GOLDFIELD & BANKS
PACIFIC ROCK FLOWER
2025
PERFUMER
Emilie Bouge
tea tree
coral flower
cocowax
tuberose
patchouli
Sandalwood
sea salt
‘An olfactory interpretation of the white coastal tea tree flower, Pacific Rock Flower blends sea air and florals in a bright, free-spirited composition. This native flower thrives along Australia’s eastern shores, flourishing in the salt spray and sunshine. Its essential oil, drawn from wild tea tree, adds clarity and freshness, layered with luminous notes of tuberose, coral flower, and creamy cocowax. A base of patchouli and Australian sandalwood adds warmth and depth.’ – Goldfield & Banks
Pacific Rock Moss was (is?) one of the highlights or introductions for many to the house of Goldfield & Banks. I reviewed it last in 2024 and quite enjoyed it, but this Pacific Rock Flower deviates far from it and I don’t like the direction it takes.
The opening is fruity to me (to be fair, looking at other reviews, I seem to be alone in this). Looking at the notes, I’m surprised at how fruity it is (some note breakdowns include lemon, but that’s it as far as listed fruits). And yes, to my nose, it has the neon bright, tart lemon, but also a more fruity core in the first 1-2 hours. I was reminded of (canned) pineapple. Maybe mango, but too ripe, too sweet. Fermenting to the point it becomes bordering on spicy.
Mixed with that fruitiness is a sea breeze, aquatic air. You definitely get that herbal aquatic vibe from Pacific Rock Moss in here for a moment, but Pacific Rock Flower smells less clean, and more like the sea-side. It’s surprisingly a rougher, less sophisticated scent; I was expecting a more delicate, softer, floral scent given its name and emphasis on being for men and women (whereas I think Pacific Rock Moss was mostly seen as a male-oriented release).
After a couple of hours when the fruitiness has faded, the salty breeze becomes my favorite aspect of Pacific Rock Flower. I’d go as far as to say, it’s the saving grace for me, as the base underneath it feels like harsh, unpleasant wearing amber woods. It smells almost rotten to my nose, like old driftwood. I picture wood that has burnt nutty tinges and metallic tinges.
Which brings me to the namesake ‘flower’… I’m not smelling much of those. It’s just a first time wear, but from this experience I can’t say that it wears floral. Store descriptions that I read beforehand (for example used on the LuckyScent site) mention ‘soft creamy tuberose’ as a key element, but soft and creamy would be among the last keywords that spring to mind.
Not terrible, but definitely not what I was expecting or what I enjoy wearing. I’d much prefer Pacific Rock Moss, but the previous year’s Mystic Bliss for an aromatic Goldfield & Banks.