ROJA PARFUMS
Rose PARFUM

2016

PERFUMER
Roja Dove

bergamot

geranium
rose de mai
ylang-ylang

galbanum
cinnamon
nutmeg
pepper
patchouli
benzoin
vanilla
birch
musk

‘I wanted to create a very modern Rose, which keeps unfurling, like the blossom itself which slowly opens to reveal its full beauty.’ – Roja Dove

Rose Parfum is a Roja that I hadn’t seen much and never had a chance to smell, before (blind)buying it at a very reasonable price. No regrets.

This seems to be considered Roja’s take on Guerlain Nahema and I can see that; as a green, unisex rose. I have sampled a vintage Nahema a while back, but can’t tell from memory how close they really are.

This is surprisingly mossy and vintage smelling. Especially with Roja saying that he ‘wanted to create a very modern rose’ for this one. Instead, on first spray, it took me back to aged chypre-roses like my Miss Dior EDT bottle from 1970.

Green, floral (not quite getting a full-on rose myself), mixed with really nice acidity from bergamot, mixed with a slightly sweetened green base. Moss isn’t listed, but maybe it’s just the association I have with this style (also recalling my vintage Mitsouko drydown slightly).

I presume the ylang-ylang (another nod to Nahema/Mitsouko) is adding a slight fruity, tropical tinge that also reminds me of Ralph Lauren Safari.

The opening hour, with the big dose of bergamot is probably my favorite. As it dries, it’s warmer and growing quite spicy. Even to the point where it’s not miles apart from something akin to Enigma Pour Homme.

Overall, this is one of the best Roja’s I’ve put my nose on, the quality is top-notch and this is one of my more successful blind-buys to date.