DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue (Dawn Spencer Hurwitz) 2025 + Majestic Oud Giveaway

DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue

DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue Heirloom Elixir 40 via the brand

The Peacock

His loud sharp call

seems to come from nowhere.

Then, a flash of turquoise

 in the pipal tree

The slender neck arched away from you

as he descends,

and as he darts away, a glimpse

of the very end of his tail.

Something has broken your attention;

and if you look up in time

you might see the peacock turning away as he gathers

his tail

to shut those dark glowing eyes,

violet fringed with golden amber.

It is the tail that has to blink

for eyes that are always open. ~ excerpts from The Peacock, by Sujata Bhatt

 Nadir Shah The Peacock Throne

The Peacock Throne, Nadir Shah  via Wikipedia

Let us contemplate the peacock: the bird best known for its “eye” feathers originated in the Indian subcontinent. Its exalted tail conveys beauty and confidence. The peacock was proclaimed the National Bird of India in 1963, and it represents attributes such as beauty, grace, pride, royalty, power, and mysticism. A stunning example of its association with royalty would be The Peacock Throne, the opulent imperial seat of India’s Mughal emperors – constructed of solid gold, emblazoned with two peacock tails encrusted with pearls, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies – including the Koh-i-Noor diamond and the Timur ruby.

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes

Dawn Spencer Hurwitz courtesy of the perfumer

This alone provides ample inspiration for the fecund imagination of award-winning artisanal perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, as she focuses upon the exotic and eccentric elements which impart their compelling strangeness to this fragrance.

“There is no exquisite beauty… without some strangeness in the proportion” ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Hoi An Blue Lotus

blue lotus via Pixabay

Peacock Blue calls upon the rarest of the rare – an indulgence which the perfumer has generously chosen to share with us. As soon as I saw the fragrance’s name, I thought of blue lotus absolute: a precious and costly olfactory material which is both complex and ethereal. There are many descriptors for blue lotus which run the gamut, including a rich floral reminiscent of lilac and water lily (it is a water lily); a stone fruitiness akin to cherries; almondy nuances; possessing a fatty waxiness resembling frangipani; an aquatic limpid character; and drying down to a long-lasting powdery finish. Dawn couldn’t limit herself to any one particular oud in order to achieve her desired scent profile, so she employed six differing ones (from several locations and varieties) – chosen for their specific qualities. This blend exemplifies the many faces of oud and showcases their subtleties. An initial spark of lime peel and the juicy fruitiness of mango skin pave the path for classically Indian florals (Indian rose and rose attar, two varieties of jasmine, champaca leaf, osmanthus from the Himalayan foothills) which enmesh with other choice woods (Mysore sandalwood, Virginia cedar, Siam wood), the vegetal musk of ambrette, earthy, saline ambergris, and the meditative frankincense and sweet myrrh (aka opoponax). The final result is ornate and tranquil. Peacock Blue has a singular beauty that reminds me of a lovely face which is graced by two eyes of different colors. You cannot avert your gaze (or your nose, in this instance), which is inevitably drawn to its exquisite individuality.

Notes: ambergris,ambrette seed, champaca leaf co2, cinnamon bark, damask rose absolute, blue lotus, mango skin, frankincense co2 absolute, grandiflorum jasmine, gulab attar, incense, lime peel, musk, Mysore sandalwood, opopanax, osmanthus absolute,  oud Crassna, oud Maleki (Firmenich), oude / agarwood, sambac jasmine, Siam wood, Virginia cedar

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

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Peacock Blue heirloom elixir 40 DSH Perfumes

DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue Heirloom Elixir 40

Thanks to the generosity of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes, we have one 60 ml EDP of DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue for one registered reader in the continental USA. You must register. To be eligible, please leave a comment regarding what sparked your interest about Ida’s review of DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue, your favorite DSH Perfume and where you live in the continental USA. Draw closes 1/29/26

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ARTISAN PERFUMERS AND BUY DIRECTLY FROM THEIR WEBSITES OR STUDIOS You can sample here

DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue was one of Editor in Chief Michelyn Camen’s Top Ten Perfumes of 2025.

Enjoy Michelyn’s Interview with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes

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26 comments

  • Valerie says:

    I am a fan of DSH perfumes Habibi and have the EDP. It has oud in it too, and I would love to get my nose on Peacock Blue to see how the 6 ouds smell.
    Sounds gorgeous.
    I live in cold and snowy New Hampshire.

  • Sybelle16 says:

    Ida emphases the inspiration behind the creation of Peacock Blue is the eccentric and exoticness that the peacock represents: the beauty of its plumage, dazzling colors, confidence and grace. Many forms of oud from around the globe bring depth and a subtility along with classically Indian florals notes of Indian rose and rose attar, jasmine notes of champaca leaf and osmanthus, vegetal musk, woody notes, ruminative notes of frankincense and sweet myrrh to invoke the regal, opulent and mystical essence the peacock represents. It is an indulgent creation that has a distinct personality.
    USA

  • Joe says:

    The fragrance sounds lovely and the wonderfully written review makes me so curious about it. I was attracted by Ida’s description of the many facets of blue lotus. My favorite DSH fragrance is probably the exquisite Scent of Hope. Thank you to Dawn and your team for the draw opportunity! I am in New Jersey.

