Ormonde Jayne Bukhara, image via the brand

The Ormonde Jayne La Route de La Soie collection is a captivating gateway into the world of niche perfumery, offering a sensory exploration of cultures that once flourished along the ancient Silk Road. Drawing inspiration from the rich diversity born of human connection and exchange, this collection born from Linda Pilkington’s (perfumer and Creative Director) love of travel, celebrates the exotic flora that adorned the opium trade routes, spanning from Asia across vast deserts and over majestic mountains to the West. The perfumes in this line are a tribute to the wild-growing native flowers, herbs, and spice trees that thrived in these varied landscapes and, much like the merchants who once traversed the Silk Road, Ormonde Jayne introduces an array of vibrant rare and precious notes (Persian rose, rhubarb, Armenian plums,  nutmeg, Indian sandalwood – to mention but a few).

La Route de la Soie, official image via Ormonde Jayne

 “A thousand years ago, the vast trade paths from Peking to Paris carried more than just silk and precious commodities. Ideas, cultures, and beliefs were shared across continents for the first time: from alcoholic drinks to the number zero  – as well as science, art, and literature. The Silk Road became a route of dialogue, diversity, and understanding.”- a note from the brand.

Enter the new two olfactive destinations. Kashmir is an epic Fougère with a lyrical heart summoning a strong woody aura with a creamy sandalwood base – a serene experience that I will save up to savor during in the cooler part of this autumn. The second one is the one we will focus on today – the wild untamed beauty of Ormonde Jayne Bukhara.

Bukhara, Uzbekistan wiki image, fairuse  

 When you hear the word Bukhara, it brings to mind images of far-off places filled with history, mystery, and ancient traditions – thoughts of old-world whispers and distant lands where centuries of stories are woven into the fabric of everyday life. The area surrounding Bukhara has been continuously inhabited for over five thousand years, with the city itself standing for at least half that time. Thanks to its strategic location along the ancient Silk Road, it was a vital crossroads for traders, scholars, and travelers journeying between East and West, bringing together goods, knowledge, and traditions from afar. Over the centuries, Bukhara grew into a melting pot where diverse influences merged, with Persian, Turkic, Mizrahi and Islamic influences adding new shades to the rich tapestry of culture. For me, the sheer musicality of the name Bukhara /bʊˈxɑːrə carries a certain mysterious resonance, as if I am on the brink of a half-forgotten memory. Its musicality makes my hands feel the smoothness of handwoven silk rugs, and I can almost smell the rich, heady scent of spices in the air and behind closed eyes, I see the golden light of the setting sun reflecting off the city’s magnificent architecture.

AI mood image, made by Nicoleta

 A ripe peach rolls lazily to the side of the colorful carpet, and the air fills with a sudden burst of youthful laughter. Silver cups are raised, the clink of teeth against metal as sweet nectar flows, while the music begins, picking up tempo with every note. The atmosphere thickens with anticipation. Veils of opulent silks swirl through the air, dancing in the golden light as the dancers glide into the room. Eyes meet, full of promises and untold stories. In that moment, Ormonde Jayne Bukhara truly comes to life.

Ormonde Jayne Bukhara, image via the brand

A fresh and youthful opening of succulent peach and mouthwatering blackcurrant, veiled in amber immediately grabs attention, feeling both familiar and irresistibly inviting. It’s like the first few chords of an exotic song that, though new, is so harmonious you’ll be humming along to its chorus in no time. This playful, vibrant introduction sets the stage for the layers that follow, gradually unfolding into an intoxicating, warm bouquet of white flowers composed of tuberose, jasmine, and honeyed orange blossom. Feminine, sensual, and sweet as sin, this heart is as indulgent as it is decadent, wrapping the wearer in a seductive floral embrace that is hard to let go. The drydown unfurls gracefully, with the presence of orris butter and sandalwood – lending the fragrance a refined, smooth structure, and taking us on a more aristocratic, timeless path. The base is a combo of vanilla, amber, and oud, anchoring the fragrance firmly into the present day, and giving it depth, strength, and longevity. Just like a dancer stepping out of a time machine, with a final, effortless twirl, the scent leaves a soft trace of warmth and intrigue, leaving you with the sensation of having experienced something both familiar and irresistibly addictive.

 

RINA NIKOVA ballet, wiki photo

Ormonde Jayne Bukhara is a lively fruity floral with an ancient woody soul – exquisite, sensual, and indulgent – made for those who crave timeless elegance wrapped in the high vibration of the present. And I can’t wait to see where Linda will take us, in the next episode of La Route de la Soie.

Head: Bergamot, Peach, Blackcurrant; Heart: Tuberose, Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac; Soul: Sandalwood, White Cedarwood, Vanilla, Oudh, Dry Amber

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

Disclosure: 10ml travels of Ormonde Jayne Bukhara & Kashmir were kindly offered by the brand, opinions are -always- my own.

Please see our reviews of Tanger by Nicoleta,  Karl’s reviews of Xi’an, Vanille des Afriques  Montabaco, and Verano, Levant was reviewed  by Olya.

Ormonde Jayne Bukhara

 Thanks to the generosity of Ormonde Jayne we have a 88ml bottle of Ormonde Jayne Bukhara for one registered reader in the  USA/Canada or UK/EU. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Nicoleta’s review and where you live. Draw closes 10/5/2024 There is one winner

Linda Pilkington 

Editors Note:  Please read more about Linda Pilkington in our Creative Directors series.

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