Kilauea Olympic Orchids Artisan Perfumes 2018

Opens as bubble-gummy, gentle florals with a faint touch of spice. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s not very special either. I was hoping for lava, minerals, hot rocks, smoke, something volcanic. Instead, it feels like a polite tropical floral.

There’s no burning vegetation, no scorched earth, no sense of molten chaos. The projection is very weak and it settles fast. Within about 15 minutes the florals fade away and you’re left with a soft, creamy, resinous benzoin base that leans slightly vanillic. Nice enough, but tame.

In the deep, deep drydown it becomes a blend of styrax and benzoin, but it’s so weak by that point that the styrax isn’t even smoky. Styrax can absolutely imitate lava, it can smell like burning tires. It just needed a heavier hand.

What disappoints me most is the description. It promises the end of the world, lava swallowing a paradise island, dramatic apocalyptic energy. In reality, it’s more like a calm beach day with a light breeze. Definitely not a dinosaur rampage like Tyrannosaurus Rex...

Overall, not terrible, just underwhelming. Weak as hell.

APRIL '26 UPDATE - As we turn the corner here into spring in Los Angeles, I busted my old sample of this out to give it another go. Was reminded of how nice-smelling and unique this is. It is both unique AND objectively good smelling, which can be rare. What's even more impressive, it's floral overall but it still leans masculine - super rare for a floral scent. To give you some idea, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is feminine only and 10 is masculine only, I'd say this is a 5.5 or 6. This time around it smelled less like sunscreen (see original review) and more just the "vibrating florals" smell (also from original review). But boy, this vibrating florals is great. Mild longevity and projection. Best for spring, second-best summer. I just ordered a bottle.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: The perfumer's inspiration for this scent was a volcano eruption Hawaii, where smells of the exuding lava mixed with the burned vegetation and burned flowers. Evocative image . . . I can see it fitting, sort of - but that's not what came to my mind prior to reading about the inspiration.

Prior to reading about the inspiration or looking at the official scent notes, my experience was this: sun screen. Overall, that's what it smells like. But that's just first glance, because it's actually complex, interesting, and quite nice. It kind of starts to hum or vibrate . . . and I couldn't quite place what I was smelling, but it's the floral notes. So this is sort of a sunscreen-y and floral scent that kind of vibrates, kind of like how a hot and moist environment feels like it's vibrating in high humidity. Or how cicadas make a rhythmic humming sound. I'm on the fence; It's kinda cool. However, projection was weak, and in around 30 minutes it was a skin scent only. Longevity was only low-to-moderate (3-4 hours.)

This didn't really live up to expectations. On me, this is a indolic floral with a bit of spice, which is very pretty, but there isn't a hint of lava. I didn't find it especially smoky either. The listed notes don't include any indolic white flowers, but I could swear they were there.

I do like the way the vanilla and nutmeg are done here. I think Dr. Covey showed a deft touch with the spices. Along with the florals, it is just a gorgeous combo. The Frankincense is a good fit for the florals and spices.

I was disappointed in the longevity of my first two tests, lasting barely four hours. It may perform better when it's more humid. It did seem rather linear. The florals hold center stage throughout the life of the fragrance.

Finally, this is highly subjective, of course, but this doesn't strike me as a unisex fragrance. It leans very feminine, but that is just my perception. Anyone who likes sweet, spicy florals might love this. All told, it's nice, but as florals go, it's a bit run-of-the-mill. I'll have fun with my mini, but I won't purchase it again.

Please forgive reporting, but like a total derp, I posted this review under the wrong Olympic Orchids scent.

It smells burnt, uncontrolled fire spreads.
Resinous smoke drifts by in thick swirls.
I can hardly catch my breath.
Too much. Too intense. Too close.
Oppressive, disturbing.
I seek support.
Nothing.
Then away!
I run and run.
Down the sticky street.
Chased by the smoky resin.
Like a lava flow, it follows behind me.
I stop and turn around … nothing.
What was that? A bad dream?
The smoky mist unexpectedly lifts.
And reveals a wide field full of soft vanilla-sandalwood blossoms.

Dr. Ellen Covey tells the story of the destruction caused by the volcanic eruption in Hawaii with this fragrance and how new life emerges on the black lava desert. It's no wonder that the scent initially grabbed and disturbed me intensely. I find it stirring and borderline. With the unexpected transformation after a good hour, it offers reconciliation and brings peace and tranquility back to the soul.
Kilauea is for me a very interesting olfactory experience, but certainly not a perfume.