Hiram Green Slowdive Perfume Review (2017) + Solstice Draw

Rachel Goswell of Slowdive

My sample of Hiram Green Slowdive arrived late last week; I felt intoxicated by its beauty and very thankful. Only a full heart could be capable of composing such a lush and loving fragrance, bursting with abundance. As we approach the Winter Solstice, Hiram Green Slowdive glows with flickering embers alight in the midst of darkness, a fragrance brimming with generosity and goodwill.

Perfumer Hiram Green

Perfumer Hiram Green has offered us four exquisite natural perfumes prior to Slowdive, each unique and full-bodied. He’s channeled Lorca in Arbolé Arbolé (one of my favorite Lorca poems!), the lusciousness of orange blossom in Dilettante, indolic tropical reverie in Moon Bloom, the mythical chypre of Shangri-La. Now it is tobacco’s time…

Botanical print of Tobacco flowers digitalized MC

Hiram Green Slowdive solstice sojourn commences with the dazzling brilliance of juicy orange and indolic blossom trailed by coumarinic, haylike tones of tobacco flower: it’s tender and zesty at once, possessed of a juiciness which soon takes a turn towards a drier sweetness. Enter that complex animalic, beeswax – a solid which surprises and reveals secrets best in dilution, as do many fragrant materials. We frequently assume that honeyed means sugared, but they are olfactory miles apart – the former inferring multi-tiered nuances rather than the mere sweetness of the latter.

Alexander McQueen Fashion Editorial fused  with tuberose by Michelyn

 Beeswax and tuberose are a lovematch. Both murmur of the animal nature of flower and pollen; their combined dreamy, velvety presence is lustrous. A davana-like booziness which echoes the voluptuous nature of dried fruit is actually “a note shaped from the mixture of tobacco and beeswax absolute”, according to Hiram. This cornucopia of aromatics crowns a deeply resinous base which calls to mind such resins as tolu, tonka, benzoin, labdanum. Hiram Green informs me that he has engaged many flower absolutes in addition to labdanum; it’s not fair for me to badger him further, even though I’m insatiably curious. Hiram Green Slowdive is deliciousness itself.

Photo via Hiram Green

Hiram Green Slowdive radiates a gentle benevolence and warmth – whether you are experiencing the Southern Hemisphere season or our current wintry North. In this way it is a seasonless perfume suited to the amiable and welcoming spirit, a gracious reminder that it is always the season for kindness and beauty. Notes: neroli, orange flower, tobacco blossom, beeswax, tuberose, dried fruits, honeyed resins

Sample kindly provided by Ann Onusko of Indigo Perfumery – thank you, Ann! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor

~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Note: “Slowdive is also the name of a British “dream pop” ambient rock group, from 1989-1995. However Hiram named his perfume Slowdive as a poetic descriptive for such a romantic fragrance; you’ll find me in hearty agreement.” Hiram took his time and although Slowdive debuted in December, we think it is worth the wait. He would not release it until he felt it was perfect.

Thanks to the generosity of Hiram Green, we have a 10 ml travel spray of Slowdive for 1 registered reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Slowdive based upon Ida’s review, where you live and your favorite Hiram Green Perfume or  what fills you with goodwill this season. Draw closes 12/22/2017

Follow us on Instagram @hiram_green  @cafleurebon @indigoperfumery

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

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46 comments

  • MMKinPA says:

    Always the season for kindness and beauty. This perfume sounds magnificent – tobacco and beeswax! I love Arbole Arbole but have also sampled Dilettante which is equally beautiful. What a generous draw. I am in the US.

  • dx says:

    i like the name of the perfume. haven’t had the chance to test any perfumes from this house. i live in EU. good people around fills me with goodwill.

  • Maya says:

    Ida’s review is lovely and I am curious about the tobacco element in Slowdive. The most important thing to me is that it’s by Hiram Green. I adore ALL his work. It is exquisite. My two favorites are Voyage and Moon Bloom. My daughter loves Dilettante. The timing of this post surprised me. Earlier today I was checking out perfume stores online and Indigo was the only US one that already had Slowdive. I live in the US.

