For the Scent of It Grand Soleil (Michael Schrammel) 2023 + Feels Like Summer Giveaway

For the Scent of It Grand Soleil

For the Scent of It Grand Soleil Grand Soleil bottle, Photo by Michael Devine

“I know that if odor were visible, as color is, I’d see the summer garden in rainbow clouds.” – Robert Bridges

It’s no secret that Michael Schrammel is revered as a rising rockstar by the team here at ÇaFleureBon and also a colleague with his ÇaFleureBon Notes From the Lab Column. Where noses in-the-know once whispered about this upcoming indie perfumer, we are now shouting his praises as each new release becomes a new favorite. As the flowers of spring lean toward a sun made brighter by the promise of summer, a new fragrance fills the air (and fills my online shopping cart).  For the Scent of It Grand Soleil is the latest perfume from the nose, mind and imagination of Michael Schrammel and I am here for it. Mind you, as this scent is so utterly transportive, I’m no longer sure where “here” is.

Michael Schrammel For The Scent of It

 Michael Schrammel, Photo Courtesy Michael Schrammel

According to Mr. Schrammel, as expressed on his website, For the Scent of It, Grand Soleil was inspired by his vision of “a hidden garden oasis tucked high in the mountains. So close to the sun, it would be hard to tell if this oasis was on earth or in the heavens. ”Inspired by ingredients he found both grounding and euphoric, he wanted Grand Soleil to be “the most captivating summer fragrance” he ever smelled.

Best summer perfumes

Flowers of Jasmine, Marianne North, 1873, Public Domain

The opening of For the Scent of It Grand Soleil is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and uplifting I’ve ever experienced. The top and heart notes call to mind what poet Robert Bridges muses “a summer garden in rainbow clouds.” From a billowy musk emerges a sparkling yellow lemon that would put a smile on a sourpuss and a fantasy “orange blossom water” note that’s simultaneously ultra-realistic and illusory. Red goji berries add a tart sweetness and when paired with purple shiso leaf, a unique and curious fusion. If by now you haven’t reached aromatic ecstasy, just wait for the jasmine note. Ah, there it is. At this point you’ll likely realize you’ve been overpaying your therapist.

What do rainbows smell like

Evening Shadows, Konstantin Somov, 1917, public domain

The rainbow touches town in a grassy field of vetiver, further grounded by hinoki wood and mastic. In the base, amber and sacred frankincense further the spiritual connection, providing balance to more than just the composition. Grand Soleil is quite an accomplishment; the execution exceeds the potential of an already-intriguing brief. What could just have been a fleeting summer pick-me-up spritz is actually a full-bodied, fully-realized composition crafted with more than just love. This takes skill. Last year, my olfactive summer soundtrack had Michael’s Black Sails on replay. I’ll be spending this summer under a Grand Soleil.

Grand Soleil is a perfectly genderless eau de parfum with excellent longevity and projection; each of my wearings has lasted over 8+ hours on my skin.

Top Notes: Lemon, Bergamot, Goji Berry, Shiso Leaf, Heart Notes: Jasmine, Iris, Orange Blossom Water, Hinoki, Mastic; Base Notes: Vetiver, Amber, Sacred Frankincense, Musk

Disclosure: This review is based on a bottle of Grand Soleil purchased by the author.

Michael Devine, Senior Contributor

For The Scent of It Grand Soleil

Grand Soleil, Photo Courtesy For the Scent of It

Thanks to the generosity of Michael Schrammel, we have a full bottle (30 ml) of Grand Soleil to give away to one lucky registered reader in the U.S. or Canada only. To be eligible, please leave a comment indicating what intrigues you about Grand Soleil. Please also note your location (US or Canada). Draw closes  5/6//2023.

Check out the entire line and support indie perfumery at For the Scent of It

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurbonofficial @forthescentofit @fragrance_detective

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32 comments

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    This captivating fragrance with excellent projection and longevity sounds like it should be a wonderful fragrance for both myself and my wife to enjoy. I live in Maryland USA.

