Perfumology Sudu Te Fragrance Review (Justin Frederico) 2021 + Sri Lanka Travelogue Draw

 

Perfumology Sude te

Perfumology Sudu Te courtesy of Perfumology©

Creative Director Nir Guy and Justin Frederico of Perfumology have recently released their fifth fragrance for the brand: Perfumology Sudu Te. Each of their fragrances relates a specific narrative: in Blyss, a wine-and-roses billet-doux to Nir’s wife Lyssa; with Grange, the evocation of childhood memory in a sylvan setting; Clutch celebrated the joys of the autumnal open road driving a stick shift; L’Ima, an homage to Nir’s mother Avital Guy and her garden. Perfumology Sudu Te (“white tea” in Sinhalese) is a fond travelogue which honors the fragrant island of Sri Lanka, to which Nir’s mother, Avital paid an unforgettable visit; she brought home some of its delicate white tea as a treasured aromatic souvenir – and each of her scent memories wended its way into Perfumology’s latest creation. It is safe to say that each element in the composition of  Sudu Te is one which thrives naturally in situ – generating a photorealistic olfactory journey.

Tea bushes lining the mountains in Sri Lanka inspired Perfumology Su de te

Tea bushes lining the mountains in Sri Lanka inspired Perfumology Su de Te photo by Avital Guy©

Nir refers to the famed Spice Island Sri Lanka as “a perfumista’s dream”. It surely is that, judging by their perfume, which encompasses a cornucopia overflowing with native spices, fruit and tropical blossoms. Before the 1500s, Arabian traders controlled the flow of spice from The Pearl of the Indian Ocean; travelers such as Marco Polo (1254-1324) described the courses of spice trade via The Silk Route East, The Sea Route and The Cinnamon Route. The most likely official date of discovery is the year 1505, when Portuguese admiral Lorenzo De Almeida’s ship was swept up in a monsoon which deposited him upon the south coast of Ceylon; there he came upon true cinnamon (quite by happenstance). The rest is history.

white tea from Sri Lanka

White tea used in Perfumology Sudu Te by Avital Guy©

The incomparable white tea for which Sri Lanka is renowned is costly, as it grows solely in the mountains and must be harvested by hand during a very brief season, using great care not to injure the tender slightly curved tea buds adorned with downy silvery or golden hair. The tiny leaves are reported to possess a subtle floral honeyed quality with a trace of nuttiness: what a perfect backdrop for sensitive resonances of luscious tropical fruits such as green mango, lychee and mandarin. These notes fairly drip fragrant juice, eschewing any syrupy/sticky quality.

Justin Frederico PBL Labs and Nir Guy

Justin Frederico and Nir Guy photo courtesy of Perfumology©

Perfumer Justin Frederico has accomplished masterful work in his representation of the Spice Islands. It would be all too easy to overdose these tempting pungent essences and thus obscure the tea-like elegance which is the heart of Sudu Te. Instead, Justin utilizes cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, coriander and cardamom as if they were skillful, suggestive brushstrokes in a 14th C. Japanese painting style known as sumi-e. Representation of local flora would be remiss without frangipani and jasmine sambac, which abound in an hospitable climate as well as scented orchids – their legendary come-hither tendrils of scent beckoning throughout the island.

peeling cinnamon bark in Sri Lanka

Man peeling cinnamon photo by Avital Guy©

The surrounding Indian Ocean is beautifully evoked by an aquatic accord (blissfully free of Calone©) in which coconut and sandalwood trees thrive. Sudu Te’s base is a coup: dulcet creamy tones of massoia bark (aka coconut wood) marry with benzoin’s luxe sweet, warm spiciness and buttery sandalwood; they provide a sybaritic cushion for all the sumptuous materials which have been lavished upon this exotic and delicate perfume. Now is the perfect time to travel to Sri Lanka: simply follow the trade winds, and your nose…

Notes: green mango, lychee, mandarin, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, white tea, jasmine sambac, frangipani orchids, cardamom, coriander, aquatic notes, massoia bark (coconut wood), benzoin, Australian sandalwood

Ida Meister and Justin Fredrerico at Perfumology

Ida Meister and Justin Frederico at the Perfumology Clutch launch 2018

My bottle was generously provided by Nir Guy of Perfumology – many thanks!  It was my pleasure and privilege to be the evaluator once again. My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Perfumology Sudu Te perfume review

  Perfumology Sudu Te courtesy of Perfumology (cropped by Michelyn)

 Thanks to the generosity of Nir Guy of Perfumology we have a draw for a 50 ml flacon ($95) of Perfumology Sudu Te which has 25 percent concentration for one registered reader in the USA ONLY. You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you enjoyed most about Ida’s review of Perfumology Sudu Te, if you have tried a Perfumology brand fragrance before. Draw closes 7/26/2021

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38 comments

  • Lora Vencill says:

    Sudu Te sounds fantastic and reading the notes makes me think of luxurious tropical islands that produce these exotic spices, fruits, and flowers. I have never heard of the special white tea used in the scent, but now I want to try that also if I can find it. I enjoyed L’Ima when I had a sample in a subscription box from Nir a couple years ago. Like a walk in a sunlit garden – very comforting and refreshing at the same time.

