it all is an intoxicating, animalic note. Between that and the sun-warmed skin molecule Flores-Roux isolated…this fragrance is addictive.” I’ve been on the hunt for a beachy fragrance that is more complex than what I’ve found so far, and Sydney Rock Pool sounds like a contender! My favorite Arquiste scent is Flor y Canto. Writing from NC, USA – thanks for the chance!

  • fazalcheema says:

    Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is interesting release. It starts beachy and ends with woody amber. I love Anima Dulcis from arquiste and have two bottles of it. Thanks for draw. I am in US.

  • I liked the brief description of Australia including the pictures. I had no idea it was considered an island. I don’t have a favorite Arquiste fragrance.

    I live in California

  • Lovely description of first moments through dry down. A fragrance that lasts 12 hours would be amazing. I would like to try this scent as well as the Esencia del Palacios they all sound so good. In CA

  • I love the Arquiste line and I love Rodrigo Flores-Roux! I got a happy chuckle when Marianne mentioned my two favorites, Flor y Canto and Ella. Marianne’s description of Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is wonderful. I adore frangipani and coconut and sandalwood and salty, mineral sea spray. Sounds heavenly. USA.

  • Marianne’s review makes this sound like summer in a bottle. How cool is that! I don’t have a favorite Arquiste perfume, but this sounds like a great place to start. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • I love how Marianne described this fragrance and was equally as pleased in her comment that we are not made of paper as I too find that my skin can often do something magical to the right fragrance for me. I have never tried an Arquiste so this would be my first should I be fortunate enough to win, Thanks for the draw, USA

  • Great review. Australia is definitely on my long list of places to travel to and if the description in this review and the notes of Sydney Rock Pool are any indication, I’ll be spending a lot of time at the beach

  • doveskylark says:

    Marianne’s review makes me want to both spray this fragrance all over my body AND book a flight to Sydney. I loved the description of the narcotic florals.
    I am a big fan of Nanban from this house. That fragrance carries me on a journey by wooden spice ship to ancient Japan.
    I live in the USA.

  • It’s the mineral scent of wet rocks, a bit of sea-spray saltiness, and the freshness of Australian sandalwood that has drawn me to this fragrance. US

  • I was very taken by Marianne review and also that Rodrigo Flores zroux was there when she first tested it. It’s really unique sounding beachy but not like suntan lotion
    My favorite Arquiste is anima dulcis

  • Ooh, I’ve wanted to try this for a while, and love that it smells better on skin than a simple paper blotter. Thank you so much for the draw! I have not tried other Arquiste fragrances, and will keep my eye open for therm. I’m in the us.

  • I love the sensibility of Arquiste in general – I am noticing a trend towards new releases evoking very specific places through scent. Never been to Australia, but the mix of sea-salt and suntan lotion is one I can relate to. I am in the US

  • Lovely review. I couldn’t agree more about paper vs skin. When I spray on paper, paper is the first thing I smell. I always test on skin before buying. I love the animalic notes in Ella. I wonder if this is similar? I enjoyed the backstory about Traveler magazine (a favorite) commissioning the scent. Thanks for the review and the draw. USA

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    A trip to Australia is on my bucket list. Until then, living vicariously through evocative fragrance will have to do. Sunscreen vibes make me happy. My favorite from the house so far is Anima Dulcis. I live in the US and thank you to Arquiste for their generosity.

  • You had me at creamy coconut and wet rocks. One of my favorite summer scents would be Oud Minerale by TF because of the mineral accord. It reminds me of waves crashing onto a rocky shoreline. This fragrance sounds like it takes it to a new level. My favorite line from Marianne’s review was, “this fragrance is addictive”. Wonderful review! My favorite Arquiste would be The Architects Club. Arkansas, USA

  • The description of the floral notes’ development sounded very evocative. I’d love to give this one a whirl.

    I live in the USA(Virginia), and while Arquiste is a brand that intrigues me, I’ve only sampled one so far and it didn’t quite work on my skin. I want to try more, though.

  • So beautiful review, dear Marianne ..I really enjoyed it and Appreciated your sincerily style of your presentation.
    I can only imagine perfume in which there are aromas of australian beach, sunny sky, wet rocks and clean breez. WOW!!!!
    I need this perfume!
    My favorite Arquiste perfum is El.
    US

  • I adore Arquiste Ella and many others in the line, what I really enjoyed about Marianne’s review is the personal interaction she had with the perfumer where he asked her what she thought of it. The blue bottle is gorgeous and I love the retro lettering on it. I’m in the U.S. Thank you!

