BOADICEA THE VICTORIOUS
OPAL
2025
bergamot
black pepper
cinnamon
bay leaf
metallic notes
saffron
coffee
cocoa
lavender
clary sage
geranium
rose
davana
nutmeg
orris
suede
patchouli
sandalwood
cedarwood
cashmeran
moss
tonka bean
musk
‘Boadicea the Victorious is famed for making decadent perfumes that do more than just linger on the skin. As a pure perfume, this scent is unapologetically confident in its delivery of its decadent fragrant notes. Rather than adding floral lightness, rose and violet provide a headiness, especially when mixed with deep, smooth and earthy black coffee notes.’ – Harrods
Sometimes, the really expensive fragrances (Opal retails for €1080) are automatically disappointing, even if they’re good; the price negates the positives too much, unless there’s an instant feeling of it being ‘special’ enough. Now, I’m not claiming that I think Opal is worth its price for me, nor do I have the funds or intent to ever buy it unless my financial situation drastically changes… but it makes me wish that was the case. If you’re going to spend that amount of money on a fragrance, Opal is one of the few that fully delivers excellence.
It’s one of the more complex, well-rounded and stunning fragrances that I’ve smelled in a while. I feel like there is little brightness at first, but due to the flowers (rose) having a citrussy edge, it has enough levity to not feel too monotone from start to finish.
I feel like there’s a lot going on here, but based on my first wear, I’d say what stands out most to me is a mushy, earthy, smooth, orris-loaded woodiness. Kind of like the pulpy, aged sandalwood vibe that I get from Amouage Lustre, but with a more pronounced floral side in Opal and everything feels a tad more precise and distinct.
I’d say orris, sandalwood, warm spices & rose are stand-out notes on my skin. Kind of like an elevated Maison Sybarite Bed Of Roses.
It feels blended really well, into a smooth, bordering on creamy and buttery whole, but without losing all of the character of individual scents.
It doesn’t get as sugary sweet as Lustre, nor is the leathery tinge strong, but sticks to a more sophisticated iris-woodiness that I prefer.
Lustre was one of my favorite fragrances of 2024, and Bed Of Roses ranked among my discoveries high the year prior. So Opal being a clear step up, ensures its place amongst the very best of 2025 for me.