  • Rae Lynn says:

    Ida’s description of the interplay of tobacco and beeswax absolute sounds so comforting. Then, the addition of the flowers-tuberose and neroli add to the complexity. I live in the US.

  • Sara says:

    I loved Ida’s portrayal of the notes’ choreography. I am also a huge fan of Hiram Green and the band Slowdive, who just released a recording after a20 year hiatus. My favorite Hiram Green is Voyage and I live in the United States. Thank you.

  • Richard Potter says:

    I am so excited about this one. I have and love all of Hiram’s gems. So anxious to try this one, probably a blind buy. Happy Holidays, Dear Ida.❤️

  • minorlionz says:

    My favourite part of this review were the images – so evocative! I live in Montreal and my favourite Hiram Green perfume is Moon Bloom, of which I have a small decant I reserve for summer nights.

  • Gigigirl says:

    I’m on the edge of my seat to try this. I am a fan of all the Hiram Green offerings so far, I have all of them except Slowdive and was giddy to hear of this new release. I’m in Canada.

  • Melvin Lim says:

    Loving the fact that there is another HG tuberose, and with a different slant (of tobacco and beeswax) this time. My favorite is Moon Bloom. I live in Singapore

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Everything about this sounds sticky, delicious, and comforting! I love how Ida describes it as “gentle benevolence” and indicates it’s seeming versatility and transcendence of season and weather. I also am thrilled to hear of the pairing of Tuberose and beeswax, especially after loving HG’s other tuberose! Moon Bloom and Shangri-La are my favorites. Thanks so much for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • Ann says:

    We had the pleasure last November to visit Hiram at his studio in Gouda, the Netherlands. To meet Hiram is to understand his perfumes. He is a bit shy, totally in love with what he does, quietly creative and patient. His humble demeanor catches you off-guard.
    The only thing missing is how I would like to really introduce Slowdive- I need a recording of a very deep baritone slowly saying S-L-O-W-D-I-V-E. I’ll figure out how to do it…

  • Tami H. says:

    Fabulous review! My favorite part
    Hiram Green Slowdive radiates a gentle benevolence and warmth – whether you are experiencing the Southern Hemisphere season or our current wintry North. In this way it is a seasonless perfume suited to the amiable and welcoming spirit, a gracious reminder that it is always the season for kindness and beauty. Notes: neroli, orange flower, tobacco blossom, beeswax, tuberose, dried fruits, honeyed resins
    I live in the U.S. Thank you for the generous giveaway. My favorite Hiram Green is Moon Bloom.

  • NiceVULady says:

    I really like the combination of tobacco and beeswax. Lovely review. I liked Arbole Arbole. I live in the USA. Happy Holidays

  • Gay says:

    Thank you Hiram Green & Cafleurebon for the chance to sample Slowdive. There is so much to love about this perfume for me.
    Reading Ida’s words I felt I could almost smell it in room.
    Radom acts of kindness always fill me gratitude & goodwill.
    Australia

  • Alen says:

    This one sounds very good and i am especially intrigued by the tobacco blossom and honeyed resins. I have never heard about this house and i would be really glad to win this. I live in the EU, thanks for the chance.

  • Frédéric says:

    Honey and resins…all that I love in a perfume.
    I’m looking forward to try this one.
    EU (Belgium)

  • Ariane says:

    Reading Ida’s words makes me want to blind buy this- and I must say, the photo with the diver is stunning, congratulations on the design of that, iconic!Now, desperate to try the juice!I live in the UK, thanks for the draw!

  • Carol K says:

    I love Moon Bloom and Shangr- La. But, I also like tobacco blossom, beeswax/honey scents so I’d love to try this. Thank you for the great review!

  • Queen Cupcake says:

    I am simply mad for tobacco flower (nicotiana)! and intrigued by the complexity of honey–something I have avoided heretofore. I live in Massachusetts, where I am lucky enough to have met Ida Meister a few times! My heart is warmed by her goodness and her writing. Slowdive–what a beautiful name for a fragrance! I feel the goodwill of the perfumista community and hope to pass it along.

