Boadicea the Victorius Intense Review (John Stephen) + Ode to Honey Draw

 

Boadicea the Victorious Intense review

Boadicea the Victorius Intense bottle, photo by Nicoleta

“just your mouth,

just your love

just your anointing oils

just your name

just your chambers

just your love

and my myrrh

and my spice

and my honeycomb

and my honey

and my wine

and my milk “- David Lang – Just (After Song of Songs) soundtrack to Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth (2016).

Best Honey perfumes

 Photo of Monica Bellucci by Fabrizio Ferri

Honey is such a complex natural scent, so multifaceted and rich, that it’s a hard task to properly translate its natural beauty into the perfect perfume essence. Though appealing, the honey note in perfumes can easily turn “Doctor Hyde” on me and weave a sticky claustrophobic veil on my skin… with this iconic image of Monica Belluci immediately popping to mind.

What can be more ancestrally sweet-sinful than honey, I ask? From the biblical promised lands of milk and honey, passing through the ambrosia and nectar of the gods, wiping away the tears of the Sun Gods, reaching the eternal Yggdrasil, the giant tree of Norse mythology, with its roots entwined in the nine worlds, dripping honey. For me, Boadicea the Victorius Intense is THE honey I’ve been looking for in a perfume. An ode to honey, perfectly composed, with an obsession to details bordering a Hieronymus Bosch level, painting with aroma molecules an eternal garden of worldly desires.

Hieronymus Bosch and perfume

The Garden of Earthly Delights, Museo del Prado Madrid, c. 1495–1505, Bosch.

 Boadicea the Victorius Intense is all about honey, but like sins, how many facets and nuances it can have! Rotating between the dark side: sensual, fetishized, sometimes feral and salty, other times sharp like a sudden sweat, musky like a morning embrace; to the other bright side of the moon: vegetal, sweet, appetizingly citric, and deeply floral – that kind of vegetal sweetness and depth that makes me see all the petals and pollen of the world spun in a whirlwind. Boadicea Intense feels like an olfactory mixing palette on which, no matter how many colors you mix in, the result is always sweet, deep and ambery – yellowed.

Boadicea the Victorious is a British brand and was launched in 2009 and was created by John Stephen.

Notes: Citrus Notes, Lily, Rose, Jasmine, Honey, Vanilla, Patchouli

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Contributor

Disclosure: My own bottle, opinions are my own

Boadicea the Victorious Intense 2009 review

Thanks to Nicoleta have a draw for a deluxe sample of Boadicea the Victorius Intense for a registered reader in the USA and EU only. Please tell us what you enjoyed about Nicoleta’s review of Boadicea the Victorious Intense, if you are familiar with this brand and where you live. Draw closes June 2, 2020

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48 comments

  • mleenstra says:

    I love honey based fragrance. I have been wearing Hiram Green’s Slow Dive and Kyse’s Miele more and more these days. It really feels like something naughty from the classics as Nicoleta points out in her review: Honey a nectar of the Gods. I have never tried Boadicea the Victorious, but as an archaeologist in the UK I feel I should. Marit

  • jhalim22 says:

    This sounds like such a decadent perfume. Nicoleta really got me with “wiping the tears of the sun gods.” Wow!

    This is the first time I hear of this house but I definitely will be looking into it.

    John, MD, USA

  • Kirsten says:

    Sounds heavenly!!! I would love this!!! Thanks for the opportunity! I’m in florida USA

  • Anita Capota says:

    The description evokes the complexity of the fragrance perfectly.I love this Baodicea Victorious and yes, it is an olfactory victoy of the sweet nectar, we all know and love honey.I live in Romania and I’d love to own one of this gorgeous bottles!

  • RonaldJ says:

    Thanks for the article, I already feel more familiar with the scent and know it’s something I’ll enjoy now. I do not have a honey fragrance yet, but was looking to purchase L’Envol from Cartier. My partner loves the scent of honey and I was looking for something we could both enjoy.

    I have not heard about Boadicea de Victorious before, but have added them to my list.

    I live in the UK

  • Sasha says:

    I know boadicea but don’t know intense. I have tested Complex, and lavish. Love honey perfumes. I read about Zoologists Bee on this site and love 4160 Tuesdays Centrepiece. I really like Nicoleta style of writing using music and love the photos.
    Eu

  • INYA says:

    Boadicea de Victorious Intense sounds like a delicious gourmand. I enjoyed reading about the many facets of this perfume. I haven’t tried any fragrances from this house. Thanks for the opportunity! Mich USA

  • Tim says:

    Multi-faceted honey fragrance sounds wonderful. My first time hearing about this brand. Regards from the USA.