  • yogamarc says:

    I’m so intrigued by the complexity of this fragrance. The idea of several ouds and blue lotus blended together sounds incredible. Ida as usual conveys the depth of such a unique scent.

  • Ramses Perez says:

    6 different types of Oud? This is not for the faint of heart. Even though I don’t perceive this one to be super animalic but it has those facts that make a peacock so exquisite: regal, opulent and sophisticated. This truly is a blend that it’s created from an artist’s POV, and what I mean by that is that you have to dig in deep into your sense of smell to perceive the strange and eccentric facets of a peacock. This is truly an intriguing and fascinating fragrance to put our noses to. I’m located in the USA.

  • Danniel says:

    Complex and ethereal meets ornate and tranquil? I’m intrigued as I genuinely have no idea what this very opulent sounding fragrance could possibly end up smelling like. I have yet to experience DSH Perfumes and this sounds like it would make for an incredible first experience. I’m in the frozen USA

  • TheScentedPage says:

    First peacocks and a quote from Poe!

    The quote is appropriate because this fragrance, with 6 different types of Oud, is not for the feint of heart. But with the other notes (two types of jasmine) in the hands of an artist will create something beautiful and captivating.

    USA

  • skye says:

    Peacock Blue seems as exotic and colorful as its namesake. The Indian spices, fruits and florals provide a rich counterpoint to the different types of oud Dawn uses. I’m really interested in the blue lotus note. I’ve never experienced it but the description as a combination of water lily and lilac with cherry and almond facets. Sounds intriguing and meditative. Favorite DSH is Habibi. I’m in Maryland.

  • bustednose says:

    Oh my goodness. I’d so like to win this one. The opening poem really resonated with what I hope for this fragrance. My current fave from DSH is probably Bluegrass. I live in Texas.

  • opalbear says:

    I am so totally smitten with Dawn’s work. Her site is so expansive, it can be almost overwhelming but just start somewhere because it’s all good! You can even get sample packs by notes such as an iris violet sampler or you can buy soliflores like carnation or there are classic chypres or lush white florals or boozy concoctions fit for any soirée … it’s like a candy store for any perfume lover. Ooof and 60ml? How generous, she is such a gem! I would Love a 60ml of peacock blue! I am located in the U.S. Good Luck everyone thank you Dawn and Ida!

  • reyessence89 says:

    I’m imagining myself in a pitch black soundproofed room with oud wood chips covering the cedar walls and bouquet of flowers hanging from the ceiling. Only my sense of smell to give me context of the space I’m in. A pretty intense experience… that’s what I’m getting here while reading Ida’s review. I live in NE.

  • lkali says:

    You had me at six different types of oud. And Blue lotus?! Amazing! I was so excited to see a DSH giveaway. I’ve recently learned about her perfumes and loved every sample I’ve tried. My favorite is Damasq and I was just looking on her site for something that combines floral notes with oud. This would be so so amazing to win! As a side note, Dawn is the sweetest SMB owner I’ve ever interacted with so thank you for doing what you do! I’d love to visit her shop in person some day. I’m in Colorado.

  • kellyatwood says:

    If anyone else reading this is in Austin TX and has been to Mattie’s for dinner on the porch, perhaps this review transported you there. For those of you who don’t live in Austin, Mattie’s is a beautiful restaurant in an old house that was transformed into a restaurant and wedding venue and there are peacocks on the property that sit in the trees while you’re dining. They are absolutely beautiful and this review brought me right back to that beautiful porch on a hot summer day, sipping a Saint Julep and admiring the beauty of those beautiful birds!

  • Marcia L says:

    Great poetic writing,and I love the quotes chosen to accent. I have tried DHS over the yrars and been impressed by the creativity. US

  • amanna says:

    I really appreciate the thought and theme conception that goes into crafting a perfume full of rare and costly materials like Peacock Blue. Six different ouds to shimmer like the iridescence of the peacock, along with a number of beautiful natural materials that originate on the Indian subcontinent, just like the peacock! But like Ida, my eye is also drawn to the mention of precious blue lotus absolute! I have a small drop of this gorgeous and unique material in a vial that sniff every now and then to remember how amazing and complex the rare material is on its own. I’d love to see how Dawn has put it to good use in Peacock Blue!
    Best wishes from snowed-over NJ!

  • Ensorceler says:

    Ida’s review beautifully bridges poetry, history, and olfaction. What first sparked my interest was how she wove Sujata Bhatt’s “The Peacock” into the narrative of Peacock Blue. The way the poem’s fleeting image of the peacock’s tail, with its “eyes that are always open,” parallels Dawn Spencer Hurwitz’s intricate layering of blue lotus, oud, and Indian florals is mesmerizing. Ida captures not just the scent’s composition, but its movement, that shimmering play between visibility and mystery, beauty and strangeness. Her writing makes you feel as if the perfume itself is performing a slow, ceremonial unfurling, much like the bird’s train in sunlight.