  • Dawn Crawford says:

    I live in the U.S. My fave so far by Hiram Green is Arbole Arbole. Slowdive had me at tobacco flower,

  • yukon1 says:

    Hi thnx for giveaway ….Unfortunately i am a hiram green virgin havent tried any yet so of course i’d love to sample this.Of course when the article went on about rich resins the drool was hard to hold back but I managed to keep it classy,barely!Anyway Im in canada where we need warm rich fragrances for the winter especially in northern yukon and alaska where my time is split.

    Again thnx for giveaway .

    Canada

  • Timea says:

    My family fills me with goodwill. I have never had a chance to try any of Hiram Green perfume. Slowdive sounds amazingly based of the review. I would very like to try it. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • kaitracid says:

    I so wanted to try his line, but I still didn’t got the chance to do it.
    In Slowdive the tobacco flower mixed with beswax and tuberose with slight animalic feel does sound pretty good for me. Would like to try this one, I am in the EU.

  • Haru says:

    I love tuberose, I really liked Full Bloom, and very curious about this house, few releases but good quality, I like to try the tobacco tuberose combo, I don’t know many tobacco scents, so, would be beautiful to win.
    Thank you, I live in Spain.

  • Lord Kelwynne says:

    This may be perfection, with the melange of tobacco flower and beeswax, two of my favored scents. I have not yet encountered any of Hiram Green’s work but certainly will after reading this review. I am filled with good will by the generosity of my friends, hosting and welcoming me into their homes unendlessly. I live in Pennsylvania and would love to sample this and share it with fragrance circle.

  • Anna Egeria says:

    A perfume with neroli, orange blossoms, tuberose and tobacco blossom with beeswax must be fabulous. I love Moon Bloom.
    I’m in the US and thank you for the draw.

  • peppermoon says:

    So many of my favorite notes packed into one perfume!!! I loved Hiram’s soft focus in Shangri La (reminiscent of Mitsouko), so I’m sure I’d love this new one.

  • psebi101 says:

    I like the smell of tobacco flower and paired with animalic notes and also being dreamy and velvety with a resinous base, I think it’s something worthy of trying. I live In Europe and I would like to win a 10ml bottle of Slowdive.

  • Carol Webb says:

    I was hooked by this sentence: Only a full heart could be capable of composing such a lush and loving fragrance, bursting with abundance.

    Orange flower and tuberose are favorites of mine, and I’m finding that I really like a tobacco note as well. I never would have believed that a couple years ago.

    I live in the US. I haven’t sampled any Hiram Green perfume yet. What is filling me with joy this season is my happy, healthy family, and planning to spend time together this Christmas season.

    Thank you for this very generous draw.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I like the sound of beeswax, honeyed resins and dried fruits with the tobacco flower! This seems like a swoon-worthy winter perfume. Lush and comforting. I haven’t sample any Hiram Green perfume yet, but what fills me with joy is singing the songs and hymns of the season. Thank you for this generous draw and review! I’m in the USA.

  • always says:

    the coumarinic tobacco fascinates me, and living in wisconsin and recently listening to the tribal histories series, i think it is wonderfiul to honor the tobacco plant like this. this would probably be my favorite hiram green perfume. the crunchy snow and the warmth of the home fills me with goodwill!

  • fazalcheema says:

    This looks classic in feel and has notes I enjoy such as labdanum. In addition, Hiram has used other flower absolutes, too that he has not disclosed. Even looking at the bottle it looks rich composition. My favorite from Hiram which I also own and was limited edition is Voyage. I am in US

  • steve.khoo says:

    A seasonless, all natural blend of tobacco, white florals and beeswax really does sound inviting and gently benevolent. Your review captures an essence laidback warmth and elegance that I’m so keen to check out.

    I love Hiram Green’s fragrances… such honest, thoughtful and purposeful perfume. Moon Bloom is my favourite and the only bottle I own so far but I’m also looking to purchase Dilettante and am very excited to try this new release.

    Great review and thanks for the giveaway! I’m in Sydney, Australia.

  • esz says:

    I love the look of all of the Hiram Green fragrances – they sound divine! Slow Dive sounds languid and lush. Would love to win!

    I am in Melbourne, Australia 🙂

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    The perfumes of Hiram Green are incredivble, Slowdive I don’t know yet but I am looking Forward to tray it.

    Thanks for the draw, I llive in the EU.