  • Maryjean says:

    Ida wonderful review. I love how she describes each note and compares it to something found on an island. The white tea makes me want to smell this fragrance. I never sampled from this house. Thank you for this Chance. USA

  • realtyisme says:

    I enjoyed this review. Very detailed and descriptive. Ida perfectly presents this fragrance in her review. I live in the Philadelphia area and shop at Perfumology. A few weeks back, I sampled Sudu Te and the rest was history. This has quickly become one of my favorite “UNIQUE” fragrances. It is the type of fragrance that I will wear, just for the sake of wearing (e.g, working at home alone). It just has a way of making me smile. If this is representative of the essence of Sri Lanka, I will be booking a trip to visit in the near future. Perfumology (Nir), thank you for a wonderful unique fragrance experience.

  • Carol says:

    Nothing equals Idas evocative writing …I could feel myself there swinging in a hammock .
    I love spicy fragrance so please enter me in the draw and thank you so much to Perfumology and Nir for their generosity .
    I am fortunate enough to own bottles of Clutch and Grange and I cannot wait to get my nose on this one !

  • patrick_348 says:

    I most enjoyed Ida’s comments about what makes white tea so special and expensive. I love a well-placed tea note in perfumery and it sounds like Sudu Te lets the white tea take center stage even while it gets lots of support. I have not tried a Perfumology fragrance, but I have been following their releases here on CaFleureBon with great interest. In the US in NC.

  • Brian says:

    I bought Perfumology’s L’Ima earlier this year and I was also sent a sample of “Grange”, “Clutch”, and “Sudu Te”. I think that “L’Ima”, “Grange”, and “Sudu Te” are in a tie for first in regards to my favorite Perfumology fragrances. I’ve truly been enjoying “Sudu Te”. I enjoyed Ida’s review because she understands that fragrance much better than I do; if I were to talk about it, then I would say something like ” I just know that I like it”. I did learn from Ida’s review. I think that the fruit in this fragrance might be my favorite part of it. I live in MD., U.S.A.

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    It was cool to learn about the harvesting of the white tea found in Sri Lanka. This sounds like a fun and unique tropical fragrance to check out. I live in Maryland USA.

  • INYA says:

    I enjoyed reading about the harvesting of the tea leaves. I do seek out lychee at the local fruit markets when in season. It’s unique flavor is superb. I’m curious how it would meld with the white tea and other delightful notes in Sudu Te. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff! Mich USA

  • Uncle1979 says:

    Sri Lanka is not just a Spice Island , but a beautiful country, with interesting cuisine. Mango is wildly used in the local cuisine, in all kinds of dishes, from savory, salty , spicy, to desserts.
    Traditional for the country Mango Kesari , is always served with tea, what I imagined after reading Ida Meister review.
    Perfumology is one of the best places to buy fragrances in the States.Cardboard type of material instead of boxes for their own fragrances, so they can keep the price low, is a nice idea. I own Grange.
    Appreciate Ida Meister review , and the giveaway campaign
    USA

  • cynthia f says:

    I like how Ida describes the use of the spices “cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, coriander and cardamom as if they were skillful, suggestive brushstrokes in a 14th C. Japanese painting style known as sumi-e.” The white tea is described as subtle so I am intrigued to see how these bold spices are combined with a gentle and floral tea. I have not tried this brand before- Clutch sounds very good. Texas, USA.

  • Julesinrose says:

    As always, I enjoyed Ida’s review in full. Thank you for the Sri Lankan travelogue! All the places I will never go to. I do think of perfume as a form of travel, fwiw. In Maine, USA I’ve never tried a Perfumology fragrance and ought to.

  • rachelng says:

    I love Ida’s reviews! I would Love to experience Perfumeology’s Sudu Te! As Ida so wonderfully explains, “it would be all too easy to overdose these tempting pungent essences and thus obscure the tea-like elegance which is the heart of Sudu Te. Instead, Justin utilizes cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, coriander and cardamom as if they were skillful, suggestive brushstrokes in a 14th C. Japanese painting style known as sumi-e.”
    I am most interested in this aspect, how the spices are used to compliment the delicate white tea note. White teas can be creamy & round, and it sounds like it could be a brilliant combination of the mellower aspects of spice. White teas can also be combined with fragrant flowers & fruits as a drink, so I’m curious if there might be any reference in the scent with the jasmine, etc. I’m very interested to explore Perfumeology, especially Clutch (if a scent could transport me back to graduate school in New Hampshire, sounds like it could be this). While I have not had the privilege to try a Perfumeology scent, I look forward to doing so in the future! Thank you so much for this opportunity! USA

  • maps says:

    Great review. I love the amount of research that always goes into Cafleurebon’s reviews, especially Ida’s. I learned a lot about Sri Lanka and the various spices and scents it offers thanks to the review. I feel like I was reading a travel blog and a perfume review in one! Amazing.

