Consort Boadicea the Victorious 2016

Next to my signature scent, Midnight Degree, I was once again on the lookout for a summer fragrance that is fresh and distinctive. I hadn't even considered Boadicea's Fire Collection here. I do know and appreciate a few scents from the line very much. However, they don't necessarily convey the aspect of freshness for me.

I should perhaps briefly mention that for me, a suitable summer fragrance, alongside perfect longevity (even in high temperatures), primarily includes pepper, bergamot (or other citrus accords), vetiver, and musk. Well, these can be found in several hundred fragrances in one combination or another. But when I stumbled upon Consort from one of my favorite brands, I once again forgot the scars of blind buys. Or at least almost. When you start to research, you come across "Hero" and "Notorious," but not any useful reviews for "Consort." Even on Parfumo, the scent is still a blind spot. Similarly, it is challenging to somehow track down a sample of the fragrance. Let's just say, I was intrigued.

When I tested the fragrance this morning, I was immediately struck by: "Wait a minute, I know this..."
Fresh bergamot, entwined with restrained pepper. The vetiver (known from Vetiver Imperiale) radiates wonderfully from the base, already shining through from the very beginning. A subtle bright wood note, like freshly sawn, structures between the poles. The white florals likely soften it a bit, but are only perceptible here and there with a lot of imagination. A real hit.

The (current) classification of "woody-earthy" is really confusing and has probably contributed to the fact that this fragrance has been neglected for so long. Consort is spicy-woody-fresh. Perhaps a bit citrusy as well. The vetiver is herbaceous-green, but still fresh. Patchouli is not even remotely perceptible.

The longevity and sillage are typical of BtV and beyond all doubt. On me, the scent lasts well over 8+ hours, even in the current 30+ degrees. The dry down is beautifully relaxed musk and amber, with a dimming vetiver. Simply perfect.

Since it always makes sense to create a picture with other (more well-known and widespread) fragrances, I would like to attempt this now. In my perception, Consort is about 80% comparable to the scent mood of Roja's Elysium p.h. Parfum (!) I would even go so far as to say they could pass as scent twins. Additionally, there is about 15% Vetiver Imperial. (By far the most beautiful vetiver for me at the moment.) The last 5% are attributed to the Fire Collection DNA, which is typical of BtV.

I can therefore recommend this fragrance to anyone who likes Elysium but is also somewhat concerned about the price. To anyone who appreciates noticeable vetiver (and perhaps has fallen for Vetiver Imperial). To anyone looking for a summer fragrance that shines and somehow always fits.