  • tiffanie says:

    I agree with Ida that honeyed does not mean sugared. I have always shied away from caramel sweetness in fragrance, while honey has a magnetic pull on my sense of smell. I adore it. And tuberose, it is so beautiful, I am in the midst of a love affair with tuberose scents.

    Slowdive sounds thoughtfully created and full of promise. I am in the US and have enjoyed wearing Voyage from Hiram Green. Thank you to Ida for the compelling review and to CaFleureBon and Hiram Green for the generous draw. Happy holidays to everyone.

  • Ginny M says:

    Ida makes everything she writes about sound utterly magical, but mmmmm…honeyed resins! I’ve never experienced any Hiram Green frags, but Slowdive sound like it would be an amazing first! I live in the U.S.

  • Mujo says:

    “Slowdive glows with flickering embers alight in the midst of darkness, a fragrance brimming with generosity and goodwill” sound absolutely wonderful. I’m in the Netherlands. My favorite is Moon Bloom.

  • Gypsy Parfumista says:

    What appealed to me most from Ida’s review about this perfume was how sensual it felt. I swear I sniffed a hint of resinous flowers and beeswax while reading it!

    Slowdive is also a song from the British post-punk Goth pioneer ensemble of Siouxsie & the Banshees from my personal favorite album 1982’s “A Kiss in the Dreamhouse”-a wonderfully playful yet darkly beautiful psychedelic carnival for the senses. I wondered when I read the PR…is Hiram a Sioux fan? Judging from the delightful sounds Siouxsie emits during this song with lyrics like:

    “…and you revel in the dips when your back slips
    take honeysuckle sips from my rolling hips,
    it shifts…it shifts
    When you come alive
    Boy it’s a long drive…to the SLOWDIVE!”
    -Siouxsie Sioux

    I am a US reader.

    My favorite is his first MOONBLOOM which is (sad to say) the only HG I have had the pleasure to wear or try. Winning this would be a Yuletide blessing for sure! 🙂

    What fills me with goodwill this season? Knowing that their are still true natural perfume artists out there who create olfactory wonders and that I am part of the fragrant online community and have access to information and such generous websites as this which always enlighten and help this gypsy on a shoestring budget and guide me through the plethora of perfumes released today!

    Brightest of solstice blessings to one and all!
    GP xox

  • Amy Maloney says:

    A fragrance brimming with generosity and goodwill. That’s something that no one could turn down! Especially with the image of tuberose, beeswax, and tobacco in mind. I have and love Moon Bloom and have tried and like Dillettante. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • andrei.np says:

    This fragrance actually brings together some of my favourite notes tobacco, tuberose and beeswax. It’d be interesting t see them blended into 1 fragrance as I don’t know of any other that has all of them.

    The most treasured aspect of the holidays is going back to my parents’ house, eating homemade recipes by my mother, decorating the Christmas tree. It’s a throwback t my childhood which I consider is the best part of anyone’s life (as long as one is fortunate enough to not live in extreme conditions, which I know some do 🙁 ).

    Thanks for the giveaway. I live in Romania (EU).

  • femmelady says:

    I love honeyed perfumes so I can’t wait to sample this! I live in Missouri. Last year I bought a bottle of Moon Bloom to wear at my garden party, which featured my night blooming moonflowers! I love the artistry of Hiram Green!

  • Stacey W says:

    Ida had me at “a davana like booziness”…I’m a huge Hiram Green fan girl and my favorite of his previous releases is Shangri-La. I’m in the US and am very excited about the draw!

  • rodelinda says:

    Beeswax and tuberose are a lovematch, plus a deeply resinous base? Sounds like heaven to me. My favorite Hiram Green fragrance is Moon Bloom, but I’ve liked all the ones I’ve sampled. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • valerielee says:

    The way Ida reveals the perfumer, fragrance, and her knowledge is poetic & powerful throughout the review. only a full heart could be capable of ……..Enter that complex animalic, beeswax – a solid which surprises and reveals secrets best in dilution, as do many fragrant materials. We frequently assume that honeyed means sugared, but they are olfactory miles apart – the former inferring multi-tiered nuances rather than the mere sweetness of the latter.