FRAGRANCE | Crab Apple Blossom Perfume by Clive Christian: A smooth blend of fresh and creamy

halfwhiteboy - Clive Christian Crab Apple Blossom Perfume 01

I, coming from this part of the tropics, crabapple trees are alien to me. That said, I have no idea how crabapple blossom smells like. Just the same, I got hold of Clive Christian's Crab Apple Blossom, which was released in 2020. It's my first Clive. Because of its prohibitive pricing, it's a house I'm not really willing to explore. I simply lucked out on a good deal with this one.

In terms of presentation, Clive Christian delivers, generally at least. Sure, the bottle may not be that exquisite or outright stunning (stuck in its classical but boring design) but I appreciate the premium treatment given to the box. It's thick and cushioned, which keeps the bottle perfectly safe.

Crab Apple Blossom's opening is marked by a bitter citrus note, bergamot to be exact, mixed with an unmistakably salty accord. Though not exactly the same, it calls to mind the saltiness in fragrances like Un Jardin Sur La Lagune by Hermès and Diptyque's Florabellio. There's also some floral elements weaving about but they're too mild to make an impact to the overall scent profile.

halfwhiteboy - Clive Christian Crab Apple Blossom Perfume 02

Then there's the mojito, which I find more intense than how it's treated in Guerlain Homme, a common reference when it comes to fragrances showcasing this accord. Nevertheless, it's fresh, and the addition of rhubarb takes it in a whole different direction. Speaking of rhubarb, it's not the succulent kind I've come to know from Hermès's Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate. It's dry with nary any sweetness but is nonetheless lovely.

While all this is happening, there's this creamy, coconut-like accord that has been slowly building up from the very beginning. There are already hints of it upon first spray but it takes its time before going on full bloom with its creaminess. And it works well with the saltiness and all that's happening around. Given its scent profile, Crab Apple Blossom seems most appropriate for daytime wear. It shines in warm weather although I don't think it will totally be out of place when it's cold. The fragrance projects moderately for the most part and lasts relatively long, albeit with diminished power after its first couple of hours.

Clive Christian's Crab Apple Blossom doesn't strike me as that complex of a fragrance but it could just be my ridiculous, personal bias because it's not a linear scent at all. It develops, and it develops quite nicely. Moreover, it's blended smoothly. Maybe I'm jaded because of how much it costs but honestly, when I remove the price out of the equation, it's a beautiful fragrance that's well worth a try.

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