AN OLFACTIVE INTRODUCTION TO... DAPHNE BOUQUET

As the crisp frost fades to distant memory, spring dawns in all its dewy splendour. With it comes the scent of the daphne, an elegant flower that blossoms between the changing seasons. Created in support of The King’s Foundation, this limited-edition eau de parfum is a tribute to woodland vibrant florals found in the gardens of Highgrove House, the home of HRH King Charles III. This vibrant scent opens with blackcurrant leaf and daphne, ending with an earthy dry-down of moss and vetiver. ​

Now, time to take a stroll around Highgrove Gardens, wouldn’t you say?

BLACKCURRANT LEAF​

Opening the fragrance are vibrant notes of blackcurrant leaf. Interestingly enough, the scent of the blackcurrant leaf isn’t derived from the leaf itself, but the leaf buds through solvent extraction. What’s left is a complex essence that is uniquely green and slightly tart, with nuances of fresh herbs and a delicate, almost fruity sweetness. At the top of Daphne Bouquet, there’s an invigorating burst of freshness, something bright and crisp with a juicy green undertone to it. This note lingers on the skin long enough to leave a lasting impression, helping to ground the rest of the composition as it evolves.

DAPHNE FLOWER

The daphne is found in The Stumpery, which draws inspiration from the Victorian tradition of growing ferns between the cracks and crevices of mossy upturned tree stumps. It blossoms on the cusp of spring at a time of changing seasons. When the flower blooms in all its rosy glory, a crisp, citrus-sweet scent bursts forth. Daphne is the scent of early spring; of dewy mornings, pastel colours, crisp weather, sweet apples. It enhances the fresh facets of a scent, creating a sense of gentle elegance.

MOSS

A classic ingredient in perfumery, moss has been used in fragrance as early as the 16th century and for good reason. Its earthy green facets add a captivating richness to a scent, evoking images of a wild, untamed forest – much like the Stumpery at Highgrove Gardens with its tranquil, atmospheric environment. Moss is often used as a base note to anchor lighter floral and citrus elements, much like the daphne accord and blackcurrant leaf in this bouquet. By allowing these notes to blossom, it enriches the vibrant green nature of Daphne Bouquet that feels both grounded and elevated at the same time.