CLIVE CHRISTIAN
Crab Apple Blossom
2020
PERFUMER
Kamila Lelakova
Apple Blossom
bergamot
marine notes
mint
sugar
Rhubarb
Driftwood
Sandalwood
‘Undoubtedly one of the Crown Perfumery Company’s most renowned creations, this exquisite perfume traces its origins back to 1886. Its inception was inspired by the fragrant blooms of a crab apple tree gracing the founder’s Kensington residence in London, and he was the first perfumer to capture this unique essence. This invigorating Citrus Aquatic perfume, with a complexity of 151 ingredients, artfully encapsulates the quintessential springtime allure of Apple Blossom and the exotic nuance of Marine Bergamot in its sparkling opening notes. At the heart, zesty green rhubarb imparts a crisp, bittersweet facet, akin to wandering through an English garden, beautifully harmonised with a refreshing mint and sugar accord. A sophisticated, robust base is elevated by the finest velvety sandalwood and enriched by the aromatic allure of driftwood to form a fresh, energising yet soft scent.’ – Clive Christian
If memory serves me right, Crab Apple Blossom was the first Clive Christian that I’d ever worn, however I never wrote down my thoughts. About 4 years later, I revisited this still relatively popular freshie and I think it’s a stellar release for what it is.
I say for what it is, because this is neither a mind blowing fragrance, nor a particularly unique style. It has the green citrussy hues and florals with a non-descript aquatic vibe that has been done quite a few times. However, Crab Apple Blossom is one of the best in its class (also one of the most expensive though).
Often, with these aquatic citrussy scents, I find it the scent to be unnatural, plasticy, overdosed in white musks. Often feeling a bit screechy or growing too bitter or sweet, with green citrus feeling like neon colored highlights. While Crab Apple Blossom is quite acidic and retains its brightness well, I feel that it’s somewhat mature and not too rough around the edges. It never grows too far away from it’s freshness either. It’s a difficult balance to master, but this fragrance does it excellently.
Not overly aquatic; it has a hint of chlorine water, more so than (salty) sea water to me, so it feels ‘watery’, but not necessarily as a marine-like quality. You get this grassy-ish, green citrus, like lemongrass. There’s a mint and sugar accord listed, that others have listed as a Mojito accord and I could definitely see a ‘cocktail’ vibe in Crab Apple Blossom, at times vaguely going in the direction of Guerlain Homme EDP. It’s not overly sugary mind you, although there is some sweetness introduced along the way. I wouldn’t have been surprised if there was (bitter) almond listed for the notes for example.
Rhubarb can be a fickle note to enjoy, but I can’t say I get a specific rhubarb scent here. I don’t remember if I did some years prior, but the overall scent registers as much more floral with citrus edges, than any other types of fruitinessg for me. Instead it feels like it grows a bit spicy and as expected more woody along the way. It has always reminded me of Roja Parfums Oceania, although I never tried them close to each other and I’m not sure which I’d prefer.
Overall, a well-constructed, good fresh scent that would undoubtedly be one of my first picks in this broad direction, although pricey and you won’t see me buying it for my collection any time soon.