  • johnmadison says:

    Oh my goodness, For the Scent of It: Grand Soleil just gave me a boost of serotonin by reading this review. It really does sound like Michael Schrammel created a masterpiece by somehow capturing a rainbow in a bottle, or at least what I would imagine a rainbow would smell like. The notes in this one sound so euphoric and I would love so much to see where those notes take my nose, to a place in the clouds, to a garden in the mountain tops, then finally to the grassy fields of vetiver and woods of hinoki.
    I know just by what I’ve read that I would be grabbing for this bottle daily all Summer long if it were in my possession.
    And a potential of 8+ hours on the skin? Bliss!
    Bravo, Michael!
    John – Minnesota, USA

  • Arron_Q says:

    I have tried just about everything from Michael’s line and he has some real beauties in there. He most definitely deserves the hype that is starting to build around his house. This one sounds like it will be right at home with his other fragrances. Michael does interesting summer/fresh scents that buck trends and never fall in line with expectations. This seems to be the case with Grand Soleil as well. I’m intrigued by the goji berry and shiso leaf as I don’t think I’ve ever experienced those notes before. I’d love to have this one on my shelf next to my other faves: Blackwood Sun, Wasteland Warrior, and Black Sails. I live in NC, USA.

  • joshuabrian says:

    This sounds great! Sounds like it smelly really rich. Would love to get a sniff. Thanks for the opportunity. From USA.

  • cnii says:

    I have not smelled any For the Scent of It fragrances, but I remember reading a profile of this perfumer and finding his path to perfumer very interesting. And Grand Soleil sounds wonderful! Classic summer citrus with some not-so-classic notes like like Goji berry and shiso? Sign me up!
    I’m in WV, USA

  • TravisO says:

    Great job Mike and Mike. The review sounds excellent and the fragrance is something I want.

    Michael smells a lot of fragrances and if this is the most vibrant opening than that must be saying something.

    Thanks from the USA

  • John Michael Jones says:

    What i find intriguing is Michael 110%! The fact he’s accomplished so much at such a young age tells me “rising Rockstar” might just be an understatement! I’m keeping my eye on this perfumer. But for now, time to get the ol’ snot locker on every single one of his creations!

  • JulieeCee says:

    Everything Michael writes and quotes about Grand Soleil makes me believe this is a magic potion of summer euphoria in a bottle. I think I need it! 🙂
    In the U.S.

  • Rory says:

    What frag enthusiast wouldn’t find this line from the review completely riveting: “At this point you’ll likely realize you’ve been overpaying your therapist.” I’d love to win a bottle of this but even if I don’t, I suspect I’ll be sampling it when that’s an option. Thanks!

  • Steve A says:

    I was intrigued by the reviewer’s line of, “The opening of For the Scent of It Grand Soleil is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and uplifting I’ve ever experienced.”. US

  • LovelyMouse says:

    What intrigues me about Grand Soleil is the description of its vibrant and uplifting opening, a unique and curious fusion of red goji berries and purple shiso leaf, and a spiritual connection in the base with amber and sacred frankincense. The fragrance seems genderless with excellent longevity and projection.
    I am from EU, but I am very interested in this perfume

  • soviz says:

    I am really intrigued by the goji berry & shiso notes and how they interact with the floral and citrus notes that we’d more commonly associate with summer! I live in New York, USA. Thank you!

  • Torax says:

    Great review by Michael.
    I think that For the Scent of It made a great fragrance in Grand Soleil. I find it very interesting with the it was inspired by a hidden Oasis in the Mountains, just wow.
    I also love that it has pleasent citrus notes, with the power of musk and vetivera, just amazing.
    USA here.

  • drjedi says:

    Not familiar with goji note in a perfume, but it sounds interesting. All other notes are lovely and For the Scent of It Grand Soleil seems to be a perfect summer perfume. The base notes add depth to a summer perfume, which could otherwise be a light floral perfume. Also intrigued by shiso leaf note, which I am not familiar with. Thanks for the review and draw. From continental United States.

  • RonaldProkes17 says:

    This sounds incredible! I love how the florals in this scent are used and For The Scent of it is really showing their versatility here. Really exceptional! I have never heard of goji berries being used in a perfume, but it sounds so well done here. I also love the use of Jasmin paired with hinoki wood – two of my all time favorite notes!

    California, USA.

  • Trinity33 says:

    Most summer specific fragrances I’ve encountered are redolent with beachy notes, tropical flowers and often coconut. I like the idea of a perfect summer fragrance that transports you to a high mountain retreat where the air might be cooler but the sun is still bright. I see several Japanese inspired notes in Grand Soleil which I appreciate in a fragrance that seems to have a spiritual connection, This sounds wonderful. MD, USA.