  • I like that the review is fresh and uplifting, and—although so many of the listed notes are salty-ish, the writing is not leaving you savory, so to speak. I love NanBan and usually go easy on the beachies, but I’m ALL about salt myself and cannot wait to try this one. Oh, and I LOVE the bottle.
    I’m in the US, thanksmuch

  • I’ve never heard about this house until now, but i would love to win and try this juice, the notes sounds great. Thanks for the chance, US.

  • I woke up to 38 degrees so I really enjoyed reading about summer! I’ve never been to Australia, but I’d like to smell this interpretation of it. I love a eau de parfum that acts like an extrait. I didn’t know Conde Nast Traveler had perfume commissioned. I’ve been missing out. Love the color of the bottle. I am not familiar with this line. USA.

  • sillage4ever says:

    Sounds spectacular. The concept of a “bespoke fragrance celebrating Australia” could easily turn gimmicky but this appears to be a tasteful ode to Down Under.

    So far my favorite Arquiste is Flor y Canto, I can never get enough of white flowers. I’m in the USA.

  • OMG!!!! I am soo excited for this fragrance!! I love the notes and the bottle is gorgeous!!
    I have the honor of trying some of Arquiste fragrances in the past like..
    Flor Y Canto a beautiful tuberose, L Etrog a wonderful citrus! I tend to gravitate towards aquatic and citrus scents mainly because they remind me of happy times at the beach and sun tanning. I really enjoyed reading the back story of this fragrance, makes you just wanna spray some on & go dancing at a pool party! Thank you for the opportunity, I live in USA !

  • I’ve never smelled anything from this perfume house before. I nearly melted when I read this description – “The dry down of Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is woody amber (Flores-Roux used Ambermax, to evoke the scent of the nape of your lover’s neck”. How sexy!!!!!

    I live in the USA

  • Interesting concept – ” strong, creamy coconut note ….mineral scent of wet rocks, a bit of sea-spray saltiness, and the freshness of Australian sandalwood. Underlying it all is an intoxicating, animalic note. Between that and the sun-warmed skin molecule Flores-Roux isolated…this fragrance is addictive.” Add some florals in the base and i’m in.
    Saw quite a few Youtube Arquiste reviews – Nanban mostly .I do remember Carlos from BFL did a review , but to be honest up until now i’ve never smelled any of their fragrances,but i will soon.
    Everybody knows Rodrigo Flores-Roux – i do wear Jasmin Rouge right now.One of favorite perfumers.
    Virginia

  • I love the mischievousness of Rodriog when Marianne first sniffed the scent, the smile from him that said something unexpected is going to happen when you smell this scent later. Love the complexness of this frgrance, smell like swimming in the ocean after tanning on Bondi beach! I do not have a fave fragrance from Arquiste. I live in the US!

  • Haven’t tried an Arquiste fragrance And Sydney Pool Rock sounds good.
    Don’t think I’ve tried a beachy coconut woody scent. This will be nice
    Thanks for the draw. U.S.

  • Great review, Marianne! I felt like it was gradually unfolding, just like the scent. I’m particularly intrigued by the wet rocks/mineral note and would love to try this. Plus that blue bottle is such a gorgeous color! I have lots of favorites from Arquiste, but the two favorites I own are The Architects Club and J.Crew No 57. I’m in the US and would love to add Sydney Rock Pool to that number. Thanks!

  • I’ve been interested in tropical, salty fragrances lately. I like the sound of how this works with the skin for that beachy, salty, coconuty scent. Plus the performance sounds great.
    I havent tried any from this house.
    Im in the US. thanks for the draw

  • Ok you got my attention with creamy coconut , wet rocks, a bit of saltiness, and sandalwood+frangipani+just a bit animalic .…
    I do like not all but most Arquiste fragrances – i was able to sample the whole line when i was in Londona few weeks back-at Bloom Perfumery.
    What i like – Anima Dulcis and Nanban are both fantastic fragrances i adore ….but just nor all,but most Rodrigo Flores-Roux fragrances longevity and sillage are bellow average….unfortunately 🙁 If the performance was better … i’ll most definitely buy both asap , but it’s not … what a bummer.
    This “Arquiste Sydney Rock Pool is eau de parfum concentration but performs on my skin like an extrait.” makes me a bit optimistic about performance , but i have to sample it first.
    Thank you both Indigo Perfumery and CaFleurebon for this draw , and Marianne Butler for her nice review.
    I do follow all of you on IG
    USA
    P.P.
    If someone from Arquiste is reading this-guys in late 2018 not having a sample set for sale…is not a smart thing to do.

  • OMG….this sounds amazing! You had me at the creamy coconut and sandalwood. I’m in love with Australia and this will take me back for sure. Thanks for the draw and I live in the US! 🙂