On May 26th, Memorial Day, NYC-based perfumery Bond No.9 will release Shelter Island , fully perfuming Long Island’s east end locales. After The Hamptons (2005), Montauk (2010) and Sag Harbor (2012), creative director Laurice Rahmé stays true to the company’s mission statement of scenting the five boroughs and beyond. Inspired by historic Shelter Island, located between the North and South peninsulas of eastern Long Island, this perfume’s release date is the symbolic beginning of the summer beach season. Bond No.9 created an unusual composition by introducing oud into a unique marine eau de parfum fit for summer wear by all, with the relaxed comfort of its namesake.
"Crab Creek Sunset, Shelter Island" by Ramiro Sanchez
Both the scent and the island are aptly named. The island’s geography, surrounded by water and protected by sounds on three sides and Gardiner’s Bay on the fourth, makes it an ideal escape. Shelter Island perfume stands like a welcome island in a sea of calone-drenched aquatics. Citrus and black pepper lend the olfactory impression of warm rays and winds heavy with the briny aroma of maritime air. Algae’s vegetal aroma are present, as tides recede, lending an unusually refreshing quality to wild lilies growing on the shore. Shaken by wave and wind and sprayed with salty mist, adding a floralcy to the scented beachscape. A barefoot walk through warm sand is evoked by a restrained accord of amber, myrrh and sandalwood. The judicious use of oud by Perfumer Laurent LeGuernec calls to mind charred driftwood, augmenting its overall aura without distracting.
"Ocean Crescent Moon" by Casey Chalem Anderson
Just as the beach experience is much more than water, a good beach perfume should include more than aquatic notes. Bond No.9 takes the scents and sense of the beach to a new level in the latest NY Beaches offering. Wearing and projecting perfectly, this seemingly incongruous set of aromas weaves itself together with the airy comfort and strength of a mesh hammock, as its scent supports with balmy base notes while letting you float and relax in its firm buoyant embrace. Without withering or overpowering, this hummed softly from noon until sunset making it a perfect choice for outings on longer warmer days. Sillage: average to close. Longevity: good.
Notes: Citrus zests, black pepper, white lilies, algae extract, sandalwood, amber myrrh, musk & oud.
Disclosure: Review based on press sample sent to me by Bond No.9. Shelter Island will be available in 50 and 100 ml EDP on counters May 26, 2014 and can be pre-ordered online.
John Reasinger, Senior Editor and Natural Perfume Editor.
Thanks to the kindness of Laurice Rahmé and Bond No.9 we have a great opportunity to preview Shelter Island with a bonbon to giveaway to one US reader. To be eligible leave a comment stating you’re in the US, your favorite Bond No.9 scent, or favorite beach escape. Draw will end May 6, 2014.
We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.