  • helenlam says:

    Mmmmm…honey. Based on the review, this one doesn’t sound like a sticky sweet gourmand though, but more of a sensual luscious honey scent. It sounds decadently appealing. I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Eric Oden says:

    My favorite thing about the review was the Bosch painting! I have that same (amazing) painting hanging in my bedroom, which I bought at the Prado museum where the actual painting is displayed. Beautiful!

    I haven’t heard of this brand before today, and I live in Livingston, Montana, USA.

  • Camille Sheil says:

    I haven’t heard of this brand, so this is a delight. I have a tough time with honey in the kitchen, let alone in perfumery. I tend to find it off putting, even when others love it. So, I especially love this fragrance, which boasts of towing a line on the edge of a perfect balance between the salty sweaty and sticky mess and overly sweet, clawingly so. I am curious as to how this all ends up balancing itself!

    Thanks for this opportunity! I live in New Hampshire USA!

  • drewiba3 says:

    Curious to see what this smells like.
    I’m not familiar with the brand. I’m in MI, USA.

  • Shamrock1313 says:

    I’ve never tried a honey dominant frag, but I’m a fan of BtV and sounds like another winner from the house. So unique, dynamic and intriguing.
    Thanks for the giveaway
    Pennsylvania USA

  • sanvean79 says:

    I still haven’t found a good honey perfume that doesn’t smell super synthetic, could this be the one? Loving the imagery conjured up by Nicoleta.
    I am familiar with Ardent by Boadicea, which is a gorgeous, rich scent.
    Greetings from London, UK

  • C K says:

    This sounds really nice and unique. I really enjoyed how it says this is all about honey but how multifaceted it still is. I have heard of the brand and heard wonderful things but have yet to try any though I would love to. Commenting from CT USA. Thanks for the draw.

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    Notes: Citrus Notes, Lily, Rose, Jasmine, Honey, Vanilla, Patchouli. I am intrigued by the notes because I have not tried anything by Bodicea the Victorious but I am fascinated by the dark side of honey and a beautiful description by Nicoleta has piqued my interest. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Amaziz89 says:

    ‘Rotating between the dark side: sensual, fetishized, sometimes feral and salty, other times sharp like a sudden sweat, musky like a morning embrace; to the other bright side of the moon: vegetal, sweet, appetizingly citric, and deeply floral – that kind of vegetal sweetness and depth that makes me see all the petals and pollen of the world spun in a whirlwind’. A beautiful description by Nicoleta has piqued my interest in this fragrance because honey is a note I need to explore. I have tried Explorer from this house and was not disappointed. This is a house I need to explore further. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Riv says:

    I love honey in a scent, the photo of Monica Bellucci is spot on. I am only familiar with this house to the extent of having admired their beautiful bottle designs online <3

    I am in Finland, EU.

  • Amanda32828 says:

    What I enjoyed the most about this review is how with a few word Nicoleta remind us about this elixir of yesteryear, the magical nectar of beauty and health that has been present throughout history until our present times. That’s why I love to try a decant of this beautiful fragrance. Thank you for the opportunity to participate on this draw. I’m commenting from Orlando, Fl.

  • doveskylark says:

    I agree that honey fragrances can overwhelm ( I love that image of Monica Bellucci). Boadicea the Victorious Intense sounds like it has many facets that will keep the “I’m drowning” effect away. I love Nicoleta’s references to art.
    I haven’t tried anything from this brand.
    I live in the USA.

  • Malina says:

    I do love the mythical aspect that Nicoleta opted for to describe honey. Possibly an ingredient that dates to the beginning of times.
    I personally have a great passion for honey as a food and have made a purpose to try as many types of honey as possible and just like a note in a perfume, you can sense when smelling and tasting the honey what type of flowers the bees have pollinated.
    I am familiar with the brand but never tried their perfumes. I live in Romania (EU).

  • serephia says:

    Honey is very complex, and depending on the honey you buy it can smell different too! I do like the sweet, gourmand notes in honey and I hope that is captured in this fragrance along with the citrus and jasmine notes. Sweet and floral sounds like a dream to me! USA

  • Jannick85 says:

    I love honey in fragrance so this sounds very apealing, and I’ve never had the opportunity to try any fragrance from this house.
    Greetings from Denmark

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    What a wonderful review and perfume, I love honey, but I haben’t found my honey scent yet. maybe this is my perfect signature scent. Thanks for the draw.