  • kusudamakitten98 says:

    Grand Soleil sounds like the perfect summer fragrance! I liked the comment that it smells like “a summer garden in rainbow clouds” and I would love the opportunity to experiencing this joyful perfume myself.

    From NJ, USA

  • aud604 says:

    This sounds like a great fragrance to lose yourself in. Transportative! I am brought to mind of Cherry Blossoms in Japan since several notes seem to invoke that imagery.
    I can’t say I’ve know what goji berry smells of!
    Thank you for the draw. From Canada.

  • Gnossiennes says:

    Thanks for the lovely review, Michael.
    I read Mr. Michael Schrammel’s writing days ago here, and really loved his philosophy. With this diverse composition, Grand Soleil sounds really promisiong. (btw I have only encountered dried goji berries before; look forwards to its usage in perfumery!)
    Greetings from San Mateo, California.

  • Anna H says:

    I find it funny that Grand Soleil smells of goji berries. My husband got a goji berry flavored drink yesterday, having never heard of them before. I’ve eaten dried goji berries a handful of times but would love to see what this fragrance is like. It does sound like the perfect summer fragrance!
    Indiana, USA

  • amanna says:

    Grand Soleil sounds like a breath of summer in a bottle! I’ve yet to try any For the Scent of It perfumes but based on how frequently Michael’s perfumes have been praised here that seems like an oversight. Peekaboo jasmine through bright citrus and shiso on a base of vetiver, resins, and musks – sounds like a beautiful composition that captures not only the brightness of summer but also the sweetness and florals!

    Best wishes from the US.

  • mmerline says:

    DSH Wasabi Shiso is one of my favorite fresh perfumes, so I’m always interested in other fragrances that utilize Shiso Leaf. Grand Soleil uses that note in a totally different way, combining it with a wider range of notes in a sunny floral motif. Thanks for the review Michael—based on your description, I’m going to pay attention to the drydown in the base notes when I try this one.

    I’m in the midwest, USA.

  • Oscar Jimenez says:

    I have all the collection of FTSOI …its an honor having his fragrances. All of them is wonderful and amazing. Grand Soliel will be special to have. Im from Hyattsville MD USA!

  • jojosi3 says:

    I think what interests me about Grand Soleil are some of the notes included. I am particularly interested in the blend including goji berries, hinoki, iris and frankincense – that is super enticing and I am curious to know what those notes would smell like in this fragrance.
    Thank you for doing the giveaway. I am in Canada

  • Caliwas says:

    What intrigued me about Grand Soleil is the description of a spiritual connection with the sacred frankincense as the note in the base. This fragrance sounds like a paradise “summer garden in rainbow clouds” to bring a peace and happiness to the wearer. Simply a beautiful majestic and magical fragrance in all aspects of its scent profile. Thanks for the opportunity. Greetings from the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the review Michael.

    I’m glad that a local perfumer is being highlighted. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Schrammel’s notes, in particular on Orange and Vanilla.

    This fragrance is so intriguing because of the juxtaposition of real and imagined notes. I find the creative license that perfumers use to compose imaginary notes and accords quite fascinating and I look forward particularly to the bright lemon notes, shiso and goji berry notes.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Michael Prince says:

    What interests me about Grand Soleil is vibrant, fresh, and carefree scent profile. Michael Devine has described this amazing fragrance created by Michael Schrammel in perfect detail. I would love to try this. I am from the USA.

  • foreverscents says:

    Grand Soleil sounds like the perfect fragrance to welcome the summer, to welcome better days, brighter days. I love that this fragrance has shiso. Shiso is such a vibrant note. I’m sure it blends well with the lemon, goji berry, and vetiver.
    I live in MA, USA.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I would love to try a fragrance made by Michael Schrammel, and “Grand Soleil” sounds like something I might like. I would like to add it to my collection because it has a lot of notes I can like (e.g. frankincense) and because it seems to have good overall performance. I’m intrigued to try it when Michael Devine says of the opening of “Grand Soleil”: “is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and uplifting I’ve ever experienced.” I live in the U.S.A.

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Great review Michael! What intrigues me about Grand Soleil is the compelling use of red goji berries as a note, adding tart sweetness, paired with purple shiso leaf. I love red goji berries as a food and as a dietary supplement and great source of nutrition, but I have never encountered it in a fragrance, let alone paired with the equally rare purple shiso leaf. It definitely makes me very eager to try Grand Soleil! I live in the US.