    Though I haven’t yet put my nose on DSH Perfumes, I’d probably lean toward Peacock Blue Heirloom Elixir 40. That “blue oud” sounds as refined and opulent as Ida’s review suggests seems to capture both elegance and eccentric beauty. It feels like a fragrance that tells its own vivid story.

    – USA –

  • cnii says:

    My husband and I recently visited the Big Island of Hawaii, and Peacocks are wild there. We were riding horseback in the mountains and we would see them fly by–ungainly tail and all–and hear their calls, which sound like a cat or sometimes a human baby crying. Ida quoting Poe is right on: there is some “strangeness in proportion” when it comes to peacocks.
    I would love to try DSH Peacock Blue: the materials sound gorgeous, as does the inspiration. My favorite DSH scent (so far!) is Souvenir de Malmaison: I adore a vintage-inspired carnation.
    Thank you, Ida, for your thoughtful review, and Dawn, for your generous giveaway!
    I’m in WV, USA

  • mmerline says:

    Dawn composes beautifully with natural materials, so Peacock Blue sounds like a terrific showcase of these six oud, aromatic woods, blue lotus, and rich florals. The lime peel and mango opening is a nice touch—the oud and florals might otherwise wear somewhat heavy without an “initial spark”. Peacock Blue is impressive for its ornate complexity.

    I’m in WI, USA. My favorite DSH perfume is La Casa Azul. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • EPTrail says:

    My takeaway from the review is that blue lotus in Peacock isn’t a note, it’s a dramatic entrance. I’m not familiar with blue lotus. Lotus floats in like, “I bring serenity, wisdom, and inner peace”.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    That blue lotus is gorgeous, just like the peacock. I was at a restaurant out in the countryside of El Paso that was also a movie set. As we entered we were greeting by a screeching noise from the rafters of the covered entrance. I was shocked that such a beautiful bird could make such a sound. Love to see there is Mysore Sandalwood in the mix. It is truly a unique and supreme sandalwood. This sounds divine. Thanks for the beautiful description. WA state.

  • minteacup says:

    I was especially taken in by Ida’s description of all the ways blue lotus can be characterized – it’s like twirling a kaleidoscope reading and imagining the aroma. DSH is an icon of the indie perfumery world and I’ve seen an uptick in rave reviews in my corner of the online perfume community lately, so I’ve been building up a wishlist of samples to start exploring this house. I think some animalics like Foxy, Serval, and Habibi have high potential to become favorites! Can’t win them all, so if I don’t win this draw I need to add Peacock Blue to my shopping list. Oud is such a compelling material and the notes Dawn wove in to accompany it, the lotus and osmanthus and rose and opoponax and I could go on… sound like glittering jewels and shadows. I’m currently iced over in Maryland, USA… thank you for the draw!

  • David F says:

    This sounds regal and has so many different elements in its blend it leaves you guessing. The fact that it encompasses six different ouds is special and sets it apart from others. The blue allure and it’s dry and sweet parts makes this a true standout and a welcomed addition to any collection. With the range of ingredients I wonder how this wears but I’m confident that it’s beautiful and regal just like the peacock. Would love to own, from USA.

  • Kensolfactoryodyssey says:

    Ida’s review pulled me in with the way she framed Peacock Blue as both ornate and meditative—rare materials like blue lotus and multiple ouds woven into something tranquil yet mesmerizing. I love how she connects the fragrance to symbolism, artistry, and individuality rather than just listing notes. My favorite DSH Perfume is colorado and I’d love to experience others by dawn. I live in the Bay Area, USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the alluring giveaway feature! DSH Perfumes Peacock Blue Dawn sounds like a beautifully refined “blue oud” exploration — a rare pairing of rich blue lotus with six distinct ouds that gives it both depth and singular elegance. I imagine that interplay of radiant resinous florals and layered oud accords creates a luminous yet mysterious aura on the skin, like twilight light dancing over dark woods. The concept of blue oud especially intrigues me — it suggests a fragrance that’s bold without being heavy, and expressive without losing sophistication. I’d love to try Peacock Blue Dawn!
    Cheers from WI, USA

  • foreverscents says:

    I am always intrigued to read about the latest of Dawn’s fragrances and the latest source of her inspiration. Peacocks are such dazzling creatures, and, no doubt, Peacock Blue will be a dazzling fragrance. I have never smelled blue lotus absolute, so I am very much looking forward to experiencing this note. That there are six kinds of ouds in Peacock Blue just confirms the breadth of Dawn’s fragrant palette.
    Today my favorite DSH perfume is Cathedral. Tomorrow will probably be Sweet Dreams. The next day maybe Partners in Crime….I own many DSH fragrances and love ALL of them.
    I live in the USA.

  • James2473 says:

    I LOVE Oud! This one sounds heavenly! I haven’t sampled any of DSH’s offerings but when I do this one will on the top of my list. I’m located in MS, USA.