    Unfortunately, have never tried a Perfumology fragrance before. Cheers from NC, USA.

  • Ben A says:

    What an evocative review! Tropical fruit + tea + spices sounds lovely. I have never tried a Perfumology fragrance, but I hope to try this! I’m in Oklahohoma, USA. Thanks, as always, for the draw!

  • joshuabrian says:

    Nice review! Pretty cool that the tea is hand harvested during a small amount of time. Have not tried the brand, but sure would love to! From USA.

  • nachdaddy says:

    I love how sudu te is one which thrives naturally in situ that will take you on a expanding journey. I unfortunately have not gotten the chance to smell a perfumology fragrance

  • Steve A says:

    I enjoyed reading about things white tea. I have yet to try something from the brand. US

  • mdellaroc says:

    I tend to really enjoy Ida’s reviews. This one is no exception. The fragrance sounds like a wonderful trip with many of my favorite notes. In maryland.

  • jmmcmenamin says:

    Sri Lanka really does sound like “a perfumista’s dream”. This review made me want to visit. I’ve not tried any of their fragrances before.

  • Barber82 says:

    I am a big believer in herbology, and I also drink White Tea regularly , but what exactly is White Tea is debatable, because there’s no worldwide definition about it. There are dozens of different theories about its origin, who named it first,and especially the manufacturing process. Most consider China to be the country of origin, but a lot of people in Thailand , and Sri Lanka do believe it was imported into China, from their countries.
    The rarest , and maybe most expensive White Tea is Bai Hao Yinzhen , known as Silver Needle in the western world.
    Ceylon White is how Sri Lankan White Tea is called, the two most faked White types of Tea.
    Never been to Perfumology in person, but I ordered online. I have to say i received my Imaginary Authors fragrances in two days. My last order was L’Ima , happy fragrance named after Nir’s mom. Same level of quality, and happiness is what I’m expecting from Sudu Te , i felt it in the review .
    Thanks to Ida , and Perfumology
    USA

  • Trinity33 says:

    What a fascinating history of the Spice Islands! The notes list sounds like a tour through an Indonesian tea house. I’ve had an opportunity to sample white tea from Sri Lanka and it is memorable. Interesting to see green mango and lychee in the too notes. I’ve not tried a Perfumology brand fragrance before, I’m in MD, USA.

  • drjedi says:

    I liked Ida’s description of Perfumology Sudu Te design as similar to that of Japanese painting style of Sumi-e brush paintings. Perfumology Sudu Te seems to be an elegant perfume, and the accompanying travelogue in this enchanting review of tea gardens in Sri Lanka took me away into a beautiful far off land of beguiling beauty and rich history. Unfortunately, no experience with this brand, yet, but from Ida’s description, Perfumology’s creations seem definitely worth trying. Thanks for the review of Perfumology Sudu Te and the draw. I am in the USA.

  • Emily L. says:

    I adore white tea! My appreciation for the fragrance grew when I read Ida’s description about how it’s harvested. I have not tried Perfumology fragrances before but plan on doing so in the near future. ~Indiana, USA

  • EmilyL says:

    I adore white tea! My appreciation for the fragrance grew when I read Ida’s description about how it’s harvested. I have not tried Perfumology fragrances before but plan on doing so in the near future. ~Indiana, USA

  • Christie says:

    A little spicy. A little buttery. Sounds yummy. I appreciate tea in general so I am always curious to smell a new tea fragrance. I loved Ida’s comparison to the use of other fragrance notes as “skillful, suggestive brushstrokes.” The description of Sudu Te makes me think that this is a very smooth and rounded fragrance. I would love to try it. I have not tried a Perfumology brand fragrance before.

    Thanks for the giveaway! In the USA.

