CLIVE CHRISTIAN
STRANGE HEAVENS OUT OF THE BLUE

2025

aniseed
pink pepper
coffee

jasmine
orange blossom
addictive fusion

cocoa
vanilla caramel
smoke fusion

‘A paradoxical perfume consisting of 25% perfume oil concentration. Strange Heavens Out Of The Blue opens with an awakening of coffee and aniseed before hypnotic notes of Jasmine, Orange Flower and the exclusive Addictive Fusion Accord lures you in. At it’s base, entrancing notes of Cocoa Absolute, Vanilla Caramel and Smoke Fusion linger, leaving a lasting and unforgettable trail. Addictive Arts uses pioneering perfume technology that is breaking boundaries in the world of niche perfume. Clive Christian’s Addictive Fusion uses headspace technology which captures molecules through an alchemical process unique to the perfume house.’ – Clive Christian

I’d heard good things about Strange Heavens ever since it was announced at TFWA Cannes After wearing it; it does live up to the hype for me, but as a scent, it’s completely different from what I expected.

This mainly comes down to the gourmand aspect, which to my nose, there is practically none of. Sure, there’s some dry coffee (patchouli-amber) and a bit of vanilla sweetness, but I would never view this fragrance as a gourmand, which is mainly what I’d been hearing.

Instead, this is a full white floral scent, closest related to the brand’s Jump Up And Kiss Me – Ecstatic. It’s arguably more floral and brighter, with a similar indolic, daring edge. Jasmine and orange blossom are listed in the notes; personally, I was reminded mostly of bubblegummy, yet indolic, tuberose throughout a lot of the wear.

Suprisingly, I wouldn’t even see this as a sweet or ‘gourmand’ take on that floral core. At least not until the drydown. Instead, it opens brighter; aromatic and citrussy. I saw several reviews calling Strange Heavens very feminine, but I disagree. Florals, of course are quickly seen as traditionally feminine, but this is a daring take & the aromatic opening, reminds me more of some men’s aftershaves, than it does of anything else. Including coffee, caramel or vanilla. It’s quite green and sharp, reminding me of a fizzy, ‘healthy’ lemonade at times.

There’s a dry coffee/cacao powder in here somewhere. After a while, I more so get a patchouli-ish, semi-sweet base as in Blonde Amber, but it’s more of an afterthought here, with the Ecstatic-esque focus on white florals. And those florals have a sweetness, but it’s still bubblegummy, perhaps a tad fruity and tangy, with an indol bitterness.

Overall, really nice. This feels like a quality, proper ‘niche’ product; somewhat unique, for as far as anything is unique. Arguably redundant, but in my opinion a bit easier to like, alongside Ecstatic. Buyer beware if you’re expecting a strong gourmand side however. I will wear it again and revise my review if needed, but on first wear, this basically wears like a completely different genre on me than what I’ve read in other reviews.