  • RVS says:

    Nicoleta’s review goes straight to the heart of the perfume with a celebration of honey, best captured by the picture of Monica Bellucci. I have heard of this brand many times, but have never had an opportunity to get my nose on any of its offerings. Thanks for posting this. TX, USA

  • drjedi says:

    Enjoyed the nice pictures and description by Nicoleta of Boadicea the Victorius Intense. I haven’t tried many honey fragrances, except Honey Oud by Montale, which I like a lot for its depth and strength and uniqueness. Nicoleta is correct how unbalanced honey fragrances can be unappealing. With citrus and floral notes, and honey, Boadicea the Victorius Intense could be a charming fragrance, especially as Nicoleta highly recommends it. Thanks for the draw and the review. Writing from USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    I’ve not tried anything from this house, although I’ve seen it about and loved the bottles, let alone the name which is so awesome. I like honey perfumes and this sounds so nuanced. I look forward to trying it. Loved the review and thank you for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • CuteGuy says:

    Nice, I’d like to try this. Haven’t tried much fragrances with honey. Thanks, Ca

  • Margarita K says:

    Nicoleta’s review describes honey fragrance that’s not too sweet and gooey, but complex with floral notes. So perfume that not just smells like honey but represents the idea of the natural wander the honey is.
    Generous of her to offer a sample, this house is not easily found at shops.
    The bottle design is very evocative. USA

  • Timea says:

    Wow! This bottle is super amazing. So antique looking. And I very like the notes as well. I would very love to win this perfume. Thank you very much for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • Naomi says:

    I have never heard of Boadecia and Victorious, but Nicoleta’s description of “an ode to honey, perfectly composed, with an obsession to details ” sounds like a fragrance I might appreciate. Thick, overpoweringly sweet interpretations of honey tend to smother, but perhaps this one might be more like how I actually enjoy honey – not by the mouthful, but in small proportions – to draw out the beauties in other elements, with emphasis by subtlety.
    NH, USA

  • Brygantor says:

    What I enjoyed about Nicoleta”s review was the way she made honey sound exciting – by weaving in the myths concerning honey, and then breaking down the pleasing facets of honey, which tells the reader why they should WANT to try this fragrance. I’ve heard about this brand mainly from a YouTube channel (“He Smells Like Rome”), but have yet to sample. I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • Meowmomma says:

    I love how the fragrance is described as having a dark side and of course how it makes my mouth water thinking about a honey based fragrance. One of my favorite notes! I have not had a opportunity to test anything from this brand yet.

    I’m in the US, North Carolina
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Floris says:

    Nectar of the gods, what a nice and visual way of putting it. After having used Floris Honey Oud for many years I would love taste this honey and to climb the ladder to the gods in heaven. The description insinuates this fragrance trumps the rank taken up by my Vetiver Imperiale. I have to smell this to be sure! Belgium is eager, honey!

  • Linda says:

    I don’t know this perfume house, I associate intense with a strong persistence, and honey with its gourmand character always attracts me. A perfume that I would gladly bring in the evening in the summer.
    Linda UE

  • ancaan says:

    There is no other perfume like Intense. No other honey like the one in Intense. Powdery, spicy, raw, sweet and a little salty. Fell in love with it from the first sniff. I miss Intense… I`m in EU.

  • Jake Dauod says:

    I really like how passionate Nicoleta is about honey and it really translates to the review. I’m familiar with the brand, however, I haven’t tried any of their fragrances before. Warm regards from Illinois, USA.

  • Jos says:

    Never heard of this house before. Love the look of the bottle and the description is intriguing. Love to win! Living in the EU

  • Sulnaso says:

    Firstly, the bottle is beautiful. I’ve heard of the brand but have not experience it. I collect honey from all over the world, so I can attest to complexity of smell and taste of honey that Nicoleta states in her review. For me, honey that comes from a monofloral source have the most unique smell and taste. Hopefully I win the Boadicea the Victorious Intense sample. I’m in the US.

  • Paeonnia says:

    I love the image of the olfactory mixing palette , giving you the many facets of honey.
    I’m in EU.

  • Sngash says:

    Nicoleta’s review is short and sweet and befitting of a perfectly blended honey based fragrance. I also find honey a little cloying so since Nicoleta seems to have the same feeling and thinks this is perfectly composed makes me long to sample it. I’m in USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks you for the excellent review Nicoleta. Honey is a note that can easily go wrong and end up being extremely cloying and sickly. It’s great to see a perfume from this house featuring the note.

    I’ve smelt a few fragrances from this house and they have all been excellent.

    Regards from WI, USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Hmmm. intrigued that this is the honey fragrance Nicoleta has been looking for. The notes sound really nice. My local shop carries this line, but I haven’t checked it out yet. Looks like I need to do that. I haven’t had a honey fragrance in my collection other than a citrus honey from loccitane from many years ago (of course discontinued). Thanks for the chance. USA