  • Gig84 says:

    I’ve heard of Perfumology both on YouTube and on Cafleurebon . Never been there, or ordered from Nir , but all reviews and opinions about the store are positive.
    Clutch is my collection. Received it as gift 2 years ago.
    Clutch…is clutch – delivers every time . Smells like … sitting in front of a campfire , and eating some of my grandma’s cookies. Unusual fragrance, but really pleasing.
    Ida reviews are always so inviting. If I happen to be the winner of Sudu Te , I hope I’ll get the tea , the mango and the sandalwood all together.
    Thanks for the draw
    USA

  • WaltherP99 says:

    Nir is such a great guy. I’ve been to Perfumology a couple of times.Ordered total of 12 bottles there.
    Own Grange Blyss and Clutch – i really like all 3.
    Now the price of all 3 is $95 , but when i bought Blyss the price was a bit less – $85. I’d like to thank Nir for not raising the prices a lot more, like some other niche,and indie brands did last 2 years.
    Service is also great. If i have to rate Perfumology i would give it 9.5 .
    First time i’ve heard Perfumology was in one of MrSillage videos on YouTube. Went there in person because of him to be honest. He was praising Nir and his mom , and also Cafleurebon all the time.
    … RIP Chris
    I like quality tea , I like mango , and even though I’m a extrovert, sometimes I’d like to be alone, on a quiet day with a book in my hand. In those moments I’d wear Sude Te
    Just followed @pbl_labs , the other profiles I already follow.
    Thank you Ida , and Nir
    USA

  • sephrenia300 says:

    What I enjoyed most about Ida’s review is her description of how each of Perfumology’s fragrances had such a specific narrative and backstory. I loved learning about Nir’s mother’s trip to Sri Lanka and the treasures she brought home to share with him. Perfume can be so personal, and can also bring us back such vivid memories, that I don’t doubt he feels transported back to his childhood with every sniff.

    I have not tried a Perfumology brand fragrance before, but now that I know it’s a wine-and-roses tribute to his wife, I am dying to try Blyss! And I am in the US.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    Ida did a wonderful review. I especially enjoyed her description of the notes, and their comparisons. Also, she tied in a history lesson, and some background. Very good, very good.

    I have never tried any Perfumology brand fragrance, but I still have time.

    I live in Waldorf, Maryland, USA.

  • xoe says:

    I love Ida’s writing style. And I loved learning about white tea. I don’t think I’ve ever had a great white tea, only regular store-bought kind. Ida and Perfumology Sudu Te have me regretting that. I don’t think I have ever tried anything from Perfumology. I am in the US (of course).

  • IvanVelikov says:

    Intimate spicy, and fruity tea fragrance, inspired by Sri Lanka forests and White Tea?
    Ok you go my attention with Sudu Te.
    Happy owner of Grange . and i also know Clutch – i bought a sample , when i got my bottle of Grange . To me Clutch is a colder weather fragrance , Grange is more of a spring fragrance , and we have Sudu Te for the summer.
    Oh’ – i also have to say shipping was super fast.
    Thank you all
    USA

  • doveskylark says:

    As a big fan of white tea, I would love to try Sudu Te. White tea is fragrant and it’s a joy to pick out its notes (often floral, honey, or fruit), just like I do when I wear a new fragrance. I am very curious about the aquatic notes in this fragrance. I wonder how they meld with the spice notes. Ida’s review makes me want to visit Sri Lanka. I haven’t tried a fragrance from Perfumology.
    I live in the USA.

  • Laceyastra says:

    What a compelling and evocative review, Ida.
    I can catch imagined olfactory glimpses as you describe the nuances of this very intriguing new scent.
    In addition to the well described notes comprising Sudu Te, what I particularly enjoy about the review are the historical references. As an avid consumer/collector of both perfume & tea, you have truly piqued my interest!

  • petergigov says:

    I like drinking tea , but I’m nowhere near an expert. I can’t distinguish OK tea , from really good, or incomparable White varieties. I trust Ida Meister, and her reviews , she’s impressed by Sudu Te, to me that’s enough.
    Nice giveaway, USA
    Regards

  • Bubeto_GG says:

    Delicately balanced , fresh and delightful tea fragrance , with fruity and woody undertones. My thoughts on Sudu Te.
    Thanks
    USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you for the wonderful review Ida.

    I’ve not tried this house before but I would love to.

    I’m particularly intrigued by the fact that this is a fragrance without calone. I imagine the island of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the Indian ocean, with it’s vibrancy and saltiness and ancient mythology connecting it to the larger subcontinent. The wonderful spices and florals talk to me about the trade between thees coutnries and the beautiful spices (in particular cinnamon) that Sri Lanka is known for. I love how Ida describes the white tea in this fragrance.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • helenlam says:

    This sounds so beautiful. I’d love to go to Sri Lanka and all the notes sound so representative of that area! I also love white tea too. It really sounds like such a masterful blend and my favorite part of the review was finding out that this scent pays homage to the trip his mom took. I’ve never tried anything from this house before. I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    I personally had the opporunity to visit Perfumology to try this fragrance. Nir is such an knowledgable person. I love the dedication of going the extra mile to find rare ingredients in asia to make this fragrance. Love how Ida explained the intricacy of the composition. Iam from PA, USA